Carla Castellanos

I am a French-Mexican filmmaker and mother based in Portland, Oregon, with over a decade of experience directing across narrative, commercial, and branded storytelling. I have directed projects ranging from global campaigns for brands such as Uber and Chevrolet, to digital content for Warner Bros. and Universal, as well as collaborations with design studios and cultural institutions. Across this work, I have developed a strong visual sensibility and a collaborative approach.

In recent years, my focus has shifted toward narrative filmmaking. Since 2025, I have been developing projects that explore memory, social class, and belonging, including two short films currently in development and pre-production: Lázaro, about a teenager who is discovering his true self in Mexico City, and La Espera, about an undocumented Mexican house cleaner who must outmaneuver the sudden ICE presence in her workplace to reach her daughter’s
school before pickup.

Unidad, my first feature-length project, is inspired by people and experiences from my upbringing in Mexico City. Through the story of two brothers navigating systemic inequality, the film explores how structures of power shape identity, desire, and survival.

As a director, I am drawn to intimate, character-driven storytelling and grounded visual language. I am particularly interested in the tension between external systems and internal emotional worlds. I aim to expand my practice into feature filmmaking while continuing to develop a voice that is both personal and socially engaged.