How to Stay Resilient When The Odds Are Stacked Against You Ft. Calixto ChinChilla
How did the New York Latino Film Festival go from an idea built by strangers with limited resources to one of the longest-running platforms celebrating Latino filmmakers and storytelling?
In this episode of Banking on Cultura, Victoria Jenn sits down with Calixto Chinchilla, founder of the New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF), for a conversation about Latino representation in Hollywood, cultural ownership, entrepreneurship, fundraising, relationships, and what it really takes to build an institution that lasts.
After leaving Wall Street during the recession, Victoria Jenn volunteered at the New York Latino Film Festival without really knowing what she was walking into. She found myself surrounded by Latino filmmakers, creatives, stories, and a community that felt like home.
Years later, she’s sitting across from the man who built it.
Calixto takes us behind the scenes of NYLFF's 26-year journey, from starting the festival with strangers and no guarantee there would ever be a year two, to building an event featuring 120 films, a digital conference, major entertainment industry relationships, and audiences so committed to Latino storytelling that people were willing to sit on the floor just to be in the room.
But we also get into the part of entrepreneurship people don't like talking about.
What happens when the money isn't there?
How do you keep building after hearing no?
How do you navigate corporate partnerships without compromising the culture?
And how do you build relationships strong enough to survive when someone's title, budget, or access disappears?
Calixto gets candid about fundraising in a difficult climate, media consolidation, protecting corporate allies, asking for help before the pressure becomes too much, and why emotional intelligence may be one of the most underrated skills in business.
We also talk about the bigger issue: Who gets to tell Latino stories and who gets to profit from them?
With Latinos continuing to shape American culture, entertainment, business, and media, representation cannot simply mean being invited into somebody else's room. We have to own platforms, create opportunities, support Latino filmmakers and creators, and build institutions that can outlive us.
PLUS the New York Latino Film Festival is happening THIS WEEK.
Calixto breaks down what's happening at this year's festival, what audiences can expect, and why this is a moment to show up and support Latino film and storytelling.
If you're a filmmaker, creative, entrepreneur, business leader or anyone who believes Latino stories deserve bigger platforms, this episode is for you.
Watch the full conversation, subscribe to Banking on Cultura, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
Get your tickets to the festival here: https://nylatinofilmfestival.com/2026/
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Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
What's up, everybody? Welcome back to Banking on Cultura. I am your host, Victoria Jenn Rodriguez, and I want to start this episode with a story time. Now, my guest, Calixto Chinchilla, who is a pioneer in the Latino community, the Latino creative community, he's the founder of the New York Latino Film Festival. Listen, we'll get into the bio. He's a badass, just know that. But this is the story time. So story time goes as follows. I was killing it on Wall Street, doing my thing. And I was working with Lehman Brothers at the time. And for those who are not familiar, Lehman Brothers went under during a market crash. And your girl still had a job, luckily. But Barclays came in and bought my division. And Barclays is a British company. And Lehman was an American company. And it was a complete culture shock. So during the height of the recession, I resigned. My dad almost had a heart attack. He's like, what are you doing leaving work? Like, everybody's looking for a job and you just quit. And I was like, Daddy, I'm just— I'm just not feeling it. Like, I just don't feel like me. And at the time, I thought I wanted to do public relations. So I actually volunteered for the New York Latino Film Festival public relations firm at the time. This was years ago. This was like 2009, I think. And I had no idea what the festival was. I just was acquainted with the founder of the PR firm. And I was like, hey, I'm interested in learning about PR. I want to get my feet wet. He was like, well, why don't you come volunteer at the New York Latino Film Festival? And I'm like, oh, that sounds dope. That sounds like me, Latinos. Let's do it. To make a long story short, I realized I did not want to do PR as a result of that experience.
Calixto Chinchilla:
We left you that traumatized. OK.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, I was like, I want to be on the— I need a PR person. I don't want to be the PR for anybody else.
Calixto Chinchilla:
I was like—
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
but that's the purpose, right, of you volunteering and you experiencing to see what you like and what you don't like. But the dope part about it is I got familiar with the festival. I learned more about you. And I was like, yo, who is this dude? Like, super dope, founded this festival in partnership with HBO. The day that I was there, I believe Michelle Rodriguez came through, and I was just like seeing all these dope Latino actors and creatives, and I was like, yo, this is kind of fly. So as a result of that, I got really, really lucky, and I got to learn even more about you and build a relationship with you. And now you're here on Banking on Cultura. Like—
Calixto Chinchilla:
It's been a minute. It's taken a minute to get here, but we're here.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, so it's like super dope. I'm like, wow, that story has brought us here. So Calixa, welcome to the podcast.
