Mariscela Mendez

🔉 SOUND ON 🔉 Thank you @mexamcef for this honor! Congrats @juan.carlos.enriquez.composer and @mariscela ✨

That’s a Wrap! Celebrating the MAFTF 2026 Winners 🎬 Congratulations to all of our winners at MAFTF 2026’s Opening Ceremony & The Illustrious Awards! 🏆BEST SHORT: Que Suene La Banda - (Directed By Jorge Parra Jr.) @jorgeparrajr @quesuenelabandafilm 🏆BEST FEATURE: 20 Pounds to Happiness - (Directed By Yelyna De Leon) @20poundstohappiness @yelynadeleon 🏆BEST VERTICAL MICRO DRAMA: Sabrina - (Directed By Betania Murillo) @bethhmurillo 🏆BEST DOCUMENTARY: From Mexico to Vietnam: A Chicano Story - (Directed By Andres Gallegos) 🏆BEST DIRECTOR: Jorge Parra Jr. for Que Suene La Banda @jorgeparrajr @quesuenelabandafilm 🏆BEST ACTOR: Paul Rodriguez for Roxy & The Man @thepaulrodriguez 🏆BEST ACTRESS: Krystal Garcia for There’s A Devil Inside Me @kr.yst 🏆BEST SCREENPLAY: Manuel Villarreal & Claudia Rivera-Vazquez for La Bruja @malexvillarreal @claudi.macaroni @labruja_film 🏆BEST ORIGINAL SCORE/COMPOSER: Juan Carlos Enriquez for The Vote @juan.carlos.enriquez.composer 🏆BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Mariscela Beatriz Mendez for The Vote @mariscela 🏆BEST CASTING DIRECTOR: Jamie Castro for La Bruja @labruja_film @jamiecastro_casting #MEXAMCEF #MACEF #MAFTF #TheIllustriousAwards #AwardWinning

Thank you @mexamcef for the recognition and honor or winning “Best Cinematography” for the second year in a row! Thank you to @sylbialin , apoma05, & @erikasabelflores for trusting me with such a deeply personal story. I feel incredibly lucky for the opportunity to have DPed @the_vote_film , shout out to @latinofilminstitute_ @netflix @_becine_ @bhalpern18 and @cinelease for your continued support. Thank you to my wonderful camera and G&E team, this is not possible without you!

Mariscela Beatríz Méndez is a Director of Photography from San Antonio, Texas, whose work is deeply informed by her Mexican-American heritage. She gravitates toward projects that explore Latiné identity, center female perspectives, and incorporate elements of magical realism. Méndez is one of the honorees of the International Cinematographers Guild’s 2025 Emerging Cinematographer Awards for The Middle, written and directed by Sylvia Ray. This year, she was nominated twice at the Mexican-American Film & TV Festival for “Best Cinematography,” ultimately winning for her work on the surreal vampire short Vivir, written and directed by Gerardo Maravilla. Her notable credits include Las Hijas de Rosalia, executive produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival; serving as LA Unit DP for the documentary Faithful Defenders, executive produced by Cate Blanchett and Dirty Films; and Water Angel, her second collaboration with director Nijla Mu’Min for Paramount+. Méndez’s fellowships include the 2024 ReFrame Rise Fellowship in partnership with Women in Film and the Sundance Institute. She is also an alumna of the ASC Vision Mentor Program, Film Independent’s Project Involve, and the Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today Fellowship with the Hola Mexico Film Festival. Beyond narrative work, Méndez has built an impressive commercial portfolio with clients including Google, Clorox, and Herdez. She recently made her directorial debut with an animated McDonald’s commercial. A proud member of ICG Local 600, Méndez works internationally and continues to bring her unique vision and voice to projects across narrative, documentary, and commercial spaces. #femalecinematographer #reframe #womeninfilm #latinafilmmaker #herlens

The lens defines the story, and these three visionaries redefined the craft. We are hyped to announce the #MAFTF2026 Nominees for Best Cinematography: 🎥 Mariscela Beatriz Mendez – The Vote 🎥 Danger Charles – La Bruja 🎥 Marcus Patterson – Que Suene La Banda The mastery on display this year is next-level! Who takes home the trophy? 🏆 The winner will be crowned at our Opening Ceremony! Be there to witness history in the making. 📅 APRIL 25th 📍 Milagro Cinemas 🎟️ TICKETS ARE ONLY $10! #Cinematography #IndieFilm #MilagroCinemas #FilmFestival

This week’s CDI Member Spotlight is a duo 👯‍♀️
Sylvia Ray & Mariscela Beatriz Méndez Sylvia Ray is a Chicana/Korean-American director known for bold, heartfelt stories that blend humor, grit, and authenticity. Her work spans award winning shorts, commercials and music videos. Mariscela Beatriz Méndez is a Mexican-American Tejana cinematographer whose work explores Latiné identity, female perspectives and magical realism. An award-winning DP, she brings her vision across narrative, documentary and commercial work. This week they kickstart the beginning of their feature film, The Middle! We encourage members to work and build together. Sylvia and Mariscela are a prime example of what that can look like. Support them and their film! @the_middle_film 💗 @sylbialin 🎬 @mariscela 🎥

