We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Galindo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.
Kelly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I embarked on my creative career quite early, beginning in childhood. By the age of 17, I had already started my professional journey in the entertainment industry as a model and dancer. This early exposure paved the way for my transition to acting and choreography, and by 21, I was working as a professional actor in film and television. My academic achievements culminated with a master’s degree at 38, leading to a professorship by the age of 40. Reflecting on my career, I am grateful for the early start. It provided a solid foundation and ample time to develop my directing career in theater and film. Starting early not only allowed me to accumulate a wealth of experiences but also gave me the opportunity to refine my skills over the years, enhancing my contributions to both theater and film as a director and producer.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For those encountering my work for the first time, I’m deeply embedded in the world of filmmaking, with a special focus on documentaries that address critical global issues. My journey into this field was driven by a desire to create meaningful, impactful art. Through my films, I seek to illuminate the darkest corners of human experience, including the devastating industry of global sex trafficking. This issue, which affects countless children and women worldwide, compelled me to use my creative talents and resources as a film professor to make a difference.
My approach to filmmaking is hands-on and immersive. To truly tell the stories of those trapped in the sex trade, I believed it was essential to visit the countries affected and meet the victims personally. This journey brought me face-to-face with the harrowing realities of human trafficking, but also introduced me to the incredible work of nonprofit organizations dedicated to rescuing, restoring, and reintegrating survivors. These organizations are the unsung heroes of this tragic story, and my films aim to highlight their critical work.
Creating awareness through my documentaries is a starting point, but I believe in inspiring action. It’s a call to arms for everyone to take responsibility and contribute to the fight against this form of modern-day slavery. The battle against sex trafficking requires not only a collective of heroes but also the engagement of ordinary individuals who believe in making a difference.
I am most proud of the tangible impact my work has had on both raising awareness and galvanizing action against human trafficking. What sets my brand apart is this unwavering commitment to not just storytelling, but storytelling with a purpose—a call to action that resonates with a global audience. To potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that every piece of work I create is an invitation to join me in this vital conversation, to learn, and most importantly, to act. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Charting the path of my social media audience development has been a journey as profound as the stories I seek to tell. After traversing 9 countries across Asia to Africa, and the United States, I crafted a documentary short focused on sex tourism in Thailand and Cambodia titled ’26 Seconds,’ which was honored with over 20 awards. The advent of the pandemic marked a pivotal shift in my approach, steering my efforts towards leveraging social media platforms like X, Instagram, and especially YouTube to further the reach of the ’26 Seconds’ documentary project. We crafted over 20 videos to give survivors a voice and showcase the invaluable work of our nonprofit partners dedicated to prevention, rescue, restoration, and reintegration.
Post-pandemic, my focus expanded to completing the feature documentary – ’26 Seconds: ISIS Sex Slaves,’ which recently debuted on Epoch TV. This project, like its predecessors, aims to ignite a call to action and broaden awareness on a platform that reaches a global audience.
For those at the inception of their social media journey, my advice is simple yet profound: Anchor your efforts in your passion and mission. The adage ‘build the track, and the train will come’ rings especially true in the realm of social media. Authenticity resonates, and a genuine commitment to your cause will naturally attract an audience that shares your values and vision. Concentrate on creating content that reflects your core message and fosters engagement with a community that is equally passionate about making a difference. In doing so, you’ll not only build your presence but also contribute to a larger movement towards positive change.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In my over two decades as an artist within the entertainment industry, I encountered the challenge of ageism, a pervasive issue that many actresses face. This reality prompted me to make a significant pivot: transitioning from being in front of the camera to taking on roles behind it as a director, producer, and educator. This shift was not just a response to the barriers presented by ageism but also an opportunity to redefine my contribution to the film industry.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed a positive evolution in how the industry views age, especially for women—a change I wholeheartedly support and take pride in. However, my personal journey underscored the importance of turning challenges into opportunities. The proverbial ‘lemons to lemonade’ adage was very much a reality for me. What appeared as obstacles were, in fact, hidden blessings.
Pivoting from an actor to a filmmaker has been one of the most rewarding transformations of my career. It taught me that sometimes, our greatest advancements come from embracing change and transforming our adversities into strengths. To my peers, both in business and creativity, I share this: Embrace the pivots. They are often the universe’s way of steering us toward paths we might never have explored otherwise. My pivot not only allowed me to continue my passion for storytelling but also to influence the next generation of storytellers as a professor. For that, I am profoundly grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.26secondsdoc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/26secondsdoc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/26secondsdoc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgalindo/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/26secondsdoc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@26Seconds
- Other: Epoch TV: https://www.epochtv.shop/26seconds IMDB – Kelly Galindo: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0302170/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1%E2%80%8B IMDB – 26 Seconds – ISIS Sex Slaves: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27558470/reference/ IMDB – 26 Seconds Documentary Short: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6669858/
Image Credits
Kelly Galindo Productions LLC