#WeLaGente is a powerful, short documentary film that takes a non-political, positive, human look at real Hispanic immigrant stories... putting a face to the diversity that adds to the fabric of America.

Interview with Producer Harry Lowell

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

We felt that currently there is an ugly political discourse on immigration and specifically Hispanic immigration. We wanted to shine a light on the positive, human stories of Hispanic immigrants and understand what America means to those who came here and those who have established a life here.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It’s a simple, beautiful documentary — and only about five minutes long. Deeply personal, honest and authentic stories told through the eyes of real Hispanic immigrants who are proud and thankful to call America home. No politics. No rhetoric. Just people.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

People are people… and we all strive for the same things in life: freedom, the opportunity to pursue our dreams and to make a better life for our families.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We are truly overwhelmed with the positive feedback we have received to date. It has exceeded our expectations. The response from audiences to the people and their stories in the film has been overwhelming — positive, warm and proud to represent a country that offers and means so much to incoming immigrants.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I assumed our core audience would be those without much interaction with Hispanics or Hispanic immigrants. However, we were surprised to see the Hispanic audiences connect to the people and stories in the film in a very powerful and relatable way. Also, to a smaller extent, we found the stories in #WeLaGente were somewhat universal to other immigrant stories, dreams and experiences as they too embraced and made America their home.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We hope to spark positive conversation about the film's Hispanic immigration theme and highlight that Hispanic immigrants are not a stereotype — they come in all shapes and colors.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Film festival directors, media/journalists, social media influencers.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

As I previously mentioned, our goal was to create a film that is positive and proudly represents a country that offers promise and means so much to incoming immigrants. The reception to the film has truly surpassed our initial expectations.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Is America still the "great melting pot?" (hint: the answer is yes).

Would you like to add anything else?

It was an honor to be trusted to help tell these truly personal and inspiring immigration stories— and to work with a team of talented and dedicated filmmakers intent on telling authentic and honest stories. We are proud to showcase what America stands for and what it means to those coming here. From what we learned, thanks to the kindness and inspiration of individuals that make up our great country, America remains a beacon of opportunity and freedom to people around the world.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We are developing a feature-length documentary on immigration and a comedy - news series that brings truth to politics.

Interview: August 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

#WeLaGente

Length: 4:49

Director: John X. Carey

Producer: Harry Lowell, Ari Wilhelm

Writer: Arthur Amiune, Matt Neustadter, Harvey Marco, Dino Spadavecchia

About the writer, director and producer:

JOHN X. CAREY - Los Angeles based film director John X. Carey is a DGA nominated director for Best Commercial Direction in 2014. Listed in AdWeek as one of the top 20 Content Creators of 2016, Carey is a fan of emotion, human-interest topics, cinematic ascetics and intimate character stories. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Today Show, CNN, TIME, Forbes, ABC News, and many others. He has partnered with top agencies, including BDO, Grey, Wieden+Kennedy, 72 and Sunny, Ogilvy, and others. He has helmed campaigns for such clients as Apple, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Dove, Guinness, Google, Philips, Goodwill, and many others.

HARRY LOWELL (NiteLite Pictures) is an award-winning TV and film producer, Television Academy member and President of NiteLite Pictures in Los Angeles. He has produced content from network reality series and 3-hour music concerts to theatrical documentaries and Super Bowl commercials for some of the biggest networks, studios and advertising clients around. He founded NiteLite Pictures in Los Angeles which develops and produces original content including documentaries, television series, live musical events and feature films. Harry has worked with network and studio clients including Disney, Discovery Channel, Syfy, Pixar, History Channel, truTV, Bravo, Knowledge Channel, ESPN and Lionsgate. He has won numerous awards and produced multiple TOP 10 Super Bowl ads, including the #1 Super Bowl ad in 2016 starring Kevin Hart. Harry has filmed all over the world and worked with numerous celebrities from the TV, film, music and sports worlds. A Chicago native and hockey fan, Harry has been a frequent speaker and guest on many podcasts, radio programs and news outlets including Variety and Good Morning America. Most recently he spoke at the Marché du Film in Cannes and at the Maui Film Festival.

Originally from Mexico City, ARI WILHELM (NiteLite Pictures) is a documentary and television producer with a reputation of executing relevant, authentic and meaningful films to engage both Hispanic and U.S. audiences. She leads the opening of the U.S. division of Grupo Chespirito's El Chavo del Ocho brand, one of the most powerful brands in Latin America. Ari produced the emotional, Cannes Film Festival selected short film Eliza which continues to serve as one of the most influential films in all of Mexico and parts of Central America today and has led to saving thousands of women's lives due to its strong and powerful portrayal of the culture’s taboo subject of breast cancer. Ari is a producer with NiteLite Pictures in Los Angeles and has worked and filmed in numerous countries around the globe from Spain and Korea to Argentina and Japan.

Key cast: Jessenia L., Kat Q., Nicoletta H., Raquel R., Carlo A., Mauricio O., Lizzet U., Giovani N., Sergi R., Gaston L., Zeus L., Ellie A., Issabela P., Yuny P., Luis S.

Looking for: journalists, film festival directors

Facebook: NiteLite Pictures

Instagram: @nitelitepictures

Hashtags used: #WeLaGente

Website: nitelitepictures.com

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: Comcast Xfinity

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Oaxaca Film Festival