Calixto Chinchilla:
No, thank you. Thank you for having me. Thank you for your story because I'm going to keep it 100. I don't remember. I don't think we ever like met met. I mean, the festival gets crazy.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I saw you, but you probably didn't see me.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Yeah, like it gets really crazy. So I don't remember always everything and I know So when we did meet, you know, when we met after doing, you know, Banking with Cthulhu, that's when I met you and that's when you told me this story. And I think it's just crazy because there's so many professionals that have come through the festival and had their beginnings at the festival and started somewhere. And a lot of them are, especially, you know, been around for 25 years. So the first gen, if you will, You know, a lot of them are just execs that are doing their thing. And, you know, for me, the first thing I always ask everyone is, did we treat you well? Did we treat you well? And if you're around me, did I treat you well? Because that's the thing that you remember more than anything.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
You can do a bunch of things in your life, but you remember the people who served you well and who didn't, or who was shady to you or whatever in your come up. And I too was that person that, you know, had some supportive people that helped me come up. And then I had people who didn't. I remember everyone who didn't. I have receipts for it. You know what I mean? And I'm not bitter about it. All right, repeat those receipts. But those are the things that you remember. So for me, that's always important to anyone, whether you're a volunteer to working at the festival, whatever, that you're gonna learn a lot. And yes, it's intense, but you're gonna, You're gonna be treated with respect and expect nothing less. Like, we really care about people and everyone who works with us, no matter what the level is. And so that's really important. So to hear your story and to hear the glow up, like, I didn't even know that, which is probably a good thing. You know what I mean? Like, then this is authentic then. Like, I didn't know you then, and then to see you now, He's like, wait a minute, you know, that's a beautiful thing. And you're not the first. There's other people that have told me that have done the festival, like, I never met them. Because unless you're with me 24/7 in the festival, you meet so many people that you kind of lose it. Unless you're really close to me, then you know it. But I'm rarely still during the festival.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
So yeah, thank you for your words. When I was there volunteering, I was like, Who's this Calypso guy? Like, where's that coming from? Like, who is this dude? And what I really appreciated about the experience was there was so much care and intentionality behind it. And as a volunteer, I could see it, right? And being a part of like that ecosystem, it was like, wow, this is like really dope. Something that is meaningful and impactful and really necessary in the community to center our voices. And this was like when I was in my 20s, you know what I'm saying? Just like years ago. I mean, I know I look really young, but it was a minute ago.
Calixto Chinchilla:
You don't got to give the age, but yeah, wow.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
It was a minute ago. And it was just— it felt like home. You know, I felt like I was around my people. And we were doing like really dope creative stuff. And I was hearing the stories and being with the PR team, I got to like see the behind the scenes and also be in the front scenes.
Calixto Chinchilla:
PR, you see a lot.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
You see a lot. Yes. And so just observing all of that, and to where the festival has grown today, it's been amazing to witness and to watch how far the festival comes. So this year, what year is it?
Calixto Chinchilla:
26.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
26 freaking years. Like, wow, that is crazy. Congratulations. Because for anyone to stick to something for 26 years—
Calixto Chinchilla:
It's crazy. But you know what's funny, Victoria? What's interesting is that feeling I think resonates, you know, with the audiences and anyone who comes to the festival like that. I don't— people always ask me what the secret sauce is and I don't know, but I think it's rooted in authenticity. Like everyone who wants to be there, who's there, wants to be there and wants to build. And I, it's funny 'cause I saw these Latinas like on IG. I don't know who these women are, but they met at Futuro, our digital conference last year. And now they're starting a business together. And they were strangers that met at the festival. So they had tagged our social accounts and they were like, you know, I went to this panel about, you know, self-discovery, whatever. And I did this and I did this. And then we went to the festival together and we end up, you know, and they end up seeing some movies together. And, but that's, you know, there's other people that have had those kind of relationships, you know, that I've seen, whether it's filmmakers, to audiences. You know how many relationships, how many kids I got from this festival? I should have an app. Like, I should have a dating app because there's so many people that have married and hooked up and whatever at the festival. That too. But that's the beautiful thing. And I think that's the tangibility of the festival. We're not an organization. Yes, we have celebrity that's involved in it and whatever, but There's not a celebrity that supersedes the New York Latino Film Festival. There's not— it's not like Robert De Niro presents this, if you will, or anything like that. You know what I mean? It's not like a Tribeca or whatever. It's run by us, all of us.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Mm-hmm.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And the fact that the festival's early beginnings were started by strangers, like, I knew no one when I first started the festival, and that was intentional. I didn't want my friends involved. I didn't want anyone. I wanted people I never knew, but that was talented to all hell to help me try to pull it off. But I think it's that— it starts from that, and then it just begins to percolate. It starts to build with the audiences, and I think to the point where people have a stake in it.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
You have something in it.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And that's where it is. It won't last 24 years if people don't feel seen and emotionally connected to the project. Like, they won't come out and support. So the fact that you have people returning and they have these incredible stories coming out of it—
Calixto Chinchilla:
That brand affinity, yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, it's a testament to doing this for 26 years and how much of an impact it has.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Yeah, when we travel, it's crazy. Like, we were in Puerto Rico, we were in different cities. We did like a 15-city tour. It's crazy. Like, I'm really thankful how people react. In Puerto Rico, it was nuts. People sat on the floors just to try to get it. It was insane.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
So Puerto Rico had people on the streets waiting to get in, and that's what I saw when I was in New York. Like, there were lines and lines and lines, and people were waiting, and it's just really, really dope. What are you most excited about this year for the festival? Because we're doing this so long, for 26 years, does it ever get boring?
