I truly believe that where you grow up shapes you, and lucky for me, I was born and raised in the heart of Mexico City! It's a place filled with so much contrast, from the beautiful people and art to the rampant social injustice. When I was a little kid, my mom and I used to hit up Acapulco, where we'd spend the days collecting seashells on the beach and walking in the sand. Then, by nightfall, my dad and I would lay on the shore and gaze up at the starry night sky, which was lit up like the seashells we'd gathered during the day. It's a memory I cherish to this day. But, when I hit up the beach recently, it was a real gut punch to see all the trash polluting the shore. And to make matters worse, I found seven dead turtles, some with plastic wrapped around their little limbs. It was heartbreaking. And when I looked up at the sky, it wasn't nearly as bright as I remembered. That experience sparked something inside of me, a drive to do more than just clean up the beach. I want to inspire people to protect our planet, to keep it safe and clean for all of us. It's not just nostalgia for the good old days - it's a new passion for present-day activism and love for nature. Most importantly, I want to spread some love for Latinx culture and encourage young people to be proud of their roots, to embrace their heritage and the natural world. I mean, have you seen the news lately? It seems like racism towards our community is on the rise, with kids in cages and even a former president calling us "rapists." It's time for a change, and it starts with showing the world how beautiful and vibrant our culture really is.

As a little girl, I would sow flowers into thick ropes of fragrant color that my family would then gift or sell. It was was a tradition that, as a Native Hawaiian, I knew intimately, having spent many cool mornings picking blossoms of jasmine or crown flowers amongst the butterflies and bees. So, when producer Concepcion Saucedo-Trejo shared a real story from 1915 about a girl named Emma Pollock who loved to gift the last Queen of Hawai`i with flower garlands, it immediately felt like destiny. I felt like I knew Emma. As we began the process of collaborating with Director of Animation Daniel Sousa, I knew I wanted the film to be filled with visual kaona or Hawaiian layers of meaning. Every scene was not only painstakingly built off of historical reference images, it was also carefully encoded with symbols and gestures rich with meaning in Hawaiian culture. The intention was to present a nuanced introduction to traditions from my home mixed with staple elements of fantasy to make the work broadly accessible. In turn, my hope is that the first viewing of the film offers a feast for the eyes and on subsequent viewings there will be new details to discover and marvel over. The silent film quality of the movie was designed to force viewers to focus on the visuals on screen, rather than lean on dialogue to carry the storytelling. The world has seen high quality animation about Hawai`i made by the likes of Disney or Pixar, however THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS was made independently from within the Native Hawaiian community. It is exciting to think of reclaiming authorship of our Native stories for our children, especially for young Indigenous girls. So often when we think of history, we don’t think of children, let alone little girls. More often than not, the stories that come to mind are those of politicians or scientists or larger-than-life personas, particularly when it comes to film. Now, complicate this narrative by considering the dearth of depictions of Native Hawaiian children on screen. By engaging Emma’s viewpoint, we acknowledge children of our past while also igniting the imaginations of the kids of today. And, for myself, a former headstrong little Native girl, I get to share my love note to a woman long gone but still cherished, Queen Lili`uokalani.

"Ameka and Her Magical Crown" is an enchanting animated series that celebrates diversity, empowerment, and the strength within. As the director, I'm thrilled to bring Ameka's magical journey to life, inspiring audiences of all ages to embrace their uniqueness and face life's challenges with courage. Through stunning animation and a diverse cast of characters, we craft a visually captivating world that reflects the richness of the themes explored. Our series encourages empathy, teamwork, and using one's power to uplift others, fostering seeds of compassion and resilience in young hearts. "Ameka and Her Magical Crown" is not just entertainment; it's a heartfelt adventure inspiring self-discovery and kindness, with a powerful message that will resonate with audiences worldwide.