We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cristobal Abugaber. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cristobal below.
Cristobal, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Since I was a kid, I was obsessed with the behind-the-scenes features on DVDs. While most people watched the movie and moved on, I wanted to understand how it was made—what happened behind the camera, how the shots came together, how the actors prepared. In middle school, I invited my friends over, borrowed my dad’s camera, and made a home movie. My dad loved editing, so he installed Adobe Elements on our computer and showed me how to use it. That moment lit something in me. I haven’t stopped telling stories since—through commercials, short films, little experiments—but always as a hobby.
It wasn’t until my twenties that I began to ask myself: Could this be more than a passion? Could I actually be a filmmaker? When I told my family I wanted to go to film school, they went ballistic. They had a vision for me—joining the family business with my brothers, like a three-legged tripod. But everything shifted when I found a mentor and therapist who helped me see things clearly. I realized that discovering my purpose was only part of the journey—the real challenge was embracing it and finding the courage to pursue it, even if it meant breaking expectations. That’s when everything changed.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I was born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, and I’m currently living in New York, pursuing an MFA in Screenwriting and Directing at Columbia University. Most of my time is spent writing, developing stories, and directing them when they’re ready. I’m a deeply introspective, philosophical, and spiritual person, and I feel like I have a lot to say.
For me, storytelling is a personal journey—a way of exploring questions and ideas that I may never fully understand, but that shape my life and the way I see the world. Filmmaking is the most honest and fulfilling way I’ve found to express those inner thoughts. It allows me to wrestle with themes like purpose, faith, grief, identity, and human connection.
What excites me most about this path is the hope that the stories I tell will not only help me grow as a person, but also reach others in a meaningful way. I truly believe that great films can expand our awareness, make us feel less alone, and maybe even change us. That’s the kind of work I aspire to create—honest, emotional, and rooted in the human experience.
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?
1. Never stop learning.
This is so important. We’re incredibly lucky to live in a time where we have access to the most brilliant minds in the world just one click away. Listen to podcasts, read books, take courses on topics that matter to you. Surround yourself with people who have been where you are now, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stay curious—it keeps you growing.
2. Prioritize balance and personal development.
No matter what your purpose or career path is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Work on yourself. Find a good therapist, question your beliefs, confront your past, seek balance, have fun, and don’t take life too seriously. Humor is a powerful tool for healing and navigating the chaos of life. The more grounded you are, the more impactful your work will be.
3. Take small steps toward big goals.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a meaningful life or career. Be patient, and focus on creating consistent, positive habits that move you forward—even if it’s just a little bit each day. Progress is progress. As long as you keep showing up, you’re on the right path.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
If I knew I only had a decade left, I’d probably write a movie about it—of course. But more seriously, I would prioritize what truly matters: spending quality time with my family, traveling the world with my wife, and having children—being as present as possible to help them grow and develop during those formative years.
I wouldn’t let a single day go by without writing. I’d pour all my energy into getting my first feature film made, and hopefully a second or even a third. Those films would be my way of contributing something meaningful to the world—something that might outlive me.
Spiritually, I’d take time to get my inner life in order. I’d focus on living with peace, purpose, and joy—doing my best to stay grounded, grateful, and to face each day with clarity and enthusiasm.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crrisabu/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristobal-abugaber-8a380a76/
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