Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Georgina Tolentino. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Georgina, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most recent meaningful project was “No Dogs” which is being made into a feature about the Watsonville riots. The short film (available on YouTube), centers around two characters on the opposite side of a race riot, stuck in a diner and confronting their views.

The project was created during the pandemic as a short and I had the privilege to work with Alex Fabros, a historical consultant specializing in Asian American studies and Filipino American history. This project was truly meaningful in seeing his work be reflected in media and being able to reach young people. I believe knowledge is power, and sometimes hidden histories don’t get the access they deserve. But seeing young people and new generation share how this knowledge empowered them about Filipino history is truly meaningful . The world we live in now could really use important conversations , and a lesson to not repeat history.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For me, I have always loved acting, and filmmaking. But to take my power into my own hands , producing your own work is crucial. I find more strength and fulfillment in also finding vehicles for me to act. After the Bell productions, I decided to finally land on a name that means a lot to me. When I was in high school, lots of our programs were cut including the main ones that would get us into a premier University. So many teachers, stayed after school to teach us those classes for free. They were called seventh or eighth period. “After the bell” reminds me even how much harder I work to fight for important stories and my colleagues as well. Sometimes you just have to work a little harder. It’s to honor the supportive, kind people on my journey.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to be a part of the vehicle of storytelling through film and media that will change peoples’ hearts and make the world a better place. To inspire meaningful dialogue and cause social impact. To make sure representation is happening. The more media reflects the real world the more compassionate and accepting people can be of others. The more we understand each other the more we can find common ground.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I think unlearning “this is not for us.” Growing up with immigrant parents, I think there was a lot of fear of taking up space and being seen. I think even to be ambitious in the arts wasn’t encouraged overall , aside from my father but not so much in the grander community groups. It was almost looked down upon to be a filmmaker. With this attitude “who do you think you are?” was constantly being asked. And I think that comes from projections of people’s own limits. I learned that’s not serving me or my community. I think crab mentality is very real, but I choose not to pull people down. I choose to lift people up. And when I soar, they soar. I think my journey has been to stay focused and in my own goals. I don’t need to prove myself to people who question my aspirations, I just have to show up for me and those who believe in their dreams. I like the saying from SGI Buddhism, “when you change, the world changes.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georginatolentino/

Image Credits

Fil Am Creative Film Festival 2024 with Gabe Gonzales, Mestizo LA and actor Jon Awit.
Dave Mueller, Sarah Orbanics