USA
Joel Alfonso Vargas
Rico’s summer is a mix of chasing girls and hustling homemade cocktails out of a cooler on Orchard Beach, the Bronx. But when Destiny, his teenage girlfriend, crashes at his place with his family, it’s only a matter of time before his carefree days come spiralling down.
The director grew up shaped by the hip-hop culture of The Bronx, which became a key inspiration for his filmmaking journey. He studied at the University of Southern California, the University of the Arts in London, and the UK’s National Film and Television School. Following his education, he remains committed to grassroots filmmaking, using small crews, street-cast talent, and semi-improvised dialogue. He collaborates closely with marginalised communities to tell nuanced stories around themes of diasporic identity and social justice.
Filmography
May It Go Beautifully for You, Rico (2024); Shadow (2023); Target is Hiring (2020)
