Directing
Kiersten Villanueva
Known for
Directing
Credits
4 titles
Kiersten Villanueva is a Filipino American independent filmmaker based between the Bay Area and Los Angeles, known for creating character-driven stories centered on the Filipino American experience. As the founder of Tribu Tales and Head of Film/TV/New Media at Empowerhouse, Villanueva has written and directed more than a dozen projects while also building extensive behind-the-scenes experience across editing, producing, assistant directing, and major studio productions, including work with Atomic Monster, CBS, and AMC. He is also the writer and director of the upcoming horror film Mimic, which blends Filipino folklore with contemporary social fears.
Known for
NRUnion City, CA 2013. During a student march to rename a middle school after Filipino labor leaders, a disillusioned transfer student enters a barbershop and asks for a buzz cut.
Buzz Cut
—
NRAmid the heightening ICE raids across Los Angeles, a Filipino Man visits his estranged sister’s home and makes a terrifying discovery.
Mimic
2026
NRAn ambitious Filipina nurse leaves her family behind in the Philippines to chase the American Dream in the 1990s, only to find herself battling loneliness, cultural barriers, and unexpected hardships as she works to reunite with her daughter.
Milk & Honey
2025
Behind the camera
NRUnion City, CA 2013. During a student march to rename a middle school after Filipino labor leaders, a disillusioned transfer student enters a barbershop and asks for a buzz cut.
Buzz Cut
—
NRUnion City, CA 2013. During a student march to rename a middle school after Filipino labor leaders, a disillusioned transfer student enters a barbershop and asks for a buzz cut.
Buzz Cut
—
NRAmid the heightening ICE raids across Los Angeles, a Filipino Man visits his estranged sister’s home and makes a terrifying discovery.
Mimic
2026
NRAn ambitious Filipina nurse leaves her family behind in the Philippines to chase the American Dream in the 1990s, only to find herself battling loneliness, cultural barriers, and unexpected hardships as she works to reunite with her daughter.
Milk & Honey
2025