Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Flores.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up surrounded by free thinkers and artists, thanks to my parents. Both were from Laredo, Texas, where our family existed before borders were created around them. In the 70s, my parents moved to Austin and became deeply involved in the Chicano movement. In that era of protest, art, and cultural awakening, my father, José Flores Peregrino, channeled a longing for ancestral roots through poetry and protest music with his band <i>Conjunto Aztlan</i>. His journey led him to Mexico, where he learned “Azteca Mexica traditions” from a group of “Concheros” led by Maestro Andrés Segura. Back in Texas, he founded <i>Grupo Xinachtli</i>, and I was raised in those traditions, even baptized by the Maestro on our family land outside Austin—an event captured in the documentary <i>The Eagle’s Children</i>. Explaining ceremonies like “danza”(sun dancing) or sweat lodges to rural Texans wasn’t always easy, but it definitely shaped my perspective and set the course for my life.
Growing up in that environment of tradition and creative freedom, I gravitated toward storytelling. First through drawing comic strips and cassette-recorded skits, later through video. Once I got my hands on a camera, I began making movies with friends and editing them by rigging VCRs together. By middle school, I was convincing teachers to accept videos instead of written assignments. In high school, I helped launch a video technologies program with a theater teacher who rightly told me I was a terrible actor but saw my potential behind the camera.
That path led me to film school at UT Austin, where I discovered a deep passion for documentaries. While there, an internship with veteran documentarian Hector Galán became a crash course in real-world filmmaking. He pushed me hard—but also took big risks on me, trusting me to shoot and edit feature-length projects long before I was ready. We ended up making many films together, and he opened the doors to countless opportunities.
I eventually moved to Los Angeles and then New York furthering my career, working on various TV shows and docs before landing a job with <i>Vice News</i> as a broadcast editor working on international news docs. That was another high-pressured crash course—fast-paced, and demanding, but surrounded by immensely talented people. During my time there, I was nominated for and won many awards, including six Emmy awards. My wife and I are now settled back in Texas after recently having a child, and the journey continues here. This fall I will begin working on another feature documentary that I am very excited about.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing about this road has been easy, but I’m grateful for the struggles my parents and generations before me endured—they created opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Even with that support behind me, I’ve always carried this insecurity about not being taken seriously or being good enough. That feeling pushed me to work twice as hard, and honestly, I still don’t really consider myself “successful.” That said, I also feel lucky. Some of the most pivotal moments in my carrer happened partly by chance. Luck definitely plays a role, but I’ve learned that when an opportunity shows up, you have to be ready to work your ass off—that’s what makes the difference. I also believe that consistent hard work can also get you far, even if the breaks don’t always come. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula; everyone’s path looks different, and that’s okay.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would say my specialty is long-form editing, mostly in non-fiction. While I enjoy all aspects of filmmaking, I feel most at home in the edit room sifting through many hours of materials—it allows me the creative space to draw from all my inspirations and shape sound and vision into a story that’s both impactful and engaging. I’ve always loved storytelling in all its forms, whether it’s a poem, a song, or even a well-crafted joke, and through editing I try to bring that same attention to rhythm, emotion, and nuance to life. I like to think people enjoy working with me because I bring a unique perspective and really try to uncover honesty—ugly or beautiful—that sparks conversations and encourages some understanding. I’m proud of all my work even though much of it has been emotionally taxing to make, because on the other side of the lens there is often immense pain and suffering. The stories I’ve helped tell have shown everything from the stark realities of war and genocide abroad to racial injustices, trans rights, and environmental issues closer to home, and many other issues. I’m always humbled by the resilience of people fighting to survive, resist, or come together for change. They remind me why storytelling matters and why I keep showing up to do this work.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you have a passion for something, do it as much as you can, be patient with your progress and avoid shortcuts as much as possible. Find mentors and be inspired by others but don’t compare yourself to anyone else’s successes or failures. The social media landscape today makes that much more difficult, but always remember, what works for one may not work for another, so be true to yourself. Be kind and respectful to everyone along the way, and when you have the opportunity to learn something, listen more than you speak…and don’t take anyone’s advice too seriously.
Contact Info:
- Website: Josefloresproductions.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-flores-77681942/
