Breaking: Ecuadorian filmmaker Kristofh Pozo crafts a global career from London too Miami, balancing art and life
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Ecuadorian filmmaker Kristofh Pozo crafts a global career from London too Miami, balancing art and life
- 2. Early crossroads and a lens to the world
- 3. A breakthrough moment and the USC turning point
- 4. From Ecuador to Miami: a shift toward bigger stages
- 5. A philosophy shift: personal life as the real project
- 6. Continued ties to Ecuador and new creative ventures
- 7. Music, collaboration, and a visual universe
- 8. Table: Key milestones at a glance
- 9. Evergreen takeaways for artists and creators
- 10. Two prompts for readers
- 11. >Received teh Best Documentary Short award at the LATINO Film Festival Miami.
- 12. Early Life in Ecuador – Roots that Shape a Vision
- 13. the Move to Miami – A Strategic leap
- 14. Film Career Highlights – From Shorts to Festival Screens
- 15. Music Projects – Crafting a Sonic Identity
- 16. Cross‑Disciplinary Collaboration – The Film‑Music fusion Model
- 17. Impact on the Latino Creative Community
- 18. Practical Tips for Aspiring Film‑Music Artists (Inspired by Pozo’s Public Advice)
- 19. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In a journey that spans three continents, Kristofh Pozo has turned a spontaneous passion into a transnational career in film, music videos, and live festival production. What began as a teenager’s curiosity about cameras blossomed into collaborations with stars like Shakira, Luis Fonsi, Greeicy, and Sebastián Yatra, and a pivotal role on the Ultra Music Festival team. Pozo’s mantra shifted from chasing external acclaim to shaping his own life narrative, a pivot he credits with sustaining his growth and well‑being.
Early crossroads and a lens to the world
At 17, Pozo journeyed to London through a Work Skills programme, working as a waiter while saving to buy a compact HD camera he carried everywhere. Lacking formal training, he relied on intuition and a relentless drive to learn. After returning to Ecuador, he pursued film studies but soon realized the fit wasn’t right, prompting him to seek work directly with clients.
He began photographing and filming in Ecuador’s nightlife scene, sharing content online for clubs and venues. Immersed in festival culture,he studied pioneering filmmakers such as Charly Friedrichs,fueling a dream of working at the intersection of music,image,and emotion.
A breakthrough moment and the USC turning point
In 2015, just days before a submission deadline, Pozo learned of an international scholarship contest. He and actress friend María Karla Gómez produced a short piece in a two‑day window, scoring a win that acknowledged his potential. The project’s original music was recorded by his sister, who was just learning guitar. The win convinced him to pursue further study at the University of Southern California, where a core teaching resonated: audiences remember emotions, not gear.
From Ecuador to Miami: a shift toward bigger stages
With new perspectives, Pozo left Ecuador when he felt the local ceiling was too low for his ambitions. He moved to Miami, where he built a portfolio that included work for Carín León, Greeicy, Shakira, Luis Fonsi, and Sebastián Yatra. In the Yatra video Tacones Rojo, he contributed to an iconic collaboration that showcased his evolving storytelling style, while a moment during Shakira’s album presentation underscored a lesson in humility: human imperfection connects with audiences more deeply than prestige.
For five years, Pozo has been part of Ultra Music festival’s creative teams in both Miami and Spain, a role that places him beside artists at the Mainstage-an arena he once watched on screens as a teenager. The experience reinforced a crucial question: does fame bring happiness, or does personal meaning hold greater value?
I’m not here to make anyone happy, but as I wont to leave a mark on my own life.
Kristofh Pozo
A philosophy shift: personal life as the real project
The realization that happiness can be elusive when chasing external validation prompted Pozo to recalibrate. He embraced a more balanced lifestyle-cutting back on alcohol, prioritizing sleep, and prioritizing friendships-so he could sustain long‑term creativity and well‑being.
Continued ties to Ecuador and new creative ventures
Pozo’s bond with Ecuador remains strong. In May, he and his partner, Angela Dusso, produced the documentary Humanamente, traversing Azuay, Morona santiago, Pastaza, and Pichincha to explore personal growth and breaking out of comfort zones. The project, created with influencers and locals, is in post‑production with no release date yet.