Calixto Chinchilla:
No. People think it does, but it doesn't. I think it makes you wiser because I think you can forecast better, have a better forecast and intuition of what could be coming, good and bad, down the pike, from administrative to maybe funding or whatever it is. You're able to forecast certain things and hopefully be able to pivot where you need to and pivot early. So it makes you wiser in that sense. But the creativity, the drive, figure out what our campaigns are gonna look like, all of those things, meeting new people that continues to excite me. And 'cause I love building with creatives, I love bringing different creatives together and see what would manifest from that. So those things excite me. And the fact that we're opening and closing with 2 musicals. Like, if you would've asked me a year ago if we ever close— open and close with musicals, I'd be like, hell no. But these are like big musicals. One is rooted in the present, has music, you know, Bad Bunny, Tiny, Raúl Alejandro. Tyler Perry's producing it. Armani Ortiz is the director of it. And then you have Milly Quezada, which is a musical biopic, but it's not a musical biopic that's— the music is only in a recording studio or on a stage. There's actually musical numbers in the real world. There's dancing in New York, there's dancing in DR. And so that is different because it's a different way. It's like a Wicked. Like, it's a different way of telling, you know, the musical biopic. And the fact that these 2 films are independently financed, they've been in production for years. Malik Essaada has been at it for years trying to get this picture together. And so has Armani. Armani, for Otra, he started doing test footage on the film because it's a single-take musical. That's the other thing. There's no cuts.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Wow.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And testing how that camera works and how actors perform within that work. and how music is also shot in that way. And so, you know, the fact that these 2 people are just doing it, and there's so many different films in the festival and it's so layered. There's other music films in the festival. You know, all of that makes you proud, you know? And so every year we always get nervous because we don't know if we'll have enough content to sustain a festival.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
That's the thing I don't control. And so we always are like, are the films going to come? Do we have enough? Is the quality— that's the other thing. But this year, we were blessed with abundance. We broke a record. Really?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Wow.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And so there's a lot of blood on the floor, if you will, a lot of films on the floor. But we have 120 films this year.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
What do you think is driving that? I was thinking about this the other day. I was like, I wonder what creative art and expression and stories are going to come out of just these last couple of years that have been straight shenanigans, especially the most recent. Like, do you see that there's an increase in art and just how people are expressing themselves when it's ghetto outside?
Calixto Chinchilla:
It's scary, but yet there's this resilience that we're going to do it. That we're going to find the money, that we're going to tell the story, that even in this media consolidation game, we're still being defiant and we'll get it done. And Latinos, the worst thing that you could tell Latinos is no. The worst thing you could tell me, like, that's the battery, that you could tell me no, that I can't do it.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And so all these people have had nos in their lives. You can attest to that. And there's a moat. There's something that triggers in you that God gifts in you, that there's a bigger vision that they don't see and you're going to do it. And so I think that that's it. The worst you could tell, I could tell you even, Victoria, is no on something that you profess that you want to do with yourself or how you want to take your brand or whatever. And then there's a moment where in your head you'll think, fuck this. I see a vision. God gave me the vision. You don't see it, come at me 2 years from now.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yes.
Calixto Chinchilla:
3 years from now. And so when you see Maliké Solid, when you see some of these other films, those were 5 years from now. You're just seeing it now. So there's that. I love that. And that's a beautiful thing. We're going to do it. You can't stop culture. You can't stop this. There's a lot of noise, but you can't stop this. And we'll continue to push it forward just as much as we've been able to push it forward for 25 years.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Mm-hmm.
