Today we’d like to introduce you to Marco.
Hi Marco, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Marco Navarro, and I’m a filmmaker from Seaside, California. Ever since elementary school, I knew I was going to become a filmmaker.
Back then, my film experience revolved around going to a local mexican market down the street of my house and buying boot-legged movies out of a very kind man’s trunk. I would look forward to that trip with my dad every week, where we would pick 4-6 movies to view at the house. Despite the poor quality, I would remain engaged to those movies and it would spark my curiosity. I would watch behind the scene videos of my favorite films at the time and be so intrigued on how people would be able to bring their dreams to life. Notably, Transformers (2007) and Batman (1989) were projects I was deeply fascinated with as a child, absorbing all I can about the behind the scenes work.
Growing up, storytelling was a part of how we connected with one another in my family. The stories my parents shared and the way they could find humor and meaning in everyday experiences had a huge and everlasting influence on me. This pushed me to write stories down in my free time and put my dreams to paper.
When I began studying film in college, I fell in love not only with filmmaking itself, but with the communal aspect of the process. Every person I meet brings their own experiences and creative voice to a project. Bringing like-minded people together and creating an environment where they can work in unison towards an artistic goal is one of the things I value most about filmmaking. This mindset is what brings me to be a part of productions to all sorts of locations, including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Soon after completing my film degree I became a show runner for the episodic project titled “916”, which has seen success across the festival circuit, including back-to-back premieres of the first two episodes at Los Angeles International Film Festival in 2025/26.
Alongside my independent work, I continued freelancing throughout the Bay Area before becoming a full-time producer in 2024 for one of the largest YouTube channels in the world, where I help develop large-scale productions that reach millions of viewers globally. That experience has given me the opportunity to work across digital media and commercial production while continuing to sharpening my voice as a filmmaker. Most notably, I’ve served as a producer on a Sesame Street Christmas special in 2025.
Following “916” I wrote and directed “Little One”, which is currently making its way through the festival circuit, including an east coast premiere at the New York Latino Film Festival. The film revolves around the beginning of a zombie apocalypse, told through the perspective of a family owned grocery store (much like the one I used to go to purchase films as a kid). The project is especially meaningful to me because it was shot entirely in my hometown of Seaside and allowed me to tell a story rooted in the community that shaped me.
My newest film, “We’re Here Now”, wrapped filming in September 2026 in New York City. It is a complete 180 from “Little One”, where it’s a family centered drama/comedy, focusing on the reconnection between two half-siblings after decades of being a part. The film is directly inspired by an incredible true story my mother experienced and continues my exploration of how people can move forward together and choose to see a brighter future.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I knew going into this industry that nothing would come easy. I’ve faced hurdle after hurdle with every production I’ve worked on, and balancing my independent filmmaking with my professional work has put me in extremely demanding positions. Before I landed work in Youtube, I was a freelancer working in various productions, most of the time working in IATSE as a Stage hand or Box loader. There have been plenty of days when I’ve worked a 10 hour production days, only to come home and immediately jump into meetings and preparation for my next film project. Sometimes you have to figure it out as you go, adapt to what’s in front of you, and keep moving forward. That process has taught me a lot about stamina. Every project has presented a new challenge, but each one has also pushed me to become a better filmmaker.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a film director, writer, and producer. I write what I direct, and produce the stories that I would love to see on screen.
At the center of everything I make is my interest in family, identity, and the challenges that shape us. More specifically, I’m interested in the question of why people keep moving forward. Life can be so, so difficult, and many of my stories begin in moments of loss or fear. I’m drawn to the small ways people find brightness in the world and in one another. I want my films to explore that human instinct, that drive to keep going and to continuously find purpose in what we do. As my career continues, I want to be known for not sticking to one genre, as I believe strong stories relies on it’s impactful characters. Horror, Romance, Westerns, Dramas, I want to do it all!
I’m most proud of creating grounded characters, people that you’ve seen growing up in your community and that can personally relate to. So far, I’ve produced/directed multiple genres of film and episodic projects and am extremely excited to keep it going with the slate of projects I have planned in the near future.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising that most people don’t know about me is that my dream project would to do a limited TV series. After doing feature film work, a limited series would be the next medium that I would love dive into. The exploration of characters across a 4-6 episode series and the stakes you’ll be able to create is something that excites every piece of me as a filmmaker.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://navarrofilms.com
- Instagram: @marcoenp
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-navarro-74b425233
Image Credits
Photo By Dominic Morales, Josh Berndt
