We were lucky to catch up with Diego Lopez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Two years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Shoshana Johnson, a trailblazing figure as the first black female POW in United States history. Her remarkable story, which I was previously unaware of, deeply moved me. With utmost respect, I approached her and requested the honor of crafting a scripted movie based on her life. She graciously granted me the privilege to proceed, and thus, my journey began.

Fast-forward to the present day, and our project has garnered support from industry giants. We are proud to be sponsored by Arri, the world’s leading camera company, and Aperture, renowned for their prestigious lighting solutions. Together, we have successfully produced a compelling short film that has received accolades from three distinct film festivals.

The culmination of our efforts will be the world premiere of the film at the El Paso Film Festival on September 30th. Our overarching mission is to share the story of an American hero. Through this cinematic portrayal, we aim to ensure that Shoshana Johnson’s name becomes a household one, inspiring people with her tale of unwavering resilience, her journey through adversity, and her remarkable grace in the face of it all.

Diego , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a dedicated filmmaker with a mission to craft stories that inspire individuals to lead better lives, much as I have been inspired in my own journey. My passion for filmmaking ignited during my youth when, armed with my father’s camcorder, my brother, cousin, and I embarked on creating home movies. From tales of cowboys and drug dealers to rock stars, our imaginative endeavors laid the foundation for my lifelong connection with storytelling.

Our movie-watching experiences, which ranged from heroes vanquishing dragons to battling evil space empires, left an indelible mark on my existence. These narratives instilled in me a profound desire to live a purposeful life and provided me with the courage and determination to confront my own metaphorical dragons.

My cinematic odyssey has propelled me to strive for projects that have a positive impact on people’s lives. Over the past five years, I’ve been honored to serve as the cinematographer for a documentary addressing childhood sexual assault. Our aspiration is for this documentary to premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Notably, it serves as a sequel to a film that graced Sundance screens two decades ago, and our hopes are high that it will resonate deeply with audiences, encouraging those in need to seek help and inspiring others to discover their inner strength.

I approach my career with unwavering dedication, pouring my heart and soul into every endeavor. Like a martial artist devoted to daily training, I continuously hone my skills, constantly learning and evolving. This commitment ensures that I approach each project as a humble student, striving for perfection day in and day out.

My primary goal is to provide my clients with a nurturing environment in which their creativity can flourish. Through my lens, I capture exquisite images that convey emotion and meaning, translating their ideas onto the screen and fostering a sense of safety and collaboration throughout the filmmaking process.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I make it a daily practice to immerse myself in the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” and “The Greatest Salesman in the World.” Among my daily rituals is the profound act of engaging with the scrolls from “The Greatest Salesman,” which I listen to three times a day. These scrolls impart stoic philosophies that guide one on how to lead a purposeful life, instilling invaluable habits that enable self-improvement and pave the way for success in any undertaking.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Ultimately, my aspiration is to leave a positive impact on our planet. I envision my work serving as an inspiration for individuals to become better versions of themselves and to nurture a collective commitment to caring for one another and our precious planet.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dlopezfilms.com
• Instagram: @eolumpas @grace.themovie