Calixto Chinchilla:
The crazy thing is that when we first started this festival, everything that I put on it, like our posters, like we have these nice coffee table books that we put out every year, even your year you were there. But the first year we put limited edition because we thought it was the first year and the last, it would be the first and the last. So This is a limited edition. If you never get this book or you never see this poster again, that's it. 25 years later, I guess I'm still in edition. Not limited, but yeah. And so there's that.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
So I want to go back to this resilience piece because I agree with you. Latinos, we are a resilient people, okay? We make shit happen out of nothing. every single day. It comes very natural to us. Given the current climate that we are in right now, are there different strategies or tools that you are leveraging to remain resilient? Because I don't know about you, but it feels like the, the stack is much higher than ever before in terms of what is working against us. So how are you remaining resilient?
Calixto Chinchilla:
I don't need a front when I need help. If I need help, I don't need a front if I need help.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay.
Calixto Chinchilla:
So I think that it's being open and maybe opening up to be vulnerable and say, you know what, I need help, or I don't get this, or I need to breathe, or whatever the issues that you're going through. And I think sometimes We tend to hold a lot, but I think that it's being open and sharing that and sharing, asking for help when you need help. And so I've seen that a lot. I've seen a lot of executives that I know that don't have the title and like they're going through a chapter, the next chapter, what does that look like? And I think, and being vulnerable with that, like, and, but also knowing that your title doesn't define who you are. And so I think it's just like right now I find myself just talking to people and talking to other executive directors or even stuff like this. This could be therapeutic and just sharing insights and just like, okay, this is where I'm at. Are you feeling the same way I'm feeling or what do you think? And it's that, it's reaching out. And yes, you can't do that with everybody. And you can decipher for yourself who to be vulnerable and transparent to, but it's the act of doing it. You know what I mean? And I think that that's where I'm at right now personally, is that I don't have to hold it in fully anymore. I remember the other day, I just like, I need to walk out. I need to walk out this office. I need to walk in the park. And I literally called my friend and just vented. And he heard it all and took it. And that was the best. That's all I needed. Just listen. Yeah. Yeah. Just talk it through. It was all in my mind. You know what I mean? And yes, there's therapy, there's all those things, but there's something about just connecting with somebody that you know and a confidant that you can talk to and just You know, vet would, you know, just dispense it out.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah. You said something that I think is so critical right now. And essentially, and you tell me if I'm summing this up correctly, you remain resilient by no longer performing, like putting on the mask and pretending that you're good or everything is going according to plan or that you are holding everything together. What I'm hearing from you is right now you remain resilient by finding the spaces and people, containers where you're able to take off the armor and take off the mask and just like release.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Yeah. And being open about that. Like, if, you know, even when it comes to money, like it's hard to raise money for these things. And just being honest with it, being honest with your staff where things are going, having honest conversations even with your team. Like, I know it's going to be tough the next 3 years. I knew that before, you know, administration started to change what was going to happen and just prepping yourself for it. And it's like, folks, it's going to be a rough ride. So let's prepare how to pivot, you know what I mean? And also realizing I'm also realizing, and I've known this for a while, but how much my emotions affect everyone else.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Mm-hmm.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Or how I'm feeling like affects everyone else on my team. So you have to be strong for yourself, but you have to be strong for everybody else because if everybody else sees you, so then they get nervous. So I've also, it's also been about having open conversations and honest conversations with your team and having it together. unnecessary silo, but having it together as a team. This is what we're going through. These are the rough waters that are gonna happen a year from now, whatever. You know, this is how I think we should— how— this is how I think. And open, ask the question, how do you think we should buckle down? How do you think we should navigate this? 'Cause I don't have all the answers. And being collaborative and open with your team. Versus you holding up all the news and then telling them and then unloading bad news to them or whatever. Like, be transparent because they know.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
I mean, they know if you're stressing out and you don't tell them, your team, at least for me, they know. And then it's worse to keep a secret. You know what I mean? And so why keep a secret? Tell them what it is. Money's tight. Tell them what the money's tight. Tell them why. And so there's that. And I've always been that person. And so I think that's why our team is the way it is. Like, I'm really transparent. I'm open. We can't do it. We're not going to do it. These are the reasons why. We could do it. Okay, what's the solution for that? Talk. Like, let's talk to each other. Not even talk to me. Let's talk to each other, figure out how we're going to do it. And you may find in the process people have better ideas. You know what I mean? And like, people have connections or people are like, okay, I know this person. There's 6 degrees of separation, maybe less than that.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Mm-hmm.