Polaris Castillo’s work blends the complimentary energies between the soul of the cosmos and the human spirit, taking inspiration from his Mesoamerican ancestry and utilizing illustration and filmmaking to preserve the sacred tradition of storytelling as a modern day tlacuilo, the Nahuatl translation for writer, artist, or scribe of the times. His portfolio highlights Indigenous tales, sexual diversity and uplifts BIPOC communities. He was born in East Los Angeles to immigrant parents from Mexico. His greatest honor is to embody the role of a storyteller, a passion passed down from his ancestors.
His work has been showcased at the Museum of Indigenous People (Arizona), ¡VIVA EL CINE! Film Festival (Buenos Aires, Argentina), San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, Toronto Queer Film Festival (Canada), San Diego Latino Film Festival, Geelong Pride Film Festival (Australia), Root Division (San Francisco), Seattle Erotic Art Show, Tía Chucha's Centro Cultural (Sylmar), Espacio 1839 (East Los Angeles), Stay Gallery, Barrio Fuerza (San Bernardino) and more.
Artist ★ Filmmaker ★ Tlacuilo
The Art Institute of California — Los Angeles
2013 — Bachelor of Science in Video Production & Digital Filmmaking
PolarisCastillo23@gmail.com
Photo by Max Fuentes
San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival
El Luchador was nominated for Best Action/Adventure Film at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival. Writer/Director Polaris Castillo, Co-Writer Timmar Jones, stars Gavilan de Oro and Motros Jungle cut a promo at the festival panel as masked fans from Mexicalli crossed the Mexican border to attend the screening.
The Intimate Love and Carnal Passion of Our Sacred Land
A series representing the intimate love and the carnal passion of our sacred lands was recently launched by artist Polaris Castillo.
Full article by NeoMexicanismos
Interview With An Erotic Artist: Polaris Castillo
Not only is Polaris a super talented erotic artist to the stars (sorry, I love puns), but he is one of the sweetest guys going. This humble L.A.-based artist creates wild and out of this world erotica.
Full interview by Honey Mouth Girl
Libélula Books & Co: A Conversation with Polaris Castillo
Queer and BIPOC owned book shop Libélula Books host Polaris Castillo to give an intimate talk about art, love, allyship and celebrating our contemporary indigenous presence at Barrio Logan in Kumeyaay land/San Diego, CA June 4, 2022.
Aztecs of the Cosmos: The Work of Polaris Castillo
For an interview with NeoMexicanismos, Polaris comments that he remembers watching his dad draw soccer players and Batman, and although he never pursued art, this inspired him to keep going with it.
Much of Polaris’ inspiration comes from the art of comics and graphic novels. Artists like Tula Lotay, David Mack, Dave McKean, and Andrea Sorrentino have turned the graphic novel medium into elegant fine art. He loves to bring that same sensitivity and earnestness to art inspired by Mesoamerican themes to honor his ancestry.
Full article by NeoMexicanismos
Under The Lens with Byron Lafayette
In this raw and unfiltered conversation, director Polaris Castillo and producer Dan Marcus chat with Byron Lafayette about BIPOC representation, how fiction is inherently cultural, and how the pro-wrestling icon The Undertaker inspired this film to be made.
VoyageLA: Meet Polaris Castillo
When I was a kid, I wrote my address on a balloon and let it go so aliens would visit me. But my love for the great unknown wasn’t always this magical. When I was 8, my older cousin Juan spray painted giant alien faces with big, black eyes in our backyard that seemed to follow you wherever you went. This made going outside a daunting task.
Full interview by VoyageLA
Watch: Polaris Castillo's Moving Lucha Libre Short Film El Luchador
"I'm putting an end to the tyranny! I will fight for my people. I will bring them peace and glory!"
Another outstanding independent short film to watch when you have a chance. El Luchador is made by filmmaker Polaris Castillo and tells the story of a professional wrestler who goes into seclusion after his undefeated streak comes to an end. This is a very impressive, well-made, emotional short film that speaks to much more than just wrestling and the Lucha Libre life. Some of the footage reminds me a bit of Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler, but this goes down its own path when it comes to the actual story and characters.
by Alex Billington
December 29, 2017
Epic Lounge Showing 3 Short Films
Three short films directed and produced by a group of independent local filmmakers will be screened this Sunday at the Epic Lounge. The free event will serve as the official premiere of "Loveland," the latest film by artist Polaris Castillo, who may be best known locally for his "BalloonHead" short that was screened in Downey in 2012.
"As filmmakers, you just want people to watch your films," said Castillo. "We're hoping a lot of people come out and enjoy the films."
by The Downey Patriot
January 23, 2014
BalloonHead art piece is topic of film screening
Polaris's signature installation, "BalloonHead," is a formally dressed mannequin with a bouquet of balloons where his head should be. According to the artist, the balloons represent "freedom and that creative intensity inside of us that should be exploited, but is often shunned and denied."
One of his goals as an artist is to help people "see the story of the ordinary becoming extraordinary and be inspired by it."
by Carol Kearns
November 15, 2012