Today we’d like to introduce you to Erick Barragán Ramírez.
Hi Erick, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I moved to Philadelphia in April 2017, I was starting over. Back in Mexico, I had been working for a federal government institution, but my wife was transferred to the United States, so I left my job and moved with her.
Finding my first job here took much longer than I expected. During that transition, I found comfort in going to the movies. At the time, there was a service called MoviePass that allowed you to watch one movie a day for a monthly subscription. It became a meaningful way to spend my time while staying connected to my lifelong passion for cinema.
Like many immigrants, I started looking for opportunities wherever I could. My first stop was the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia, but they weren’t hiring, and the visa requirements didn’t fit my situation. Instead, someone introduced me to ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America), where I began volunteering. Around the same time, I joined The Welcoming Center, which helped me build my professional network.
Eventually, I found an opportunity at Esperanza. Since I studied law in Mexico, I learned about the Department of Justice accreditation program for immigration legal representatives, and that path allowed me to continue serving immigrant communities in a new country. Throughout this time, I continued volunteering with ALPFA, The Welcoming Center, and later with the Mexican Business Association of Philadelphia. Even though I don’t identify with a particular religion, I see volunteering as a spiritual practice. Giving back to causes that represent my values has always been an important part of who I am.
Working alongside immigrants from so many different countries also changed my perspective. I realized that I wasn’t just Mexican anymore—I was part of a broader Latino community. Living outside Latin America gave me a deeper appreciation of our shared identity and the diversity within it.
Although I enjoyed my work in immigration services, I felt that something was still missing. Through my volunteer work, I met Edgar Ramírez from Philatinos Radio, who gave me the opportunity to host my own film program. Around the same time, I was accepted as a writer for cinéSPEAK, and I also joined PhillyCAM through a community production program called Atrévete, where I learned television production.
Those experiences eventually came together and became Cinepamina. While the idea first started on Philatinos Radio, it truly grew through the combination of radio, television, journalism, and community engagement. Today, I produce a monthly television program for PhillyCAM, continue writing for cinéSPEAK through its fellowship program, and also contribute articles to Impacto Media.
One of the greatest honors of my career was representing cinéSPEAK at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It was an incredible opportunity to cover one of the world’s most important film festivals.
Today, I’m also a Programming Partner with the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival, where I help curate programming. Last year, I helped bring collaborations with Etreum Horror Film Festival and Macabro to Philadelphia, and one of my long-term goals is to continue creating international partnerships that connect audiences through genre cinema, especially horror, which has become one of my greatest passions.
Over the past few years, I’ve also covered the BlackStar Film Festival and, more recently, the FirstGlance Film Festival, expanding Cinepamina’s presence within Philadelphia’s film community.
Right now, I’m working on launching the Cinepamina website while balancing my career in immigration legal services, my media work, and my family. It’s not always easy, but every step has reinforced my belief that cinema can build bridges between cultures, amplify underrepresented voices, and bring communities together. That’s the mission that continues to guide everything I do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. In many ways, I had to rebuild my life from the ground up. That meant rebuilding myself personally, professionally, and legally after immigrating to the United States. At the same time, I was also building a new identity through Cinepamina—one that allowed me to explore a different side of myself beyond my work in immigration legal services.
To this day, balancing those two worlds remains one of my biggest challenges. On one hand, I have a career dedicated to serving immigrants and working in the nonprofit sector. On the other, I have this deep passion for cinema, journalism, and storytelling. Finding time to nurture both often means sacrificing evenings, weekends, and personal time. It’s a constant balancing act between service and creativity.
Financially, Cinepamina has never been driven by profit. In fact, most of what I do doesn’t generate income. The real value has been the relationships I’ve built. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me, I’ve learned to create them. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful to the people who opened doors for me along the way.
I remember one of the first major connections that helped shape my journey. I had the opportunity to interview Kristal Sotomayor about one of her projects, and during our conversation I mentioned that I had written about Esperanza. That conversation eventually led to me writing for cinéSPEAK. It reminded me that simply expressing genuine interest and talking to people can open unexpected doors. It isn’t always easy, but building authentic relationships has been one of the most valuable lessons of my career.
I’ve also learned that growth requires patience. Today, especially on social media, there’s so much pressure to gain thousands or millions of followers as quickly as possible. That has never been my goal. For me, Instagram has functioned less as a platform for popularity and more as an artistic version of LinkedIn—a place where people in the film industry can discover my work and decide whether they want to collaborate.
That approach has been incredibly rewarding. Over time, filmmakers, producers, publicists, and festival organizers have started reaching out to me instead of the other way around. I still remember the first time a Colombian director and producer, whose work included high-profile documentaries and advertising campaigns, contacted me because he trusted me with his project. Moments like that reminded me that credibility is built through consistency, not numbers.
Another lesson I’ve learned is the importance of understanding the industry itself. Early on, I made mistakes when reaching out to publicists because I didn’t fully understand how their work operates. I eventually realized that publicists often have the responsibility of protecting the artists they represent, and earning their trust requires professionalism, patience, and respect for the process. Learning that language has been an important part of my growth.
