Clementina Martinez-Masarweh was born in Merced, California. She is a first generation Mexican-American filmmaker. Her parents worked as farm laborers and she lived in a migrant camp as a child. Occasionally, working alongside her brothers on agricultural fields during school breaks. Her father marched with Cesar Chavez and witnessing this led her to become an advocate for the environment and human rights as it intersects with the fashion industry.
Clementina always used her imagination in telling stories in everything she got involved with. Using storytelling in fashion or in film. With over 20 years experience as a fashion designer and a leader in sustainability, she saw first hand the detrimental effects the fashion industry was creating on the environment. This led her to focus only on sustainable and circular fashion. As a visionary, she also noticed there were not many conversations on climate solutions and climate action at the time with no focal points on this unregulated industry. She then pivoted to writing stories for films that would motivate and inspire others to join the climate change movement. Her first film “Vida Vert” was produced in 2020 during the first pandemic lockdown. Working with director Theo Michel. The film highlights the opportunity we have to slow down during the Pandemic and questions if humanity will make the right choices for the planet once Lockdowns are over. Along with mentioning the unhealthy practices of the fashion industry, overconsumption and how we need community to make change happen. Nominated for Most Inspirational, Best Voice Actor and winning Best Editing. This then led her to outline the “Upcyclers” story. Working with Roxana Chapela, the director. Upcyclers: Fashion’s Climate Frontliners film has been nominated for best short documentary, best editing, most inspirational and has won globally for Best Eco Message, Best Foreign Fashion Film, Most Sustainable and Most Inspirational.
Going forward she has many stories outlined that intersect with the environment, fashion and climate change. She looks forward to getting funding for these films and episodic projects to get produced. She also hopes to see more support for Latina filmmakers as herself.
Clementina also utilizes her voice with education in sustainability via a podcast for The Raine School. Speaking at conferences and summits. Along with advocating for garment workers through the Garment Workers Center in Los Angeles for equality. She also enjoys representing and collaborating with organizations like Slow Fashion Movement, Citizens Climate, SFSFWI, Fashion Revolution and Remake to name a few.
Clementina’s work has been featured on NYC Times Square billboard, NYC Climate Week, Music videos, No Kill Magazine, PAGE Magazine, International Film Festivals, Golden Gate Xpress, Impact Fashion NYFW, Clean Beauty Kit, San Francisco Sustainable Fashion Week International, Earth Day Summit Los Angeles, East Bay Economic Development Alliance, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and more.