Paolo Rein

Born in the Philippines and brought over at the age of 2, Paolo Rein is an emerging Writer, Film Director, and Activist local to Carson, California, and the greater South Bay LA Area. Having grown up undocumented with immigrant parents and dabbling in the gutters of gang life but not affiliated, Paolo’s early exposure to such unjust ubiquitous systems that exploit communities, keeping their populations impoverished or imprisoned, have greatly influenced his perspective in narrative filmmaking and music. Inspired by the society around him, he aims to tackle colorism, representation on film, mental health, mentorship, and social and political themes through diverse established world-building narratives. He challenges associated assumptions limited by the audience’s perception of specific displayed images and sounds that correlate to our everyday archetypes but are stereotyped into pre-labeled narratives engrained by current networks in power. 

His last short film, ‘F.Y.I.,’ which premiered at the 2022 Philidelphia Asian American Film Festival, deconstructed the triumphs and pitfalls of an undocumented Indian Asian as they navigate both their film career and homesick anxieties set in a terminal political climate. Additionally, as a member of the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective and his various contributions towards immigrant rights, he has continuously advocated for immigrants and formerly incarcerated individuals to explore their narratives in the film entertainment world. Whether introducing talent on set with a darker complexion to developing fantastical narratives in tandem with social affirmation, Paolo has provided experience(s) and education to those seeking to work in an industry that has long denied a community of creatives.

Email: paolo@undocufilmmakers.org