Looking back, none of these challenges have discouraged me. They’ve shaped the way I work today. They taught me that meaningful careers are built one relationship, one opportunity, and one act of trust at a time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Professionally, my primary career has always been in the legal field. I studied law in Mexico, and for more than 18 years my work has focused on helping people navigate difficult situations. What I’ve realized over the years is that my real specialty isn’t just the law—it’s solving problems. The law is simply one of the tools I use to help people find solutions.
That same mindset has carried over into Cinepamina. While it may seem like a completely different world, at its core it’s still about connecting people, creating opportunities, and building something meaningful.
One of the most important things Cinepamina has taught me is how to build a community—and more importantly, how to intentionally build the kind of community I want to be surrounded by. Through film, I’ve expanded my perspective far beyond my original education and background. I started, like many people, watching mostly mainstream films, but over time I became increasingly interested in independent cinema, international filmmakers, and voices that often don’t receive the attention they deserve.
If there’s one thing I’m most proud of, it’s the journey itself. Looking back, I can clearly see how every relationship has led to the next opportunity. When I first arrived in Philadelphia, a friend introduced me to ALPFA. Through ALPFA I found The Welcoming Center. Through The Welcoming Center I discovered Esperanza. Through Esperanza I eventually found my current work in immigration legal services. Volunteering also introduced me to Philatinos Radio and the Association of Mexican Business of Greater Philadelphia, which ultimately helped lead to the creation of Cinepamina.
Those experiences taught me never to underestimate people. Every meaningful opportunity in my career has started with a conversation and a relationship.
I’m also proud of the impact I’ve been fortunate enough to have in different communities. Through my legal work, I’ve helped immigrants navigate complex legal processes. Through organizations like The Welcoming Center and the Immigrant Leadership Institute, I’ve built relationships that continue to shape my life today. At Catholic Charities, some of the most rewarding moments are when people reach out simply to say thank you.
Now my goal is to create that same kind of impact through Cinepamina.
One moment that made me especially proud was organizing a screening at Vox Populi that highlighted the work of Mexican filmmakers and artists. It wasn’t just about showing films—it was about presenting different perspectives of Mexican culture and creating a space for dialogue. I had the privilege of collaborating with filmmakers such as Héctor Tapia, Wi-Moto Nyoka, Edgar Aquino Huerta, and many others who trusted me with their work. Seeing audiences connect with those stories reminded me why I started this journey.
Another milestone was helping bring collaborations with Etreum Horror Film Festival and Macabro to the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival. Those partnerships have continued to grow, and this year even more programming has been inspired by those relationships. Seeing international filmmakers, including Mexican director Carlos Meléndez, present their work in Philadelphia showed me that Cinepamina has become more than a podcast or a media platform. It has become a bridge between communities, filmmakers, festivals, and audiences.
I think that’s what sets me apart. Whether I’m practicing law or producing media, my work has always been about connecting people, creating opportunities, and leaving every community I become part of a little stronger than I found it.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
It’s hard to choose just one memory because my childhood was filled with experiences that shaped who I am today.
One of my favorite memories is simply playing outside. I grew up between Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and Veracruz, and so much of my childhood happened in the streets with friends. We would spend hours exploring our neighborhoods, and shopping malls became our gathering places where we could hang out, play arcade games, and just enjoy being together.
I’ve always loved what many people would call geek culture. Comics, video games, and movies have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. What excites me the most is when those three worlds come together. I often think about Hideo Kojima, who originally wanted to become a filmmaker but instead transformed storytelling in video games by bringing cinematic language into that medium. That idea of combining different forms of storytelling has always inspired me.
Movies were also a huge part of my childhood. There were times when money was tight, and I remember sneaking into movie theaters with a friend because we simply wanted to watch films so badly. Looking back, I don’t necessarily recommend doing that, but it says a lot about how much cinema meant to me. I just wanted to experience those stories.
I also miss the magic of places like Blockbuster. Walking through the aisles, reading the back of every VHS or DVD case, discovering movies I had never heard of—it felt like an adventure. There was something special about that analog experience that streaming can never fully replace.
Another thing I’ve always loved is walking. Even today, whenever I visit a new city or country, I prefer exploring it on foot. Walking allows you to notice details, discover unexpected places, and truly experience a community. I think that curiosity has influenced both my legal career and my work with Cinepamina because I’ve always wanted to understand people and their stories.
One childhood memory that still gives me chills is my first trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios after finishing elementary school. I was completely captivated by attractions like the WaterWorld stunt show and the Indiana Jones live performance. Seeing cinema brought to life through live action, special effects, and storytelling left a lasting impression on me. Years later, I had the chance to experience those shows again, and they made me feel like a kid all over again.
Looking back, I realize that my childhood wasn’t defined by one single memory. It was shaped by curiosity, imagination, friendship, and an endless fascination with stories. Those same things continue to guide everything I do today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cinepamina.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinepamina/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cinepamina/100087528951621/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erick-barragan-ramirez-64ab9b1b1/?locale=en
- Twitter: https://x.com/cinepamina1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cinepamina
- Yelp: cinepamina@gmail.com
- Other: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAf2ojF1YlS6K6jTv1s