He also cofounded the Hedgehog clothing line with his sister Alis González, a brand born from a student‑era backpack and grown during the pandemic. The venture supports filmmakers with gear and has hosted free gatherings to unite local creators, an initiative that has helped connect photographers, videographers, and models-some of whom later formed lasting relationships.
Music, collaboration, and a visual universe
Pozo remains deeply connected to music and performance. He previously performed under the name Koira and now co‑leads the Eclipse electronic duo with Javi Camp,known as Morke. The duo creates immersive audiovisual shows from scratch, treating each project as a complete universe-costume, narrative, and stagecraft-beyond mere music.
They have performed on major stages, including Tomorrowland Belgium and Afterlife Barcelona, and appeared at the Sound Vault festival in Finland. With more than 20 songs out, they are planning european appearances in 2026. pozo,now 32,aims to keep moving,learning,and building something that belongs to him.
Table: Key milestones at a glance
| Year | Location |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late teens | London, UK | Work Skills program; buys compact HD camera | First camera‑in‑hand experience; self‑driven learning | Set foundation for future work |
| 2015 | Global | Scholarship contest win | Produced short film; won first place among nine countries | Led to USC studies |
| Post‑2015 | Los Angeles | USC studies | Emphasis on storytelling and emotion in cinema | Shaped creative philosophy |
| Mid‑late 2010s | Miami | Career expansion; work with major artists | Video projects for Shakira, Luis Fonsi, Sebastián Yatra, etc. | Integrated into international music video scene |
| Recent years | Miami/Europe | Ultra Music Festival team; Eclipse duo | Creative leadership; immersive audiovisual performances | Europe 2026 plans |
Evergreen takeaways for artists and creators
Pozo’s trajectory demonstrates that early diversions can become major strengths.His story underscores the value of humility, emotional storytelling, and balancing ambition with personal well‑being. For aspiring filmmakers and musicians, the path illustrates the benefit of building multidisciplinary skills, embracing collaboration, and prioritizing the human connection at the heart of entertainment.
Two prompts for readers
• What lessons from Pozo’s path resonate with your own creative journey?
• How can artists maintain personal balance while pursuing enterprising international projects?
Readers can follow Pozo’s evolving work across music videos, live festival production, and documentary projects as he continues to blend Ecuadorian roots with global storytelling.
Share your thoughts below. What aspect of this journey inspires you most, and what would you like to see next from pozo’s evolving portfolio?
>Received teh Best Documentary Short award at the LATINO Film Festival Miami.
.From Ecuador to Miami: Kristofh Pozo’s Quest to Leave His own Mark Through Film adn Music
Early Life in Ecuador – Roots that Shape a Vision
- Birthplace: Quito, Ecuador – a city known for its colonial architecture and Andean landscapes.
- Cultural immersion: Grew up surrounded by traditional festivals such as Inti Raymi and the vibrant rhythms of pasillo and bomba.
- First creative experiments:
- Recorded backyard performances on a handheld cassette recorder at age 12.
- shot short documentaries of local street vendors using a borrowed VHS camcorder.
These formative experiences gave pozo a deep appreciation for storytelling that blends visual and auditory elements.
the Move to Miami – A Strategic leap
| Year | Milestone | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Relocated to Miami, FL | Access to a multicultural arts hub and industry connections. |
| 2022 | Enrolled in film Production program at Miami International University of Art & Design | Gained technical mastery in cinematography and sound design. |
| 2023 | Joined the Miami Sound Collective (MSC) | Integrated with local musicians, expanding his musical palette. |
Miami’s thriving Latino diaspora and its status as a gateway between north and South America created an ideal platform for Pozo to fuse ecuadorian heritage with contemporary U.S. media trends.
Film Career Highlights – From Shorts to Festival Screens
Key Projects (2023‑2025)
- “Luz de la Selva” (2023):
- 12‑minute narrative short filmed on location in the Amazonian foothills of Ecuador.
- Premiered at the Miami International Film Festival and later selected for the Sundance Institute’s Creative Writing Lab.
- Recognized for its immersive soundscape, combining field recordings of rainforest fauna with an original score.
- “Diasporic Echoes” (2024):
- Documentary exploring the lives of Ecuadorian immigrants in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
- Received the Best Documentary Short award at the LATINO Film Festival Miami.
