Meet Andy James Garcia

We were lucky to catch up with Andy James Garcia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Andy James, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from my family, my community, and my lived experiences as a Salvi-non-binary creative in the film industry. I am very privileged to have the opportunity to pursue filmmaking because of the sacrifices my family made. Their hard work and perseverance have shaped me, and I carry that with me in every project that I have take on. I’ve had to navigate spaces that weren’t always built with me in mind, but that’s only strengthened my determination to carve out a place where people like me feel seen and valued. Every challenge I’ve faced—whether it’s learning on the job, advocating for accessibility, or pushing for authentic representation; I tell stories to heal, to uplift, and to honor those who came before me. That’s what keeps me going.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a disabled salvi-non-binary director, my work is deeply rooted in advocacy and representation, centering stories that are often overlooked—stories of identity, familial love, and self-discovery. I tell stories to entertain, to heal my inner child, and to create a space where people who look and feel like me can see themselves reflected on screen.
I come from an immigrant mother who had no family in the U.S., so we truly valued the small family that we did have. A saying that was instilled in me from a young age is ‘familia unida, esperanza en la vida’—a united family brings hope in life. That belief has shaped my storytelling, and it’s why I feel that familial love stories need to be more present in film. The connections we have with our family, whether by blood or chosen, deserve to be honored on screen in all of their beauty and complexity.

What excites me most about my work is the ability to build worlds that feel authentic and inclusive. I take pride in making my sets a space where talent and crew feel comfortable and willing to bring their best selves. As someone who learned filmmaking on the job through the Justice for My Sister Production Assistant program, I value hands-on experience and the power of community in this industry.

Right now, I’m focused on my latest project, Batido con Amor, a short film that explores love, grief, and healing through the simple yet profound act of making a tres leches cake. This project is incredibly personal to me, I lost my mother a few years ago and it’s about the way we carry love through generations, how food connects us to those we’ve lost, and how something as small as baking can become an act of remembrance. I’m currently in the process of fundraising for the film, and I’m excited to bring this heartfelt story to life.

I’m also preparing for opportunities that will help me grow as a filmmaker, like the CBS Pipeline Challenge, which I am currently a finalist. I’m excited for what’s ahead and committed to continuing to tell stories that matter.

Link to Batido con Amor: https://www.gofundme.com/f/batido-con-amor-qtpoc-short-film?utm_campaign=p_cp+fundraiser-sidebar&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey as a filmmaker are resilience, adaptability, and community-building.

Resilience has been crucial because this industry isn’t always welcoming to people like me—as a wheelchair user. I’ve had to push through barriers, prove my worth in spaces that weren’t designed for me, and stay true to my vision despite setbacks. For those starting out, I’d say: don’t let rejection or obstacles define you. Instead, let them fuel you. Your voice and perspective are valuable.

Adaptability has also been huge skill that I’ve been developing. I didn’t come into filmmaking through traditional film school; I learned on the job through the Justice for My Sister Production Assistant program. That experience taught me how to be resourceful, problem-solve in real time, and wear many hats. I’ve been a director, an actor, a wardrobe stylist, and a production designer, often switching between roles as needed. Working in indie filmmaking, you have to think fast and being willing to adjust when things don’t go as planned. Be open to learning in unconventional ways. Take advantage of free workshops, mentorship programs, and hands-on experiences. Say yes to opportunities that push you outside your comfort zone, because that’s where real growth happens. You don’t need a perfect roadmap—just a willingness to learn as you go.

Lastly, community-building is everything. I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of mentors, fellow creatives, and my community. The film industry can be isolating, especially for those of us who don’t fit the mold of the ‘traditional’ filmmaker. But when you surround yourself with people who believe in you, who uplift your work and challenge you to grow, it makes all the difference. My culture has taught me that family isn’t just about blood—it’s about the people who show up for you, who help you tell your stories, and who remind you why you do this. For those early in their journey, I encourage you to seek out spaces where you feel seen, collaborate with like-minded artists, and build your own creative family. When one of us win, we all win!

Little shout out to my bestie Alix Azuike, for helping me get this opportunity to talk to Bold Journey!

No matter where you are in your journey, remember that your story and perspective matter. Keep pushing, keep creating, and build the spaces that don’t yet exist for you.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the biggest challenges I face as a filmmaker is navigating the film industry with my wheelchair, especially in a field that often overlooks accessibility. Many spaces, both physical and professional, aren’t built with people like me in mind, so I have to be extra intentional about ensuring my sets are accessible and inclusive—not just for me but for others who might face similar challenges.

For example, when I’m scouting locations or setting up production, I have to consider the physical layout—whether it’s easy to navigate in a wheelchair, if there are accessible bathrooms, sensory rooms, and if the crew is trained to work in a way that ensures everyone is included. I’ve found that it requires a lot of advanced planning and communication with my team to ensure accessibility needs are met, especially in non-traditional spaces.

However, I’ve also experienced a more subtle, but still significant, challenge: at times, my needs for accessibility have made opportunities disappear or become more difficult to obtain. There’s a perception that having specific accessibility needs is too difficult or costly to accommodate, which often leads to doors closing before I even get the chance to pitch myself. This is a frustrating reality in an industry that can be slow to adapt.

But even with these challenges, I’m committed to making sure my work doesn’t just focus on accessibility—it actively embodies it. I’m using my voice to advocate for better representation and accessibility in the industry, and recently I had the opportunity to assist with accessibility coordination on Hulu’s Good American Family. I worked to ensure that actors with accessibility needs were accommodated on set, helping to create an environment where everyone could perform their best without barriers.

I want to show that having a disability doesn’t limit creativity or innovation, and that everyone, regardless of their mobility or background, should have the opportunity to work in this space.
I’m hopeful that as our industry progresses, there will be more support for accessibility—not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental part of the filmmaking process

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andy.james.garcia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-garcia-a22112184
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/wWv0TgQRdWg?si=pAcMuKotXPec8oUv
• Other: Batido con Amor
  Insta: https://www.instagram.com/batidoconamor.mov?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  Fundraising campaign
  https://www.gofundme.com/f/batido-con-amor-qtpoc-short-film?utm_campaign=p_cp+fundraiser-sidebar&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer