Dir. Miguel Ángel Díaz and Film as a Creative Manifesto
Film
How I Met Director Miguel Ángel Díaz
By Yael Hervert
It was 2018. I was working at a university located right next to the Teatro de la Paz in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. It was early—around 6:30 a.m.—when I arrived and noticed a large banner hanging from the side of the theater. It read: Festival Cine en Corto 18-55. (Keep that festival in mind—it becomes important later.)
What I didn’t know was that just a few hours later, I would be meeting Miguel Ángel Díaz and discovering his work.
Among all creative languages, film is, to me, one of the most complex. I’ve had the chance to be both in front of and behind the camera, and I can say this with certainty: making a film is no small feat. Whether you’re the director, an actor, part of the crew, an extra, the host, the casting assistant, or even the one making coffee—every role demands precision, commitment, and serious organization.
That might be why I instantly became a fan of Miguel Ángel Díaz’s work. It was at that festival where I first saw his film Pinches Actores. By pure chance, I ended up in the screening room, and even luckier: he was there to present the film himself and answer questions afterward.
I watched it all, fully present. And it struck me in many ways. Without knowing it, Miguel was giving us his creative calling card. And he did it with confidence and craft.
Pinches Actores—without spoiling anything—is an ode to the artist. To those creatives who, despite everything, chase their dreams and fight to make a living from what they love. The storytelling, direction, and of course, the use of comedy, make it a film that any creative soul should watch at least once in their life.
This isn’t a review. It’s a reminder. A door. A brief introduction to a director who’s remained true to his vision.
That same spirit carried into a recent event held at the Museo Manuel José Othón in San Luis Potosí. An intimate glimpse into the work of Miguel Ángel Díaz and his production company, DECEV.
Based in the heart of San Luis Potosí, DECEV produces high-quality audiovisual projects. If you’re curious to see more of their work, here’s the link:
A Night at the Conversation
It was an inspiring and rewarding evening. There’s something powerful about hearing a filmmaker not just present their finished work, but also share how it came together—the behind-the-scenes moments, the anecdotes, the challenges. That, for me, was the most enriching part of the talk.
The conversation was hosted by the great Maestra Ana Neumann, as part of her well-known Lunes de Palique series. If you’d like to attend the next one, here’s the link:
As the evening progressed, we saw more of Miguel’s work, including pieces aired on Mexicanal, and closed the night with one of his short films: “I Hate Paulo Coelho”. As a special surprise, one of the film’s lead actors was present in the room.
The screening ended with a well-deserved round of applause. We approached the director to say thank you, congratulate him, and say goodbye.
It was a night that didn’t just inspire—it connected.
Miguel Ángel Díaz is a director with a solid path already behind him. And I’m sure he’ll keep walking strong—just like he always has: by transcending.