In early August, Fort Ripper premiered two short films from La Tienda followed by a Q&A.

Directed by Karina Ripper, La Tienda profiles Latinx entrepreneurs in Portland, Oregon. Each episode shares the entrepreneurs’ personal stories, cultural origins, artistic influences and what inspires them in running their own businesses. The first two showcase Vía Raíz and Letra Chueca Press. I was honored to be part of the amazing team on the Vía Raíz production.

Vía Raíz
Director: Karina Lomelin Ripper
Producer: Jessica Daugherty
Featuring: Jennifer Bolaños
Ceramicist: Iohan Figueroa
Director of Photography: Carly Diaz
Assistant Director: Corina Burke
Location Sound: Kai Tillman
1st AC: Gabriel Benavente Benitez
Additional Camera: Karina Lomelin Ripper, Marc Ripper
Editor: Luz Carasa
Sound Designer/Mixer: Houston Gastelum
Color: Marc Ripper
Title Design: Mercy Lomelin
Music: Edna Vazquez

A Latinx shop owner (Jennifer Bolaños) based in Portland, Oregon - shares her journey to become an entrepreneur and open a shop that redefines what it means to be made in Mexico. Check out her shop at VíaRaíz.com CREDITS: Producer/Director: Karina Lomelin Ripper Producer: Jessica Daugherty Featuring: Jennifer Bolaños Ceramicist: Iohan Figueroa Director of Photography: Carly Diaz Assistant Director: Corina Burke Location Sound: Kai Tillman 1st AC: Gabriel Benavente Benitez Additional Camera: Karina Lomelin Ripper, Marc Ripper Editor: Luz Carasa Sound Designer/Mixer: Houston Gastelum Color: Marc Ripper Title Design: Mercy Lomelin Music: Edna Vazquez Project was made possible by Prosper Portland and Regional Arts & Culture Council.