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And so, it's just— and so, trust the intelligence that you have. Lean on them. Lean on the people that you have. That's why they're there. Don't selectively lean on them when you want. Like, lean on them 100%. And they're not, you know, they're not here to judge me. I'm a human being just like they are. So, I could tell them how I'm feeling. If I'm feeling rough, I tell them like, you know, I'm not feeling myself today. This is bad, or this is going through this. Even this year, it's been rough raising money. And it's rough because a lot of our allies, and I'm pretty sure you've experienced this, Blacks and Latinos are the first to get fired. So you want to protect the allyship that you have in the building even more so by supporting them, amplifying their names in the rooms that they're not in. And showing up as best as you can for them and whatever, just helping them where you feel like you can help. You know what I mean? And so for me, it's like, that's also important.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I love that. I want to get deeper into that because there's a lot of talk around what people on the inside, right, in corporate should be doing for us and what they're not doing. And it's been really interesting. I had a conversation recently with an executive, super senior Latina, worked her ass off to get where she is. And she shared with me that her CEO, her CEO said to her, hey, maybe you should stop talking so much about how you care about these communities. Specifically, he meant Black and Latino communities. Because it's not a priority. And I don't want the other executives to think that that is the only value you bring to the executive suite. So I think you should dial back.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Start breaking.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Like, imagine hearing that after you've reached like the executive suite, and your CEO is telling you, hey, you should dial back your morals and your values right now, because nobody really cares.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Okay.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Like, that's got to be incredibly difficult to manage emotionally, mentally. I know it has impacts physically. But then here we are on the outside, you know, the entrepreneurs and the people who are counting on those folks inside to, to help us, right? And to figure out how to still get money or how to still build relationships, etc. And we're applying all this pressure and forgetting about how heavy the weight is that they are carrying. So you had mentioned about supporting them and doing what you can. How can we do that? Because I think it would be really helpful for us to figure out what that does look like so that we all survive on the inside, on the outside.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Let me tell you something. It's funny, Victoria. I even had somebody, I even had a major company, nameless, but, and you could tell it was heartbreaking for them. Like, I could cut you the check, it can't say Latino.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yes.
Calixto Chinchilla:
So I was like, okay, so cut it to me. And that's where we're at right now in some places. And then there's some companies that find a way. There's progressive companies, there's a lot of companies that will find a way, language, whatever. But literally, I had this major company saying, I'll do this, I can't have the word monkey in my—
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
So that's heartbreaking. And it was heartbreaking to the person who was telling me, because that person was Black and told me that. And I was like, wow, man. He's like, it's rough. And so I think the thing is, and some of it is personality-driven. I think for us, for the person who's on the outside looking in, yeah, these people are struggling. There's people who aren't even happy with their jobs. They're just there to sustain, make a living. They have kids, whatever the situation is, just like us.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right.
Calixto Chinchilla:
So some people are just in the building pushing, trying to stay, trying to maintain their keep. So I think it's also leading with that empathy coming in that it's not about you. It's not about me. And so, and also understanding that behind me, there's a bunch of people that are trying to get a piece of you or trying to get a piece of whatever bag or whatever that you possess, whatever influence that you possess, and understanding that. And they may not answer you all the time. They may not answer you quick enough or whatever, as quick as you want it. Or maybe they're doing that. They may be behind your back. They may be pushing the hell out of you and still trying to, you know what I mean? Like, those are really good angels, right? When you have people that are really trying to fight for you and you don't even know. You just want that email response when you want the email response, but you don't know, like, girl, I'm really trying to push this and give you a complete answer before I get back to you. And so it's understanding that there's a lot of noise and And I've seen it and I've had close friends that, yes, are partners of mine, but like we're friends. And I think that I can't teach you to have a personality. So I wish I have a golden answer for you. I don't. A lot of it is your own personality. For me, that's not, I'm not here to be aggressive with you. I'm here to, I understand I've been on the giving end. I'm still on the giving end. So, you know, I've managed funds. We've done that before and I've done it now. So I know what it is to be on the giving and the receiving side, and I know what it is to fight. So I just kind of lead with that empathy. And I'm grateful for anyone who answers me back fast. Actually, I pray on it. I'm like, thank you. You know what I mean? And pray up. I'm thankful for anyone who responds to me. Quick. I don't take any of it for granted. None of it. But again, I lead with empathy all the way and I try to meet them whatever it is that makes their lives easier. If you want me to simplify the document or whatever it is, how do you want me to present? How do I unload what I can so you don't have to overexplain yourself or whatever it is? And that's it. You know, it's like, okay, how can I help you? Help me help you. And don't make it all transactional. These are people too. And I think sometimes we only care about ourselves. And like some people, it's like you only care about getting your stuff funded and getting your stuff together. And it's like, wait a minute. Like, you know, these are, for me, a lot of people I deal with, they're personal friends.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
