Kristian Mercado

A visionary of the modern era, Kristian Mercado, hailed from Puerto Rico, was born in 1980 and began his career in 2007. Known for his work in music videos and short films, his most notable works include "Pa'lante" and "Happyland", both of which are critically acclaimed for their raw depiction of Puerto Rican life. He has been lauded with numerous awards, including the SXSW Jury Award for Music Video in 2019. Often praised for his ability to blend aesthetic beauty with gritty realism, Mercado’s work speaks volumes about the dichotomy of life in the Caribbean. A genuine auteur, Kristian Mercado brings an authentic, heart-rending perspective to the world of filmmaking, capturing the resilience and strength of his culture through his lens.