It’s been two months since we wrapped production on August 23rd. And also two months of almost near silence from me.

I know some of you have been waiting to hear what’s next. And more importantly, see the film. I’ve been a bit quiet on the social media front but I’m still here—just doing the background work now that we are in a post-production phase. Plus I’m back at the day job, the family, the routine. But I’ve also been reviewing footage and strategizing with the producers, Mario and Hafee, on the post-production plan. The necessary work of making sure this film doesn’t just exist—it gets seen.

But before I share the images, the stories, the breakdowns of those 4 intense days in August, I need to do something first: say thank you. Because this film doesn’t exist without the people I’m about to name.

The Cast

A film is only as good as the people willing to step into the story and make it real. These five actors didn’t just perform like professionals, they performed with inspiration.

Kayra Lopez brought Luna to life with so much depth and resilience. She understood Luna’s rage and vulnerability, giving us a character who refuses to be just a victim or just a survivor—she’s human, complicated, real.

Lorena Peralta gave Sol a quiet power—the kind of strength that doesn’t announce itself but holds everything together until it can’t anymore. She showed us how even a baby sister can exude authority.

Yanelba Ferreira, as Tia Avenary, embodied that type of tia we all know—the one who sees and knows everything, doesn’t hold back what needs to be said, and holds the family’s spiritual center with dignity and fire. And in certain scenes, she felt like she was channeling energy from a higher plane.

Diana Pou gave us a Saracena who is both haunting and haunted. Her conflict with Luna is at the heart of the story and even with a few lines she showed us how complicated her character can be despite cursing her daughter.

Duane Ferguson brought warmth and credibility to Dr. Washington, a character who could have been one-dimensional but became a real person with his style and approach of performance.

And a special shout-out to my daughter, Chemina, who played Young Luna and did her thing like a pro.

To the entire cast: THANK YOU!

The Crew

This crew showed up with skill, heart, and a commitment to making something beautiful under impossible conditions.

Haffe Acosta (Cinematographer / Producer) didn’t just shoot this film—he co-created the visual language. And kept us on track by focusing on the essential shots. Santiago Pineda (Line Producer / AD) kept us on schedule, while keeping track of everything else on the set. Mario Rosales (Producer) believed in this project from the beginning and helped me navigate with a steady hand to this point and beyond.

Brenda Aguilar (Hair & MUA) made our actors camera-ready and helped them embody their characters from the outside in. Brandon Ivey (AC) kept our images sharp. Anthony Caul (Art Director / Props Master) transformed our locations into lived-in worlds and designed props with inspiration and grit. Salvador Bolivar (Gaffer / Grip) brought that “energy” and shaped the light into something cinematic.

Aileen Pujols and Aiquing Cai (Script Supervisors) kept us honest, tracking continuity across 4 chaotic days. Ray Kendrick and Jeremy Lewis (Sound Mixers) captured clean audio in challenging conditions. Justin Lewis (Production Assistant) and Mia Rivera (Production Intern) did the thankless work that keeps a set running—moving equipment, quick to address problems before they became crises. And Mario Rubén Carrión (Set / Stills Photographer) moved through the set like ninja with his camera capturing images as dope and beautiful as those Haffe got.

To the entire crew: THANK YOU!

The Community

This film was made IN community and FOR the community.

Lily Burd (Casting Supervisor / Producer) helped us assemble a cast that could carry this story. The Caribbean Cultural Center / African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) provided space during casting. And right before we shot, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) gave us space for our script read—the first time the cast breathed life into these words.

During the shoot, Meah Denee opened her Bronx apartment to us—literally. She let us transform her home, fill it with lights and cameras and nearly 20 people. FD Photo Studio Astoria gave us professional space for us to recreate a restaurnt. And Montefiore Medical Center allowed us to film in a real clinic, giving our medical scenes authenticity.

To the community: THANK YOU!

The Funders

We didn’t have a studio. We didn’t have grants. We had 39 people who believed in this story enough to put their money behind it.

To ALL of our backers: Your contributions—whether $10 or $1,250—said, “This story matters.” You took a risk on an unknown film, an emerging filmmaker, a story that doesn’t fit Hollywood’s mold.

And to our biggest funders, our Visionary Partners, Ohilda Holguin. and Luis Pantaleon. Your support went beyond funding. You believed in this vision when it was just a script and a dream. Thank you for being champions of Dominican cinema.

When you see this film on screen, know that you made it happen.

To the funders: THANK YOU!

The Culture

This film is rooted in Dominican spiritual traditions. We didn’t just reference these traditions. We tried to depict them with authenticity.

Thank you to Dominican artists like Chiqui Mendoza and Simon Torres, who guided me on the tradition of 21 Divisions and introduced me to Glenis La Mambosa, our 21 Divisions consultant, who generously answered all of my questions and showed up on set to make sure we did it right.

To another Dominican artist, Reynaldo Garcia Pantaleon, who’s painting, Mi Nascimiento, (seen below) provided me with the visual metaphor for the whole film in one shot.

And finally, to the ancestors who left behind their words and actions that paved the way for us today and guided us through every scene, every decision, every moment of doubt. And to the misterios whose presence shaped this story.

To the culture: THANK YOU!

*Mi Nascimiento by Reynaldo Garcia Pantaleon*

You’re Part of This

If you’re reading this, you’re part of this community. You’re part of making sure our stories get told—THANK YOU!

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to take you behind the scenes of those 4 days in August, 2026. I’ll share images and talk about each day of the shoot—the challenges, the breakthroughs, the moments that still give me chills.