Pacho Velez

Directing

Pacho Velez

Pacho Velez is a non-fiction filmmaker working at the intersection of ethnography, contemporary art, and political documentary.

Acting credits

Behind the camera

Some Kind of Heaven poster
6.9

Behind the gates of a palm-tree-lined fantasyland, three residents and one interloper at America’s largest retirement community strive to find happiness.

Some Kind of Heaven

2021

The Reagan Show poster
6.5

Comprised entirely of archival footage taken during those pre-reality-television years, The Reagan Show looks at how Ronald Reagan redefined the look and feel of what it means to be the POTUS.

The Reagan Show

2017

The Reagan Show poster
6.5

Comprised entirely of archival footage taken during those pre-reality-television years, The Reagan Show looks at how Ronald Reagan redefined the look and feel of what it means to be the POTUS.

The Reagan Show

2017

Manakamana poster
7.5

A documentary about a group of pilgrims who travel to Nepal to worship at the legendary Manakamana temple.

Manakamana

2013

Filmmakers Unite (FU) poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Filmmakers Unite (FU)

2017

The Paradise Next Door poster
6.0

As America's largest retirement community continues to expand, cracks, both literal and metaphysical, are suddenly opening beneath the senior utopia.

The Paradise Next Door

2021

Bastards of Utopia poster
7.0

Three Croatian activists struggle to change the world. As children, they lived through the violent collapse of Yugoslavia. But now, amid the aftershocks of socialism's failure, they fight in their own way for a new leftism. In the middle of the struggle, a skeptical American is won over by their cause and even goes to jail with them. The activists, whether clashing with police or squatting in an old factory, risk everything to live their politics. But as the setbacks mount, will they give up the fight? The film, shot during years of fieldwork with a Croatian anarchist collective, applies EnMasseFilm's unique blend of observation, direct participation and critical reflection to this misunderstood political movement. Its portrayal of activism is both empathetic and unflinching -- an engaged, elegant meditation on the struggle to re-imagine leftist politics and the power of a country's youth.

Bastards of Utopia

2010

Searchers poster
NR

Drawing on over seventy-five encounters with New Yorkers of different ages, races, genders, and sexual interests, Searchers is a portrait of The Big Apple as seen through the eyes of lovers, searching the web for their special someone.

Searchers

2021

Mr. Yellow Sweatshirt poster
NR

Yoni Brook and Pacho Velez's Mr. Yellow Sweatshirt presents New York City in a single-shot (from above) microcosm as an everyman struggles to enter the subway, a droll take on human-versus-machine.

Mr. Yellow Sweatshirt

2017

Mr. Yellow Sweatshirt poster
NR

Yoni Brook and Pacho Velez's Mr. Yellow Sweatshirt presents New York City in a single-shot (from above) microcosm as an everyman struggles to enter the subway, a droll take on human-versus-machine.

Mr. Yellow Sweatshirt

2017

The American Sector poster
NR

A documentary about the concrete sections of the Berlin Wall that have been acquired by institutions or individuals since 1989 and are now scattered across the USA. Cherished or abandoned, they have become silent witnesses to recent history.

The American Sector

2020

The American Sector poster
NR

A documentary about the concrete sections of the Berlin Wall that have been acquired by institutions or individuals since 1989 and are now scattered across the USA. Cherished or abandoned, they have become silent witnesses to recent history.

The American Sector

2020

The American Sector poster
NR

A documentary about the concrete sections of the Berlin Wall that have been acquired by institutions or individuals since 1989 and are now scattered across the USA. Cherished or abandoned, they have become silent witnesses to recent history.

The American Sector

2020

Realm of Satan poster
4.5

An experiential portrait depicting Satanists in both the everyday and in the extraordinary as they fight to preserve their lifestyle: magic, mystery, and misanthropy.

Realm of Satan

2025

They’re Here poster
NR

New York, with many UFO sightings, is home to believers like Cookie, her friend Steve, comic Twon, and spiritual devotee Dave, who share their encounters, revealing humour and empathy in their search for a shared experience.

They’re Here

2024

No artwork available
NR

This film uses the Reagan administration's internal documentation to capture the surreal spectacle of American might at its apex.

The Reagan Shorts

2015

No artwork available
NR

This film uses the Reagan administration's internal documentation to capture the surreal spectacle of American might at its apex.

The Reagan Shorts

2015

No artwork available
NR

The Starting Line captures the rhythms of a day at the Tijuana border crossing. But it’s not just any day: as people go through their routines, they listen to the local news report on Donald Trump’s inauguration. By taking the usual viewpoint—American broadcasters talking about life on the Mexican border—and flipping it on its head, The Starting Line presents an unexpected view of America’s capitol, as it appears from just over the border.

The Starting Line/La Línea

2017

No artwork available
NR

Drivers, mechanics and drag racing fans stare at the objects they love.

Dragstrip

2015