“Haunted by the question of whether he has done anything to make his late father proud, a bartender risks humiliation in the salsa world to prove he can change.”
Discovering Your Fire
FUEGO is an award-winning feature screenplay inspired by the short film of the same name.
Set within San Diego's vibrant salsa community, the story follows Giovanni "Gio" Burgos, a bartender searching for purpose after the loss of his father. What begins as an attempt to honor his father's passion for salsa dancing becomes a journey of self-discovery, family, romance, and personal growth.
At its heart, FUEGO asks a simple question:
What keeps your fire burning?
Best Screenplay — International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival 2024
Finalist — Urbanworld Film Festival (OSCAR Qualifying) Film Festival 2024
Why This Story
FUEGO began in 2021 after I watched In the Heights and realized I couldn't name a Puerto Rican or Dominican director visibly leading major Hollywood films. I wanted to change that. My goal was simple: create a short film that could serve as a portfolio piece and demonstrate who I was as a director, actor, and storyteller.
The problem was that I didn't have a story.
While learning screenwriting, I found myself encouraging my brother and friends to pursue the things that made them happy rather than settling for lives they didn't want. Many didn't believe they could. That question stayed with me: Why do some people pursue their dreams while others convince themselves they can't?
As I developed the project, I returned to bartending after the pandemic. At first, I felt like a failure. Instead, the experience became one of the greatest gifts to the story. Surrounded by regulars, conversations, and observations about life, I began filling bar pads with ideas, dialogue, and reflections. The character of Gio slowly emerged from that experience.
Then everything changed during a family gathering when we watched old VHS tapes of my late father dancing salsa.
Despite the hardships he faced throughout his life, the joy on his face was undeniable. Salsa wasn't just music to him. It was culture, community, identity, and expression. Watching those tapes helped me understand what had been missing from my own life since his passing.
That realization became the heart of FUEGO.
What started as a short film intended to help me get work became something much larger. It connected me to my father, my culture, my community, and ultimately a deeper sense of purpose. Today, FUEGO continues to grow beyond a film and serves as the foundation for storytelling, education, cultural events, and a mission to help others discover their own inner fire.
Before FUEGO Became a Feature
FUEGO began as a short film created in 2021 as a personal tribute and creative portfolio piece. The film went on to screen at festivals, win screenplay awards, and inspire the development of the feature-length version.
Watch the Award-Winning Short Film
Support FUEGO
FUEGO is currently raising funds to enter production. Below are ways to support the project:
Make a Tax-Deductible Donation
Tax-deductible donations may be made through our fiscal sponsor, Media Arts Center San Diego (MACSD). Contributions support the continued development of FUEGO, an independent feature film rooted in culture, storytelling, and community impact, while also helping advance educational and creative initiatives that inspire the next generation of storytellers.
To support the mission with a tax-deductible contribution, please use the donation link below. You will be directed to a secure Zeffy donation page managed by Media Arts Center San Diego on behalf of FUEGO and its educational mission.
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Become a Sponsor or Community Partner
Businesses, organizations, and community leaders interested in supporting the film can reach out to explore partnership opportunities.
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Investment Opportunities
Accredited and qualified investors interested in learning more about FUEGO may request additional information.
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Attend Workshops & Events
Join upcoming storytelling workshops, community gatherings, and cultural events connected to the mission behind FUEGO.