You know what I mean? And even if it's a 1-year thing or you're with me for multiple years or whatever, it's not gonna— I'm not gonna stop talking to you. I'm just, you know what I mean? I'm still gonna be here if you're a cool person. Yeah. If you're a great person, I'm still gonna be around. And again, it's how you make— it's how you treat people because I've had people that have title in one job and only to get a super duper title, A year or two later, in another company is like and reach out to me. And so it's it's that too. Like you don't know where a person's gonna go. And then I've had people that had title, big title, lose their jobs, and and still I'm I'm still gonna talk to you. And and those people remember. Who's still around checking on them when they don't have the title anymore. You remember the people who— it happened to me one time. I told somebody, you remember those who are around you when you have nothing to give. You have nothing to give. And this isn't life. This isn't the service that you do. Victoria, the day you have nothing to give, you know who's around you, who really has your back. That's it. So I lead with that.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah. I align with that 1,000%.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And when I have problems with the festival, when I have problems with my personal situation, I have receipts for that. I remember people I asked, like, oh, can you throw in a call for me? Can you throw a recommendation for me? Or whatever it is, something little. And there's sometimes the people that you helped out yourself. We don't have that access to give to them. Or you're going to see how people act and how people move in your own personal life. And that's true there.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
So again, I just remember, I'm not going to change how I function regardless of how you treat me or whatever it is. I'm gonna, I have my, this is who I am as a man, as a person, my character. My character's everything to me.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And that's it. You know, I lead with that. I really lead with empathy and understanding and I take people for who they are and that's it. There's no secret sauce beyond that. If somebody else is gonna hustle a different way, let them do it. You know what I mean? That's on them. But I don't have a magic bullet answer for you except for this.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, I think it's spot on. In my experience and what I'm hearing from people, especially in this AI era, and just so— there's such a disconnection to humanity on so many different levels that we're yearning for authenticity and not just it as a buzzword, but like, yo, do you really fuck with me or nah? And if you do, then let's make sure that we take care of each other, especially in moments like this. And that type of honesty and truth is what people are valuing more than ever before that I'm seeing. Before, I think you used to get away with like bullshitting and like, you know, maybe like, you know, pretending a little bit, getting a little chummy. But now I find—
Calixto Chinchilla:
Let's do lunch and then you talk and then you never see each other again. Right. And then you never see each other again, it's like, whatever.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
It's like, nobody got time for that anymore. Like, I can't just kiki with you. You have to be so intentional about who you're exchanging energy with and who you're sharing space with. Because I believe that we're learning that it really does impact you and how you show up in the world, right? Who you are having conversations with.
Calixto Chinchilla:
No, it does.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
It does.
Calixto Chinchilla:
I mean, even you and I, we met on a different front, but I will always remember I had a surgery and you met me, you came through. I wasn't feeling— I really was at a low. I was depressed. And it was a big surgery and you came through, no makeup on, no nothing. And you're like, I'm going to pick you up and drive you out. Mind you, I couldn't even move. This was that kind of a surgery. And you saw it. I was like, I'm not at a good space. And you did it. You drove through and screw it. And that meant a lot to me because I didn't feel like I had to perform for a minute. You know what I mean? And sometimes you feel like you're on. Sometimes you feel like you have to be on. You don't want to be on. And that was like a genuine moment where it didn't seem transactional. I'm going to be honest with you. So that I appreciate.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Aw, you're going to make me cry. Stop it.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Because even in this, even amongst your friends, you can front. You can act like it's all good. And maybe it's not, you know what I mean? Or maybe stuff is shifty. And even at that point, like I was going through a lot personally and you know and physically, I really wasn't you know trying to do it. And you were like, "I'm gonna pick you up." Vamos para fuera. And I didn't even know you like that. I mean, I mean, and so I was like, okay, like we're gonna do this. I was like, all right. And that whole time, I'm deadass. I was nervous. I was like, okay, what is? I can't perform because it's not real.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Wow, I did not know that. Oh, that really warms my heart. It really does. Oh, I just love, love, love when we can show gratitude to each other in this way and just see how easy it is. That was so easy for me to do. It did not take Like an enormous amount of effort for me to just show you, like, I cared. And also, like, you're gonna get through this.
Calixto Chinchilla:
You checked up on me, but okay, it's easy for you. But when you're on the receiving side, it feels foreign. But you're like, wait a minute, like, is that— was that— was the wrap? There's something else that's coming out of it.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
What's the point here?
