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LOGLINE
After the death of their father, siblings travel to Mexico in search of their secret half-brother, uncovering family truths and reconnecting with the culture they left behind.
SYNOPSIS
Finding Jose is a comedy drama set between the U.S. and the heart of Mexico, following three Mexican American siblings who venture to return father's ashes to a country they have been to in decades. The story begins at a cousin's baby shower as the siblings settle with the absence of their father a chisme is overheard revealing another secret son. Hitting the road to find the truth they connect With their outcast yet sentimental Tio lets and their rebellious and ambitious cousin Thalia. Through dusty highways, cantinas, and small-town festivals every wrong turn reveals more about who their father really Was, and Who they are Without him. Through heartbreak and absurdity, the film captures the ache of returning home to a place that no longer feels like yours.
Finding Jose explores the messy beauty of family, the guilt, the love, the secrets we bury, and the roots We can never escape. A love letter to Mexico, to the children of immigrants, and to every family still learning how to say goodbye.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
At its core, Finding Jose is about family, the messy, loving, imperfect kind that shapes who we become. The story is built from fragments of my own life and the lives of those closest to me: memories of road trips, laughter, silence, and the unspoken ways we love each other. I wanted to make a film that feels honest, one that shows how identity is not something we choose, but something we carry with us. Life. can be full of contradiction and beauty, and holds the stories that made my family who we are.
The film takes place in Mexico, a place that continues to shape my understanding of home, it’s where my family’s stories began, and where I’ve always felt most connected and lived some of my favorite childhood memories. Through this film, I want to capture the warmth, humor, and chaos of family life, while exploring how returning home can remind us of the parts of ourselves we’ve forgotten.
TIMELINE
Finding Jose is currently in development, with the script being finalized by December 2025 alongside location scouting and applications for grants, fellowships, and investors. Casting will begin in May 2026, alongside finalizing the crew, securing filming locations, and arranging production gear. Principal photography is planned for late November through mid-December 2026, followed by post-production beginning in early 2027, with an initial cut expected by May 2027. Filming in December is deeply intentional, many of my childhood memories come from visiting my family’s hometown of Tecalitlán, known for its mariachi festivals and vibrant community celebrations during that time of year. Those visits, filled with music, color, and family, are among the most beautiful and formative experiences of my life, and they inspire the heart of this film.
FILMING ON LOCATION
Filmed on location across Jalisco, Mexico, Finding Jose is rooted in real places, culture, and community. From vibrant towns to intimate family spaces, the setting becomes an essential part of the story offering authenticity, visual richness, and a true sense of place that resonates on screen.
SCOUTING MEXICO
scouting photography of locations
MEET THE DIRECTOR
LISSET MENDOZA
CO-WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
Lisset Mendoza is a SoCal based filmmaker who has somehow turned family conversations, professional people watching, and the occasional identity crisis into films. Blending humor and heart, Lisset is drawn to stories about the everyday things in life and highlighting characters that almost blend into the background, preferring the kind humor that can make you laugh one moment and quietly wreck you the next.. Her upcoming feature film, Finding Jose, follows siblings reconnecting with their roots to deliver their father’s final wish, inspired by her own childhood experiences visiting her family in Mexico. Similarly, her recent short film, Las Flores, grew from a heartfelt conversation with her mother and explores the complexities of memory, family, and belonging. Through her work, Lisset aims to capture the nuances her own Mexican-American experiences while exploring universal themes of love, loss, identity, and self-discovery.
MEET THE TEAM
Finding Jose is led by a team of filmmakers and producers with experience across narrative film, commercial content, and branded storytelling. Our work has been recognized across film festivals and digital platforms, with projects spanning short films, documentaries, and branded campaigns. Director Lisset Mendoza brings over 10 years of experience in marketing and content production, combining cinematic storytelling with a strong understanding of audience engagement, brand strategy, and visual communication. Together, the team brings both creative vision and real-world execution with a focus on telling authentic stories that connect with audiences and partners alike.
NATALIE PEREZ
LINE PRODUCER
Natalie Aramendia is an LA-based Producer and Cinematographer. Her work includes narrative and documentary films, shorts, and web series, from quirky comedies to dark thrillers, dynamic musicals to stark dramas. Natalie has collaborated with Lisset on a number of projects including The Walkers (as a Producer/Director of Photography), The MADAM$ (as a Producer/DP), In China (as a DP), Lola (as a DP), and Scars Unseen (as a Producer/DP). Most recently, Natalie stepped into the Director’s chair and Wrote, Directed, and Produced her own Western Musical Feature Film, A Ranch Musical. Natalie’s work has been shown on platforms such as Netflix, PBS, Roku, and Urban Movie Channel, and she is a member of the National Association of Latino Independent Filmmakers.
JAKE HILGER
CINEMATOGRAPHER, PRODUCER
Jake Hilger is an award-winning cinematographer, filmmaker, and producer with a passion for visual storytelling. His work combines technical expertise with a keen eye for capturing the emotional heart of every scene. A longtime collaborator with Lisset Mendoza, he has played a pivotal role in the development of "Finding Jose" as both a cinematographer and producer, providing essential guidance and support to bring the project to life. His dedication to storytelling and his ability to craft stunning visuals make him an invaluable member of the "Finding Jose" team.
NADIA BRITO
MX PRODUCER
Nadia Brito is a celebrated Mexican filmmaker based in Cuernavaca, Mexico, with a remarkable career as a documentary filmmaker. Her work has garnered critical acclaim, reflecting her ability to tackle compelling stories with depth and introspective eye. Nadia has also been a longtime collaborator with Lisset Mendoza, working on various projects over the years. Her life in Mexico and her expertise in storytelling will bring in her unique perspective and dedication to ensuring the film authentically captures the heart of the Mexican experience.
