We recently connected with Armando Silvas and have shared our conversation below.

Armando, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I believe that the most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is the one that I’m currently making now. I’m producing/directing a feature documentary on Lloyd Kaufman – the President of Troma Entertainment and creator of “The Toxic Avenger”. I met Lloyd in 2023 when I was making my first feature film while I was a graduate student at Stephen F. Austin State University. I’ve kept in contact with Lloyd since then and I’m lucky to call him my friend. After working with him I quickly wanted to make another movie and involve him again in some way. At some point I realized that not only did I want to make a movie with Lloyd, but I wanted to make a movie about Lloyd.

As a filmmaker, I’ve always admired Lloyd’s resourcefulness and dedication to his work that he’s continued to this day for over 50 years in the business. Many are unaware of how influential he is to cinema, and I hope this documentary can help change that. James Gunn, who went on to write/direct “Superman” (2025) and Trey Parker and Matt Stone of “South Park” started with Lloyd and helped launch their careers. While on a drive with Lloyd in 2023 on our way to film his scene for my movie we went through my hometown of Cleveland, Texas. I realized that the person that had a major influence on me perusing film was now right here with me in the small town where younger me dreamed of making movies. Lloyd has been a mentor and a friend, someone who welcomed me into his world with kindness, humor, and that trademark independent spirit. To be able to call him a friend is something I’ll always treasure, and it makes telling his story all the more personal and meaningful. Knowing Lloyd and working on this film has given me so many opportunities. Which now being a high school film teacher, is one of the things I strive to give my students.

I’ve launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise extra funds for the production of the documentary and get fans involved. For those that donate you’ll receive one of a kind rewards that you won’t find anywhere else. Producers attached to the film are Derek Wayne Johnson, producer/director of “John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs” and “40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic”, and Ernie O’ Donnell, producer of Kevin Smith’s “Clerks III” and “The 4:30 Movie”. The link to the campaign is in this article.

Armando, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an independent filmmaker and high school film teacher at Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, Texas. I graduated at Stephen F. Austin State University with my BFA in filmmaking in 2020 and MFA in filmmaking in 2024. I wrote/directed/edited my first feature film, “The Russian at Christmas”, while I was a graduate student at SFA. That movie was selected to play at Smodcastle Film Festival hosted by Kevin Smith in 2024. I’ve worked on numerous feature films and short films in various roles and my own work can be seen on my YouTube channel.

I’m currently in my 2nd year of teaching at Mount Vernon High School where I also coach/sponsor the UIL Film team. This was the first time the school had participated in UIL Film and after a lot of hard work we advanced to the state level, coming in 4th overall in our division. This was thanks to all the hard work and dedicated students that I had with me, which helps make my job a lot easier. This is a competition where students write, direct, shoot, and edit their own short films with a coach to supervise and give notes.

As an educator I try to give students opportunities that I wish I had when I was their age. While I was a high school student, there weren’t any film classes available. I also took students on trips to see my own feature film at SFA where I was invited to give a talk and Q&A for it, and visit Trouble Maker Studios in Austin, Texas owned by Robert Rodriguez where “Spy Kids”, “Predators”, “Alita Battle Angel”, and more were filmed at.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal in whatever I’m creating is usually to just try to get the idea out of my head and get it made. I think that’s what a lot of artists feel like. In my case, I’ll have a great idea for a movie and if I don’t act quick to get it out, it’ll always bother me. I’m going through this right now with my Lloyd Kaufman documentary. Besides knowing that he is someone that deserves a very well made documentary, I know I want it to get made too. Whenever things get too overwhelming I have to tell myself, “You wanted this.” Which is honestly the truth. I’ll move mountains to make whatever I’m working on happen. Apart from that, I try and think of the end goal. I imagine a room full of people watching the movie that I and so many other people worked so hard to make happen and enjoy it. Maybe I’ll even inspire other artists to do the same.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think anyone that is a teacher is automatically resilient. If you’re not, soon you’ll start to be. People call me crazy to be a filmmaker while being a teacher at the same time, and they may be right. But then again, if it were easy then everyone would do it. Now, it is incredibly difficult to balance both of those two jobs. It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to teach in general as new changes around the country start to happen. But I push through because I love to create and teach. I also do it to set an example to my students. I love to see that spark and motivation ignite when I tell them I interviewed Catherine Corcoran from “Terrifier” for my movie (pictured below). With that being said, I’m still learning as a teacher. I’m a firm believer that everyday is a school day no matter what your profession is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lloyd-feature-documentary-on-lloyd-kaufman#/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armando_silvasjr?igsh=MWNjOWJteGFwYmljNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armando.silvas.3705
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@armandosilvasjr.6019