The Art of Belonging

This short documentary explores the impact of Pamela Rojas on Kitchener-Waterloo’s art scene. Her murals have transformed the city’s landscape, giving voice to community identity and creativity, and have become a symbol of belonging and change.

  • Israel Herrero Almeria
    Director
  • Israel Herrero Almeria
    Writer
  • Adam Eichholz
    Producer
  • Pamela Rojas
    Key Cast
  • Juanita Metzger
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 12, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    300 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Conestoga College
Director Biography - Israel Herrero Almeria

Israel Herrero is a filmmaker based in Kitchener, Canada. With a background in TV and Independent Production, he is passionate about telling stories that explore identity, community and humanity. The Art of Belonging is his first short documentary, and it showcases his ability to capture powerful narratives with a visually rich and human-centred approach. In addition to documentary work, Israel has experience in commercial production, news segments, and multimedia content creation. He is also the founder of Motif Studio, a creative production company focused on video and event production.

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Director Statement

The Art of Belonging is my first short documentary, and it began with a simple but powerful question: How does art improve people's lives? When I first encountered Pamela Rojas’s story, I knew we needed to share it with the world. Her art, in particular her murals, has brought people together, telling stories of resilience, culture, and belonging.

Through this film, I wanted to do more than document Pamela’s work; I wanted to explore the deeper impact of public art on the communities it serves and make a wake-up call for the different agencies that can support its growth in our region. As a filmmaker, I believe storytelling has the power to connect people, and this documentary is my way of capturing how one artist’s vision can transform public spaces and improve people's lives.