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

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

During my time in the Peace Corps, living with an indigenous community in Latin America. It was a transformative experience, but I found myself struggling to describe what my life was like to family and friends back home. Words just didn’t seem to capture the richness and depth of the culture, the people, and the experiences I was living every day.

So, instead of telling them, I decided to show them. I started filming moments of daily life, capturing the stories and beauty of the community I was a part of. Filmmaking became a bridge—something that connected my world there with the people I loved back home. It was the first time I truly understood the power of storytelling through film: its ability to break down boundaries, foster empathy, and build connections between people who might otherwise never meet.

That realization led me to pursue a graduate degree in social documentation at UC Santa Cruz. I wanted to hone my craft and learn how to use film as a tool for connection and understanding on a broader scale. Eventually, I brought that vision back to South Tahoe, where I saw an opportunity to do this kind of work in my own backyard, fostering connection and empathy in my local community.

It all started with a simple need to share my experience—and turned into a lifelong passion for storytelling and filmmaking.

Michelle, 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 Michelle Aguilar, a documentary filmmaker and the founder and director of the Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival. My passion for filmmaking started unexpectedly during my time in the Peace Corps, living with an indigenous community in Latin America. I found it difficult to articulate the depth and richness of my experiences to friends and family back home, so I turned to film as a way to show them instead. This transformative moment not only helped me connect two worlds but also opened my eyes to the power of storytelling through film.

Today, I create documentaries that focus on social equality, environmental issues, and the fair representation of marginalized communities. My films aim to spark empathy, inspire action, and challenge perspectives by exploring the beauty and complexity of our shared world. My work has been recognized at major festivals, distributed for educational purposes, and featured on national broadcasts.

I use film as a bridge to break down barriers, alleviate ethnocentrism, and create spaces for meaningful dialogue and connection.

As the founder of the Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival, I’ve expanded this vision to a community level. The festival is more than just a showcase of films—it’s a cultural experience designed to inspire connection and spark dialogue. We feature films that address themes like outdoor adventure, social justice, family, and environmental stewardship, complemented by workshops, panels, and community gatherings.

What I’m most proud of is the sense of community and understanding my work has cultivated. Through storytelling, my aim is to inspire meaningful connections and encourage people to view the world—and each other—with greater empathy and curiosity.

I want those who engage with my work to experience the transformative power of storytelling. Whether watching a film, or attending the festival, my hope is that they leave feeling inspired, informed, and more deeply connected to the world around them.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

For Filmmaking:
One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is going into a project with rigid expectations about what the story will be. In every film, I might start with an idea of the narrative arc or the story I want to tell, but inevitably, there comes a point where I have to pause and ask myself what the story truly is. It’s essential to remain open to where the story is taking me.

As a documentary filmmaker, I work in non-fiction, so it’s not scripted. This means that I constantly have to let go of my preconceived notions and allow the story to emerge organically. Whether during production or in the edit room, I’ve learned to listen to what the footage is telling me, rather than trying to force it into a predetermined mold. This approach keeps the process authentic and true to the subjects I’m representing.

For Starting the Festival:
When I started the Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival, I had to remind myself that every festival I admire—those in their 20th, 30th, or even 50th year—once had a Year 1. It’s easy to look at their polished programming and long-standing reputations and want to replicate that right away, but I had to embrace the reality that starting small was okay.

In that first year, my main goal was just to do something—to get the festival off the ground. While I dreamed of mirroring the advanced programming and prestige of those festivals, I had to accept that they too began somewhere and evolved over time. I still aspire to grow the festival into something larger and more impactful, but I’m also proud of what I’ve accomplished so far, especially navigating the learning curve that comes with a first-year event.

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

Absolutely! My creative journey is rooted in a mission to foster connection, empathy, and awareness through storytelling. I believe documentaries have the power to break down barriers, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire change. Whether through my own films or the Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival, my goal is to create shared experiences that bring people together.

Storytelling, for me, serves as a bridge, helping us see ourselves in others and gaining a deeper understanding of the world. Ultimately, my work is about using this medium to build a more connected and compassionate community.

Contact Info:

• Website: hwww.smallpumpkin.com. and www.ltdff. com
• Instagram: laketahoedocfilmfest
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laketahoedocfilmfest
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleeaguilar/. and https://www.linkedin.com/company/ltdff
• Other: https://filmfreeway.com/LakeTahoeDocumentaryFilmFestival