Arianna Ortiz on Directing The Birthday Gift | Filmmaker Mixer

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with director Arianna Ortiz to discuss her short film The Birthday Gift, adapted from Stephanie Alison Walker’s play The Abuelas. Arianna shares how she translated a stage story into a cinematic experience while maintaining emotional authenticity. We explore directing actors, navigating adaptation challenges, and how Arianna’s background in acting influences her filmmaking. With a feature version currently in development, this conversation is packed with insights for filmmakers looking to adapt material and tell culturally specific stories with depth.