Calixto Chinchilla:
What's the catch? Yeah. What's the, what's the capsule? What's the ellipsis in this? But, but, but, but. And it didn't come with dots. It just came with like, this is what I'm gonna do and that's it. If we talk again, that's great. Or whatever it is, you know what I mean? That's how you kept it. And we checked in every now and then. But like, I didn't expect that because that's not how I met you.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
I mean, I met you, I, I didn't even meet you technically at the festival. I may have seen you, but I didn't even meet you until like we had the conversation, you know? You're banking on cultura a live event. So it was that. So I'm used to, I'm being on, I'm Felix the Chinchilla, this thing. She's Victoria Jen, you know, doing this thing. That's it.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
So, and this was on some Sunday, cloudy day.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Random.
Calixto Chinchilla:
It was random stuff. And I'm like, okay, what's the next, what's coming after this? And nothing came from, you know what I mean?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
There was no, You know, that's a really great point about you talking about like being on the receiving end. And I think when you're an entrepreneur, when you're building something, when you are dealing with a lot of different personalities and understanding the corporate game and just understanding the politics, relationship building, all the things where—
Calixto Chinchilla:
Or when you're public.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Oh, somebody in public, right? You're almost conditioned to be like, what does this person want from me? Like, what's happening? Like, you're right.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Like, I had a friend just check up on me. I literally— like, how you doing? And I'm like, yeah, okay. You know, it's hard. Even like a dumb— and like a simple question like that. I wouldn't say a dumb question, but as simple as how are you doing? And you see that on text, you're like, Okay, like, I'm good. That, that, you know, and like, okay, I'm just checking up on you. I said, I said, is something wrong? Like, that's the first thing I've learned. Everything okay? Is something wrong? Like, I'm quick to find out, is something wrong with you? Is something wrong with you?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right. Like, are you checking up on me? Is there something wrong with you?
Calixto Chinchilla:
You know, like, do you need something? Can I help you with something? That's, that's the auto response.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yes.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And when somebody tells you, I'm just trying to see if you're straight, I'm just checking up on you, boom, boom, that's foreign. And that's kind of what needs to change. I thought pandemic would change us for a minute. When the world shut down, you would think some of us would shift behaviors, and some of us have, and some of us are back to doing the same old.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Or whatever. So that's when I say, you know, there's no magic bullet to it. There's no— it's a character and how you operate, and however it is they operate, that's fine. Like, I'm not here, you know, that's not what this conversation is about.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right, right, right.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Do what you gotta do. And that's, you know, that's it. But even those moments feel foreign to me, the simple text.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Especially when you're in the position of you're giving, you're like, I'm the giver, you know. So I'm used to being that person publicly or whatever it is. I'm used to being that.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Even like taking, taking, taking versus—
Calixto Chinchilla:
And I'm giving and I'm giving freely. It's like, I love my job. I love what I do. I know what I signed up for. I know all of that. I know the impact, all of those things.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
But Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And it's funny because if you think we have it hard, look at some celebrities. Like, you know, I've seen some celebrities even be more transparent, whether that's on Lizzo or whoever. Like, I've seen it with Bad Bunny or some other artists that they've had this moment of transparency that they'll share with their audience. Like, wait a minute, I need a mental break. Or even Ariana, like, Grande, I need a mental break. I'm gonna give you this and I need a break. And that's being honest about it. Don't talk about my shit, don't talk about it. You know, it's like, there's that. And I think it's— so for me, that's the space I'm at, is just being open, empathetic, you know, transparent and just stick to the heart. That's all I can be, man.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And that's what makes you dope as hell and why people continue to support you and show up. So the festival is going on What dates?
Calixto Chinchilla:
September 15th through the 20th. But we kick off with our Futuro Digital Conference, which is this Sunday. And it's a great conference. We have some action-packed, some great folks, and it's really about the business of social. And so as the festival has grown, you know, we're beyond just film and television. It's how do we meet creators and audiences, you know, wherever they're thriving. And a lot of that is in mobile. You're seeing a lot of change in vertical content creation. People want to know how to best monetize. Meta keeps changing the algos on Instagram constantly. That man is talking about, I changed this, we changed this, this is how you get this impression, the guy who runs Instagram. And it's just like, wait a minute, when am I going to win? Like, wait a minute, when does the algo just stay silent for a minute and let me run it? Because y'all just don't want to see people win.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
The digital conference, that's like a prelude kickoff to—
Calixto Chinchilla:
So it teaches you some tips and tricks and we, you learn from different executives. So this year, yeah, we're covering leadership, we're covering mentorship, we're having digital, we're having mental wellness, digital mental wellness, even comedies. We're having, you know, we're focusing on different comedians that do comedic content and how they're monetizing. So it's different. It's really unique and it's holistic, but centered around social. And then there's the festival itself. We open with Ultra. There's a bunch of films and events that are happening throughout the city. And then we close with a block party on September 20th. There'll be music, food. It's always popular, that block party. So we're going to do that in Dyckman. And then, yeah, it's probably the last party of the summer.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay, dope. I love that. So where do people go to get tickets?
