MEET THE TEAM
CO-FOUNDER & FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Samuel Vargas
Samuel Vargas is an emerging filmmaker from Envigado, Colombia, currently based in Miami, Florida. A dedicated student majoring in Film, Television, and Digital Production at Miami Dade College. Vargas has been selected for the prestigious 2024 Film and Media Career Development Program by The Gotham EDU and is a recipient of the Sidney Poitier Initiative Scholarship.
Known for his strong capabilities in directing and producing, Vargas has produced several short films that have been featured in respected festivals, including the Miami Film Festival, OutShine Film Festival, and TIDE Film Festival. His latest project, ¡Que Colombianada!, continues to showcase his dedication to storytelling and his Colombian heritage.
In 2024, Vargas co-founded the Hispanic Heritage Film Festival, which held its inaugural event in Miami, celebrating and amplifying Hispanic voices in film. Through his work both behind the camera and within the festival circuit, Vargas continues to make a significant impact in the independent film community.
FESTIVAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Leda Barham
Leda Barham is a seasoned freelance producer and production manager with over 30 years of experience in global TV campaigns and commercial projects. From scripting and budgeting to logistics and team building, she brings a full-spectrum approach to production.
Specializing in tourism campaigns for social media and broadcast TV, Leda has worked in the Bahamas, St. Kitts, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
In 2024, she earned a BAS in Film, TV, and Digital Production from Miami Dade College, producing around 20 student films and directing two. Her latest projects include graduation films entering festivals.
As a writer, she has created an eight-episode TV series delving into the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals, along with a 50-minute animated film script.
Originally from Costa Rica and now based in Miami, Leda is fluent in Spanish, English, and French, adding a global perspective to her storytelling.
FILM PROGRAMMER
Hansel Porras
Hansel Porras Garcia (any pronouns welcome) is a queer Cuban-born artist and filmmaker based in Miami whose work is rooted in Hispanic multiculturalism, with a particular focus on the Cuban diaspora. His storytelling explores themes of identity, family and migration.
Their feature film “Febrero” won the Knight Made in MIA Award at the 2023 Miami Film Festival.
Their short films have been featured at renowned festivals worldwide, including the New Orleans Film Festival, LALIFF, and Slamdance, gaining acclaim for their nuanced narratives and cultural resonance.
Hansel currently manages the Cinematic Arts Residency at Oolite Arts, Miami’s largest artists-support organization, where he nurtures and uplifts emerging filmmakers in the local community.
SHORTS PROGRAMMER
Kevin Martinez
Kevin Martinez is a 24-year-old filmmaker from and based in Miami, Florida. He is an alumnus of Miami Dade College, achieving a B.A.S. in Film, Television, and Digital Production. He is known for his work as a director, script supervisor, and assistant director of multiple short films. His short films have been part of film festivals such as the Miami Dade College Student Film Festival and Sun Pass Film Festival.