As Jay Diaz’s debut feature Angeleno prepares to make its world premiere at the Los Angeles film festival Dances With Films on June 20, 2026, I took the opportunity to interview director Jay Diaz and my friend Kevin Huie, who produced the film together on a shoestring budget. Kevin is also a fellow member of both the Producers Guild of America and the Television Academy. Bringing an independent feature to its world premiere at a major film festival is no small accomplishment, making their achievement all the more impressive and worthy of celebration.
How did Angeleno come together as a feature?
Jay Diaz: The idea of telling an LA story from my perspective has always been on my mind, but it wasn’t until 2020 that I started to develop what that could look like. I was reflecting on where I was in my film career and what struggles creatives in Los Angeles were going through during the pandemic. So a story started to develop from there.
Kevin Huie: Jay called me to look at the script and that was pretty much it. At that point we actually had not collaborated together for around 8 years, and a feature film was something we’ve always wanted to do together. The budget was very shoestring but it was doable, a lot of free locations with a few paid locations. We had a tiny crew of a sound guy and DP, and a few producers wearing multiple hats. So we definitely utilized what we had access to, to make this movie happen.
While I know the financing is very modest… can you talk about how the financing of the film comes together?
JD: For this project, I knew there was going to be a very small budget, so we pulled a lot of favors from friends and family to help make it happen. I was fortunate to have some investor friends that believed in me and the project to at least get it off the ground. Financing is always the most diff out part for filmmakers, but I wasn’t going to let it stop me from doing it. One way or another, we were determined to see it through.
How did the casting come together? Was there a casting director involved?
JD: I have a good roster of actor friends that I knew would be great for the project. I’ve worked with Jeff Torres, Corina Calderon and Brian Thomas Smith before so they were already in mind. Everyone else sort of came together through my network of past projects.
KH: No casting director. Most of the cast we’ve colloborated before and some we’re recommendations. At least 70% of the cast came from previous projects that we’ve done together.
Jay, let’s talk a bit about your filmmaking background? Is Angeleno your first feature and what’s your experience on it?
JD: I came from the YouTube world, starting with viral sketches and moved into short films. It was just making mini movies with friends which was a lot of fun. Through that I knew I had to make a feature film. I had all the tools and knowledge, it was just finding the right story. Angeleno was the perfect launchpad for my debut feature.
What’s the most challenging problem on production that you have to solve on Angeleno?
JD: Budget and time. I know it’s common in the indie world, but you’re always fighting those two things. So when it came to Angeleno, there was always problem solving. An actor changing schedule due to other conflicts, and locations cutting our time and half due to budget, and so much more. But that’s the beauty of filmmaking isn’t it? Finding those solutions within the chaos.
KH: Same, I think it was the logistical challenges were just dealing with cast schedules, there were some work schedules that we had work around. When is cast is donating their time on you’re project, we have to do our best to accomadate their needs. We did have a location wanted us to leave earlier than what we wanted, so we had to really power through what we had to shoot. All and all, we figure it out.
What’s the most memorable moment in the production for each of you?
JD: We really wanted to get a rooftop scene at sunset with the skyline in the background, but we were sure if we were going to be able to get it. It had to be guerrilla style, and low key, but once we got it, we knew that was our hero shot.
KH: The kid’s party. Initially I was unsure how we would pull it off, as normally you would go through by posting a casting notice somewhere and hope people show up. So the simpliest solution is just to host a kid’s party and film it with our actors and that’s exactly what we did. Jay invited friends and family. Even Jay’s family were cooking carne asada for everybody. And it worked out suprisingly well, and all the kids were actually easy to deal with. That sequence turned out better than any of us expected it to be.
Jay, having made Angeleno, what’s one advice you would give another filmmaking starting their first feature?
JD: Tell a story only you can tell. Don’t make it for others, it has to be a movie you would want to see. It’ll make the process much easier if you’re picturing what you’d like to see first. From there you collaborate with your team on how to execute it.
What are each of your expectations or hopes for your film’s world premiere at Dances with Film in June?
JD: Getting to this point is already a huge accomplishment, so we’re all just grateful that we get to show this film on the big screen. My hope is that it resonates with not just Angelenos, but anyone who has put their dreams aside because life keeps getting in the way. Because this film proves that it’s never too late.
KH: I’m just glad we get to show it on the big screen with an audience. I just want people to enjoy it and relate to the movie itself and hopefully they’ll spread the word and so we can build an audience through this movie. But getting the movie distributed and sold would be nice too.
Get tickets for the world premiere of Angelenos!
