Meet Álvaro Núñez Secchi | Film Director & Screenwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Álvaro Núñez Secchi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Álvaro, why did you pursue a creative career?
It wasn’t a straight path for me. I actually studied business and even dentistry before finally choosing film. For a while, I tried to follow what seemed like a more ‘practical’ career, but deep down, storytelling was always what truly fascinated me.
I’ve always been drawn to the complexity of human relationships—how we define ourselves, especially in relation to others. At some point, I realized that film was the most powerful way for me to explore those themes. So, I took the leap.
My early work was in documentary filmmaking, capturing stories about Latin American identity and cultural preservation. That background still influences my fiction today, where I explore identity, family, and the way personal and societal expectations collide.
For me, filmmaking isn’t just about telling stories—it’s about questioning things, starting conversations, and hopefully making people see the world a little differently.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My creative process revolves around capturing the unspoken—the moments of tension, contradiction, and transformation that define who we are. I’m drawn to stories where identity isn’t fixed but constantly shifting, shaped by the people around us. My characters often find themselves at a crossroads, where personal truths clash with societal expectations, and the way they navigate those conflicts is what fascinates me the most. I like to explore what’s left unsaid, the weight of a glance, the silence between words—because that’s where the real story happens.

Many of my stories are inspired by personal experiences. I take moments, emotions, or conflicts that have stayed with me and reshape them to fit my dramatic goals. It’s not about recreating reality but distilling something true and transforming it into a narrative that resonates on a deeper level.

Right now, I’m really excited about my current feature project, which challenges traditional ideas of family and relationships. I’ve always been interested in how deeply personal struggles can reflect larger social dynamics, and I aim to tell stories that feel both intimate and universal. My approach isn’t about providing answers—I want my films to sit with people, to linger, to challenge the way they see themselves and others.

Of course, getting here hasn’t been easy. Filmmaking is unpredictable, and there’s no single path to ‘making it.’ The biggest challenge has been learning to embrace uncertainty while staying true to my creative instincts. Over time, I’ve come to see that what truly shapes an artist isn’t just talent, but perspective. For me, that means embracing uncertainty, looking beyond the obvious, and allowing discomfort to be part of the process. I’ve learned that having the right people around—those who challenge and inspire me—helps me see things in new ways and push my work further than I could on my own.

At the end of the day, it’s all about engaging with the world—not through spectacle, but through nuance. I’m not interested in escapism. I want to tell stories that feel raw, that leave something unresolved, something to wrestle with long after the credits roll.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I wouldn’t go for the typical tourist spots—I’d want to show them the simple things and unique places that actually mean something to me. We’d start with a sunset by the ocean, because there’s nothing like watching the sky change colors over the water. Seafood would definitely be on the list, something fresh and local.
Of course, we’d have to check out a great Latinx restaurant or bar—somewhere with good music, a relaxed vibe, and a strong cocktail in hand.
I also love being in nature, so we’d take a break from the city and escape somewhere more remote, maybe a drive up the coast or a hike in the mountains—just somewhere quiet where you can breathe and disconnect for a while.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I always keep in mind my family, who has supported me through every choice, especially when I decided to pursue an artistic career instead of a more conventional one. I started out studying business and dentistry, and I know it wasn’t easy for them to see me change paths—especially with both of my parents being dentists. But despite any doubts or frustrations, they always stood by me, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

I’m also incredibly thankful for my friends and colleagues. This career can be tough, filled with challenges and moments of doubt, but having people who inspire me and cheer me on makes all the difference. Especially my best friend, Hsiao Wen Hsu, who has always inspired me and stood by my side through the best and worst moments. She is truly an angel.

And finally, my professors and mentors. I’ve learned so much from them—not just about filmmaking, but about dedication, patience, and passion for storytelling. Their guidance has shaped me in so many ways and reassured me that I’m on the right track.

Website: https://www.alvaronunezsecchi.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/al_orestes?igsh=eXkxY2RvdHA4MWxx

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvaro-orestes-nunez-secchi