Neon Octopus

Camila Saldarriaga is an award-winning Colombian-American director based in LA. She is dedicated to embracing diversity as well as spotlighting social issues and female experiences in her work.
Her first short film, ¡Mais Duro! - about a Colombian teenager who gives into her curiosities and ignites her journey towards self-discovery - was accepted to eleven film festivals worldwide such as Oscar-qualifying Outfest. It won Best Narrative Short at Nordic International Film Festival, and it garnered a Special Mention by juror Kim Yutani, Sundance Senior programmer, at Provincetown Film Festival.
In association with The Inertia, one of the most recognized surfing channels in the United States, Camila launched her latest project, the documentary "Las Shapers.” A thoughtful glimpse into the lives of three women breaking the boundaries of traditionally gendered roles and blazing a new path in the world of surfboard making. To date, “Las Shapers” has won the best screenplay at Lagoa Surfe Arte, Brazil and has been selected to festivals worldwide.
Lastly, her second narrative short “Neon Octopus” and non-linear dance short film, “Orenda,” starring Paulina Davila, are currently in the 2020 festival run. Camila is also co-writing and developing a feature film, "Kombuchacabra" - a story that follows a punk Latina feminist as she navigates her gentrifying neighborhood and stands up to the seductive Kombuchacabra — a coven of white vampires moonlighting as yogis and hipsters who feed on the blood of her Latino community.
Several of Camila’s other bodies of work (photography and videos) have been published in Purple Magazine, Nylon, Hello Giggles, Milk Magazine among others.
Camila holds a B.A. in Communications from Florida International University with a minor in Photography and Art. Camila mentors youth at the Latino Film Institute - Youth Cinema Project.