showcase Portfolio

Selected projects for the Fields Artist Fellowship

Oregon Arts and Culture

Mini Documentary for the 2025 Oregon Arts & Culture Caucus

(Oregon) Art Does That

A few months ago, I attended a concert to see jazz pianist and composer Darrell Grant — Someone I deeply respect and admire both as an artist and as a friend. And before he took the stage and delivered an incredible performance alongside esperanza spalding, I felt compelled to say to him, “Darrell, I hope I don’t have to remind you, but if you ever need your help or if you can ever use my filmmaking skills, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m there.” To my delight, only a few weeks later, my phone rang. After some brainstorming, we sketched out a series of short films featuring his words, my visuals, and populated by a mix of extremely talented Oregon artists. Shown at the 2025 Oregon Arts and Culture Caucus Kick-off event, these videos serve as a love letter to Oregon artists, as a call to action, and a reminder that Art is not just for the artists but it is an essential part of what makes us human and that the act of creating and expressing ourselves is as essential as breathing.

A film by Darrell Grant & Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal

Written by Darrel Grant

Creative Direction by Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal

Cinematography by Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal & Ivan Cantú-Villarreal

(formerly WESTAF), the Cultural Advocacy Coalition Foundation, the Independent Venue Coalition and Friends of Rob Nosse.

LET FREEDOM RING

We Got Each Other’s back

immigrant artist multi-channel video installation

Director - Carlos Motta, Director of Photography - Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal

We Got Each Other’s Back is a three-part, multi-channel video installation featuring portraits of queer artists and activists in the United States who are or have been openly undocumented, and who are producing work to denounce historic and present-day broken US immigration policies. The project demonstrates how the intersections of sexuality, gender, ethnicity, race, and economic background define the environment of marginalization and discrimination to which immigrants are subjected, while challenging mainstream media narratives of immigration and sexuality by presenting nuanced, real-life stories of living at the margins of the legal system.

21 Cartas | Documentary & Live Projections

Director, Cinematographer & Editor - Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal

Jazz pianist/composer Darrell Grant & singer- songwriter Edna Vazquez draw on their diverse backgrounds to address the hopes, hardships, struggles, and dreams of those who have risked everything for better lives for their children. Interwoven with filmmaker Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal’s portraits of Oregon’s immigrant community, 21 Cartas represents the bravery, search for justice, and power of a mother’s love that are common to the immigrant stories that define our country.

when i close my eyes

Experimental Artist Documentary | Cine Reel

His ability to paint portraits of Saddam Hussein likely saved his life. Oil painter Samir Khurshid reflects on his own tumultuous life growing up surrounded by death and chaos in war-torn Iraq. His densely layered work is heavily influenced by both the cross-cultural chaos of life as a refugee in the U.S. as well as his past, modern religion, ancient mythology, politics, and daily emotional life.

Director: Samuel Eisen-Meyers

Director of Photography: Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal

SOY - The School of Yes Summer Camp

Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal, led the photography and cinematography class at The School of YES summer camp.

This documentary was entirely shot by the students and is a great example that shows that our community is filled with talented youth that crave an artistic and creative output. All they need is the tools, the time and the mentors to express themselves.

Special thanks to Cara Mia Theatre Co. and the Oak Cliff Cultural Center for inviting us to participate once again.
Positive impact in our community is imperative and possible; give your local arts programs a helping hand.

Junior Players | Mini Documentary

Director, Cinematographer & Editor - Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal

Junior Players has provided high-quality arts education programming (including visual, performing, media, and dance) programming to the youth at no cost to our participants since 1955. Programs are delivered in local recreation and cultural centers, low-income housing developments, public and private elementary, middle and high schools, and through social service agencies serving youth ages 5 through 18. Our goal is to encourage, empower, and enrich the lives of as many children and youth as possible each year.

Food Foray | Georgia

Food and Culture Docuseries

Food and Culture docuseries produced by MetroEast. Director of Photography - Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal

Navidad de Reserva

Narrative Short Film

A slice-of-life short film that follows Florencia, a South American immigrant, during Christmas Eve day- as she tries to cope with day-to day issues and the constant isolation that she feels.

Director - Roberta Cumbianchera

Director of Photography Adolfo Cantú-Villarreal