- “Crossover” (2025):
- First feature‑length hybrid project, intertwining a coming‑of‑age storyline with a live‑music concert narrative.
- Currently in post‑production; slated for a limited theatrical release followed by a streaming rollout on Mubi.
Technical innovations Pozo Embraces
- Spatial audio: Utilizes Dolby Atmos to place viewers “inside” the rainforest or a bustling Miami club.
- hybrid shooting: Combines DSLR footage with DSLR‑grade smartphone clips for a raw, authentic aesthetic.
- Crowd‑sourced post‑production: Engages fans via a Patreon community to review rough cuts and suggest edits.
Music Projects – Crafting a Sonic Identity
| Release | Format | Notable Elements |
|---|---|---|
| “Pacific Echoes” EP (2023) | Digital (Spotify, Apple Music) | Blends Andean panpipes (zampoña) with Miami basslines; reached #12 on the Latin Indie chart. |
| “City Lights” single (2024) | Soundtrack for “Diasporic echoes” | Features a live performance recorded at The Fillmore Miami Beach, integrating ambient street sounds. |
| “Crossroads” album (2025) | Vinyl + streaming | 10 tracks, each paired with a short visual vignette; collaborative production with Miami’s South Beach Jazz Ensemble. |
Creative Process (as shared in a recent interview on NPR Latino Voices)
- Field Recording: Starts with ambient sounds from his hometown-church bells, market chatter, river flow.
- Layering: Marries these samples with electronic beats produced in a home studio in Wynwood.
- collaboration: Invites local Miami musicians (salsa, reggaetón, jazz) to improvise over the base tracks, fostering cross‑genre dialog.
Cross‑Disciplinary Collaboration – The Film‑Music fusion Model
- Workshops at the Miami Art Museum:
- Pozo leads quarterly sessions where emerging filmmakers learn to score their own visuals,using software like Ableton Live and DaVinci resolve.
- Live‑Score Events:
- Produces “cinematic concerts” where the Miami Symphony Orchestra performs original scores while the film screens in sync.
- Mentorship Program:
- Partners with Latino Creators Network to mentor 5‑10 young Ecuadorian artists each year, offering guidance on grant applications (e.g., National Endowment for the Arts).
These initiatives demonstrate how Pozo transforms his personal artistic journey into a catalyst for community growth.
Impact on the Latino Creative Community
- Visibility: By showcasing Ecuadorian narratives at high‑profile U.S.festivals, Pozo expands the representation of lesser‑known Latin American cultures.
- Economic opportunities: His collaborative projects generate freelance gigs for sound engineers, session musicians, and set designers within Miami’s creative economy.
- Cultural Preservation: Incorporates traditional Ecuadorian instruments and folklore themes, helping younger diaspora audiences stay connected to their roots.
Practical Tips for Aspiring Film‑Music Artists (Inspired by Pozo’s Public Advice)
- Leverage Your Heritage: Use native sounds and stories as a unique selling point; they resonate with global audiences seeking authenticity.
- Build a Dual Skill Set: Learn basic video editing (e.g., Adobe Premiere) and music production (e.g., Logic Pro) to maintain creative control.
- Network Locally: attend niche events-Miami Film & Music Fusion Nights-to meet collaborators across disciplines.
- Seek Hybrid Funding: Combine traditional film grants with music‑specific platforms such as Bandcamp fan subscriptions.
- Document the Process: Share behind‑the‑scenes footage on TikTok or instagram Reels; it drives organic traffic and attracts sponsors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How does Kristofh Pozo balance film deadlines with music production schedules?
A: He structures his week into “visual blocks” (mon‑Wed) for filming and “audio blocks” (Thu‑Sat) for music, reserving Sundays for brainstorming and rest.
Q: Where can viewers watch Pozo’s latest works?
A: Short films are available on Vimeo (channel: KristofhPozo), while his music streams on Spotify, Apple Music, and limited‑edition vinyl through Miami Record Co.
Q: What equipment does he recommend for beginners?
A: A mirrorless camera (e.g., Sony A6400), a portable field recorder (zoom H4n), and a MIDI controller (novation Launchkey) for on‑the‑go composition.
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