We were lucky to catch up with Regina Rios recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Regina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is Where Is the Dog That Gave You Your Name?, a short film I made in 2023. This project reflects everything I want to explore in my filmmaking career, stories about México, about the weight of memory, and about how we understand death.

Death has always been a profound and complex subject for me; it’s my biggest fear, yet it’s also deeply ingrained in Mexican culture. Making this film was my way of coming to terms with it, not just the fear of passing away, but also the process of letting go of those who are no longer here.

It was also the first project I filmed in my hometown, and that made it even more special. The way my community came together to support me, friends, family, and even people I barely knew, was overwhelming in the best way. Everyone was invested, not just in helping me make a film, but in bringing this story to life. That experience filled my heart in a way I’ll never forget.

This film will always stay with me, not just because of what it represents thematically, but because of what it meant personally, stepping into my voice as a filmmaker, reconnecting with my roots, and telling a story that truly mattered to me.

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?

I’m Regina Ríos, a filmmaker from Ciudad Constitución, Baja California Sur, a small town where the ordinary often feels extraordinary. Growing up in a place where movies were a rare escape, I fell in love with storytelling at a young age. My parents’ efforts to take me to the movies, often a two-hour drive away, sparked my passion for cinema. As I got older, I realized that my true calling wasn’t just to watch films but to create them, stories rooted in the complexities of identity, memory, and the human experience, especially from my Mexican perspective.

Everything started when I was studying my undergrad in Communication and Media Production in San Andrés Cholula, México. It was there that I first discovered my passion for filmmaking and storytelling, learning not just the technical aspects of film but also how to express my voice through the medium.

I’m currently finishing my MFA in film, at Loyola Marymount University, a journey that has helped refine my craft and allowed me to known so many talented people. My most recent project, Maybe I’ll Find You in a Robbery, is a short film that explores themes of longing, family, and the impact of a fractured home life. The story follows a young girl who, living with her aunt after her mother is incarcerated, dreams of a connection with her mother through a letter she’s never been able to send. The film is a reflection of my desire to tell authentic, heartfelt stories that go beyond the surface, focusing on human struggles and relationships in unexpected ways.

Filming in my hometown was a transformative experience, as it allowed me to connect with my roots in a way that shaped the story and its authenticity. The community’s support for the project made it even more special.

What sets me apart is my commitment to telling stories that are both personal and universal, with a particular focus on Mexican culture and the complexity of human emotions. I create films that explore themes of loss, identity, and hope, often infused with a raw vulnerability. I believe in films that challenge perspectives, invite introspection, and are rooted in real-life experiences.

As I prepare to direct my first feature film, I’m excited to bring these themes to a larger audience, continuing to share stories that matter. What I want people to know about me and my work is that every project I take on is heartfelt, rooted in authenticity, and a genuine expression of who I am as a storyteller.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal in my creative journey is to continue doing what I love, even if it means pivoting or adjusting along the way. Being a creative often comes with challenges, whether it’s overcoming technical limitations, budget constraints, or the pressure to fit into specific boxes. But I’ve learned that these obstacles are part of the process. The journey is about embracing the uncertainty and unpredictability that come with creating, and knowing that sometimes the path to making something meaningful requires flexibility and resilience.

For me, it’s about constantly writing, creating, and finding those windows of opportunity where my stories can break through and reach the people who need to hear them. My goal is to find platforms, whether it’s through film, writing, or even non-traditional outlets, where my work can be shared and appreciated.

Ultimately, my mission is to keep creating, stay true to my voice, and remain open to the possibilities that emerge along the way. I want to continue exploring the themes that are important to me, especially those rooted in my heritage, identity, and the human condition. The more I write, direct, and share my work, the more I realize that it’s not just about the finished product, it’s about the journey of creation itself.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that experiencing creative blocks or feeling like I had nothing to say was a bad thing. Early in my journey, I thought that creative flow should be constant, and if I wasn’t inspired or couldn’t come up with new ideas, it meant something was wrong or I wasn’t doing it right. I struggled with those moments of feeling empty or uninspired, believing they meant I had lost my touch or wasn’t cut out for this work.

But over time, I realized that creative blocks aren’t a sign of failure, they’re simply part of the process. Creativity isn’t linear, and there are periods of quiet and reflection that are just as important as the moments of productivity. I’ve learned to embrace these times, to step back and let my mind rest, knowing that inspiration often comes when I least expect it.

Now, I understand that the moments when I feel like I have nothing to say aren’t wasted, they’re just part of my journey as an artist. They give me space to process, recharge, and ultimately create something more meaningful. It’s not about always having something to say, but about allowing the process to unfold and trusting that the right ideas will come when the time is right.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxgina
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-regina-ríos-ceja-4230b71b4