Happy New Year Familia! Excited to connect about your next project and looking forward to doing more Features + Lifestyle, Beauty and Food commercials! ✨✨✨

We’re gearing up to shoot The Middle in March 2026, and we need some help closing the funding gap. Every contribution goes directly to the artists, crew, and craftspeople! We believe in this team. We believe in this film. And we’re asking our community to help us cross the finish line. It takes community to keep indie film alive. Any support is helpful, including a share! 🎬 donation link in bio🎬

Thank you to the team @sonycine and to Yaro for taking the time to chat with my about my work and collaboration on @the_middle_film with @sylbialin - Link in Bio!

𝙁𝙎 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙚 / The Middle A desert teen tries to escape the consequences of a pivotal night and has to decide between telling the truth and protecting her family. Watch Now on FS + FS YouTube Channel [links in bio] Cast: @victoriamoroles @ajuliomacias @izzy_bee_ @chrisortega @edgar_desantiago Writer/Directer: @sylbialin Producers: rodrysoza @trusslexx @epistemecollective @victoriamoroles @peterz7z DP: @mariscela Casting Director: @jsmngtrz AD: @luisamnovo Editor: @ptrcklwrnce Composer: @thealbumleaf Colorist: @coloristroy Steadicam/Cam Opp: @_balle_ 1st AC: @sofiamutandis 2nd AC: @v__nesa Gaffer: Rob Grower Swing: @oliviarip728 Lighting: @cinelease Grip: @barskyphoto & @eric.cortez27 Data Wrangler: @peterz7z Previs: @kalanray PD/Costume Designer: @r0se_westerman HMU: @alyssahudsonmua Art Director: @josef.a.maxwell Stunt Coordinator: @rowbieorsatti Sound: @nathanpopefilm HMU PA: @riddikulus.faith G&E PA: unkknown5460 PA: @leooo.films Post Sound and Final Mixing: @source_sound_inc Produced in association with @satelitecollective and @echobendpictures Graphic Design: @snollygoster.productions Camera Vendor: @_becine_ Shoutout to @deltacobarstow IYKYK #TheMiddle #FilmShortage #ShortFilm #IndieFilm #LatinxFilmmakers #WomenDirectors #ComingOfAgeFilm

The Middle proof of concept is now available online through @filmshortage ! We filmed The Middle short film in the Fall of 2023 over three nights in Barstow, California. It’s been an incredible run from a Best LatinX Film nomination at the 2024 HollyShorts Film Festival to multiple awards across the festival circuit, and it’s been incredibly fulfilling to hear the audiences reactions in real time. Now it’s available online for everyone! Cast: @victoriamoroles @ajuliomacias @izzy_bee_ @chrisortega @edgar_desantiago Writer/Directer: @sylbialin Producers: rodrysoza @trusslexx @epistemecollective @victoriamoroles @peterz7z DP: @mariscela Casting Director: @jsmngtrz AD: @luisamnovo Editor: @ptrcklwrnce Composer: @thealbumleaf Colorist: @coloristroy Steadicam/Cam Opp: @_balle_ 1st AC: @sofiamutandis 2nd AC: @v__nesa Gaffer: Rob Grower Swing: @oliviarip728 Lighting: @cinelease Grip: @barskyphoto & @eric.cortez27 Data Wrangler: @peterz7z Previs: @kalanray PD/Costume Designer: @r0se_westerman HMU: @alyssahudsonmua Art Director: @josef.a.maxwell Stunt Coordinator: @rowbieorsatti Sound: @nathanpopefilm HMU PA: @riddikulus.faith G&E PA: @unkknown5460 PA: @leooo.films Post Sound and Final Mixing: @source_sound_inc Produced in association with @satelitecollective and @echobendpictures Graphic Design: @snollygoster.productions Camera Vendor: @_becine_ Shoutout to @deltacobarstow IYKYK #TheMiddle #FilmShortage #ShortFilm #IndieFilm #LatinxFilmmakers #WomenDirectors #ComingOfAgeFilm

September was one for the books! I’m incredibly grateful to @icglocal600 and the The ECA staff for hosting a wonderful weekend dedicated to uplifting new voices in cinematography. Thank you to everyone who voted and to the ECA co-chairs @stevenasc & @edufierrodp for all of your time and dedication to making this such a special experience. Big shout out to @harveyvisuals for capturing the entire event! My favorite moment was when John Lindley told me my friends were very loud. It was an absolute honor to be amongst some very talented DPs. A big shout out to @zeisscameralenses , @matthewsgrip , and Lee filters for the incredible gifts. Thank you to my parents and all of my friends and mentors who came out to support! And a big thank you to @sylbialin for letting me shoot The Middle, this is not possible with out you! I’m very humbled and excited to continue growing and for what’s next!