Calixto Chinchilla:
Magic, magic question. NYLatinofilmFestival.com. And they can find us on Instagram, NY Latino Film Festival, on Facebook, New York Latino Film Festival, and X, NYLFF. So we're all— we're big on the socials. You can find us on every social media thing.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And our community is really engaging, even outside of the festival, even when the festival ends. You know, our handles are really engaging on all things you know, of the culture. And so, you know, please follow us. It's a great slate. I will tell you that. We got Salma Hayek in the festival. So it's crazy.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Oh, dope. I love that. I mean, you always got people pop out.
Calixto Chinchilla:
People pop out. People pop out. People get dressed. Don't come looking corny. I don't want to say that, but I'm going to call it that. But, you know.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Don't come corny. Like, people find your booty in it, like you said.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And network. And you never know who you're meeting. And the festival is literally one of those things that you never know You know, let me tell you something. I had a volunteer, a volunteer that served secretly, and he was a VP at a major company.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Oh, shoot.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Never knew. And was like, yo, and just, I think he just didn't want to show the type, just like, how would I be treated here, whatever. And lived for it.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
That's fly.
Calixto Chinchilla:
And I was like, what? He's like, and he called me after and we would talk, we're good. But he's a VP and we're cool. But he remembers how he's treated. And that goes to the older, like the saying, you treat people wherever they are, to the janitor, to the person who's cleaning or whatever it is, it doesn't matter. You treat people with dignity and respect, period.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Well, hermano, I think that's a great way to end today's episode. Thank you so much for joining us.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Thank you.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
For being candid, for being transparent, and for showing, you know, there's a human behind every major production, every major project, every big company. There is a human being on the other side of that bad boy. So don't forget that. Make sure to get your tickets, go to the festival, It is super, super duper fly. You know, there's some Pinky Parao, there's Kultura, there's—
Calixto Chinchilla:
There's some free events, there's some VIP events.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
There's some free events. Like any flavor that you want, you can get by attending different activations and just being a part of different things that are going on with the festival. So thank you so much, Calixto, and sending you dope vibes for an amazing festival, which I know is incredible.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Thank you so much.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Because you guys literally pay attention to every detail and got some really good folks that you are partnering with. So congratulations on year 26.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Yeah. Yeah, but I didn't hear that. But yeah, thank you so much. I appreciate this.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
All right. All right, guys, thank you so much for tuning in. As always, if you appreciated today's episode, make sure to share it with someone. There were a lot of nuggets that were dropped today. So if someone needs to hear this episode, make sure you go out and you share it. Also remember to leave us feedback. We love your feedback. And that also helps us get discovered. So make sure to engage and show some love. Until then, I'll see you in the next episode. Abrazos, besitos. Bye, guys.
Calixto Chinchilla:
Bye.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Build institutions that make people feel seen and connected.
Treat “no” as information, not a final verdict.
Ask for help before pressure turns into isolation.
Share difficult financial realities with your team instead of creating unnecessary secrecy.
Invite your team into problem-solving. They may have the idea or relationship that changes the outcome.
Support corporate allies with empathy. They may be navigating constraints you cannot see.
Keep relationships human, even when funding or business is involved.
Remember who showed up when there was no obvious benefit.
Treat every person with dignity, regardless of title or status.
Let authenticity guide both your brand and your decisions.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Calixto Chinchilla is the founder of the New York Latino Film Festival, which has grown into a 26-year cultural institution. The festival brings together filmmakers, audiences, creatives, executives, and community members through screenings, events, digital programming, and opportunities to connect.
Under Calixto Chinchilla’s leadership, the festival has expanded beyond film and television. Its Futuro Digital Conference focuses on the business of social, including digital content, monetization, leadership, mentorship, comedy, and mental wellness.
What makes Calixto Chinchilla’s approach distinctive is his focus on relationships. He consistently returns to one question: “Did we treat you well?” For him, the way people are treated during their come-up matters long after the event, job, or title has changed.
Connect with Calixto ChinChilla:
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