Meet Israel Torres | Filmmaker, photographer, content creator @israel.films
We had the good fortune of connecting with Israel Torres and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Israel, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My name is Israel Torres, known as @israel.films on social media. I was born in Jalisco, Mexico. Growing up as an immigrant in the U.S., I quickly realized I didn’t have the same privileges as others. This became even more apparent when I applied to college and found out I didn’t qualify for FAFSA. That pushed me to work even harder, jumping straight into the workforce and building a career without the support of higher education.
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.
The journey to where I am today has been filled with challenges. Mental health has been my greatest challenge, but it has also been my greatest motivation. Each struggle has taught me resilience and the importance of using my platform to spark meaningful conversations. The lessons I’ve learned along the way have fueled my passion—not just to create content but to tell stories that matter, stories that connect with people on a deeper level.
My goal is to inspire others to be open about their struggles and to find healing through creativity, just as I have. Through israel.films, I aim to continue making an impact by telling stories that reflect both the beauty and complexity of everyday life.
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.
I’ve now lived in Los Angeles for five years, continuing to pursue my dreams in the film industry. I’m more in love with this city than I ever imagined. One of my favorite places to film and visit is Santa Monica—there’s something so romantic, mysterious, and cool about it. If I ever go missing, just head to Santa Monica, and you’ll find me there!
@israel.films No cuz this view deserves an oscar nomination
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?
I’m a filmmaker, photographer, and the creator behind @israel.films (1.8M+ followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube). My videos capture the raw essence of everyday moments, emotions, and human experiences.
If there’s one thing I credit for my career, as unusual as it might sound, it’s my mental health. I’ve dealt with mental illness from a young age, and it played a major role in shaping me as a storyteller. I learned to express emotions through videos I shared online, and people deeply connected with them. That connection helped me grow my social media presence quickly.
After achieving some success on social media and getting amazing opportunities, I began writing my short film, “My Little Astronaut.” It’s more than just a film to me—it’s my autobiography. Through this project, I was able to explore my own struggles with mental health, a theme that has shaped both my personal life and my career. Tackling such a sensitive and personal subject wasn’t easy, but it opened doors for me. The film made its way into several film festivals, ultimately earning me recognition as an award-winning filmmaker.
@israel.films Im excited to announce the official release of my film “My Little Astronaut” on October 10th at 7pm PST! 🧑🏽🚀⭐️
Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@israel.films?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israel.films/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@israelfilms
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