KYLIE SEGERT
CO-WRITER
Kylie Segert is a writer and filmmaker with a passion for character-driven storytelling and emotionally grounded narratives. After studying film at Orange Coast College and Loyola Marymount University, she developed a creative background spanning writing, production, and independent filmmaking, with credits including, The Chair That Killed Faye, and work across unscripted television. Her accolades include Semifinalist in the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards TV Pilot Competition, Austin Film Festival TV Pilot Competition, and BlueCat Screenplay Competition. She was also an Official Selection of Script Summit and a Finalist in the Breaking Walls Thriller Screenplay Competition
JOANNA & KIM MENDOZA
PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
With backgrounds in fine arts and a lifelong connection to creativity, sisters Kim and Joanna Mendoza bring a unique artistic perspective to filmmaking. Joanna studied animation, while Kim pursued STEM, though both found their way back to the arts through ceramics, sculpting, and creative design. Their work is shaped by a love for texture, detail, and storytelling through visual expression. Longtime creative collaborators with filmmaker Lisset Mendoza, and sisters to her, both Kim and Joanna have contributed to several independent film projects, including Travelers Fugue, Black Book, and The Walkers, supporting production design, wardrobe consultation, and the many behind-the-scenes creative elements that help bring stories to life. Now joining Finding Jose as Production Designers, Kim and Joanna step into expanded roles, helping shape the film’s visual world through a deeply personal lens. Bringing both artistic instinct and sibling collaboration to the project, they help ground the story’s themes of family, identity, and cultural connection in meaningful and visually rich ways.
CHRIS LYONS
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Christopher Lyons is an Irish filmmaker whose journey into film began in an unconventional way, through his love for wanting to be a stunt performer, training as a stunt driver and getting on set with background work on big films. What started as a fascination with action eventually turned into a passion for storytelling, leading him behind the camera and into independent filmmaking. Since 2021, Christopher has collaborated closely with Lisset Mendoza on a range of creative projects. Most recently, the pair co-wrote and co-produced Loretta, an award-winning short film shot in Dublin about a retired hitwoman getting called for one last job. The film recently received Best Comedy at the WHAM Film Festival. Joining Finding Jose as Associate Producer, Christopher brings sharp wit, Irish humor, and a willingness to jump into every challenge that comes with independent filmmaking.
behind the scenes of productions
FINDING THE RIGHT CAMEERA
GET TO KNOW MY FAMILY & INSPIRATION
WHY THIS FILM
Finding Jose is rooted in a deeply personal and widely relatable experience, the search for identity, family, and belonging. For many, the connection to where we come from can feel distant, fragmented, or unexplored. This story brings that journey to life through humor, conflict, and emotional honesty.
At a time when audiences are seeking authentic, culturally grounded stories, Finding Jose offers a perspective that feels both specific and universal, creating a film that resonates across generations and backgrounds.
BUILT FOR A GLOBAL AUDIENCE
Designed to travel across festivals, streaming platforms, and digital spaces, Finding Jose is positioned to connect with wide, cross-cultural audiences through its humor, heart, and universal themes.
COMPARATVE TITLES
Finding Jose blends the heartfelt, character-driven humor of Little Miss Sunshine with the cultural depth and journey-driven storytelling of Güeros.
Like Crazy Rich Asians, the film is positioned to connect with wide, global audiences through a culturally specific story with universal appeal.
Together, these influences shape a film that is intimate yet scalable, grounded in authenticity while designed to travel across audiences and platforms.
PERSONAL CONNECTION
This story is deeply personal. Growing up between cultures, I’ve experienced what it means to feel both connected to and distant from where you come from. Finding Jose was born out of that space, the questions, the curiosity, and the desire to understand family in a deeper way.
With a background of over 10 years in marketing and content creation, I’ve learned how to connect stories with audiences, not just emotionally, but strategically. This film brings those worlds together, combining personal storytelling with a vision designed to reach and resonate with a wide audience.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Get exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and early access as Finding Jose comes to life.
PRODUCTION IN MOTION
Currently in pre-production, the film is moving toward a December 2026 shoot with a clear creative and logistical plan in place. With locations, team, and development underway, the project is actively taking shape as it moves into its next phase of production.
SEEKING PARTNERS & SPONSORS
We are collaborating with a select group of partners and sponsors to help bring the film to life. From brand integration to cultural partnerships, each collaboration is designed to be meaningful, visible, and aligned with the story.
PRESS & MEDIA
PRODUCTION IN MOTION
Through interviews, features, and media coverage, we’re sharing the story behind the film, its growing community, and the journey of bringing an independent Mexican-American feature to life.
FEATURED BY CANAL ONCE
Finding Jose was recently featured by Canal Once in Mexico as part of Sin Muros. Director Lisset Mendoza spoke with journalist Jasmine about the story behind the film, the community supporting it, and the journey of bringing this Mexican-American feature to life.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW → 42:50
SUPPORTED BY FILM INDEPENDENT
Finding Jose is fiscally sponsored by Film Independent, supporting the film’s fundraising efforts as it moves toward production and providing a pathway for tax-deductible contributions.
FEATURED BY CHICANOS ON THE RISE
Finding Jose was featured by Chicanos on the Rise, sharing the journey behind the film and its growing connection with the Chicano community.
Our Partners & Supporters