What's up Reddit! I'm Mexican filmmaker Carlos López Estrada. I directed BLINDSPOTTING, SUMMERTIME, and Disney's RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON, and I'm currently in post-production on my next feature, DED. I also founded the Emmy-winning production company Antigravity Academy to radically support emerging filmmakers; we produced Sean Wang's first feature, DÌDI (弟弟), and are currently in production on our next project, THIRSTYGIRL.
Here to answer your questions!
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I'm especially pumped to share we’ve just launched Antigravity Academy’s INDIE INSTITUTE. It’s a three-month virtual filmmaking intensive that immerses filmmakers in the full life-cycle of independent filmmaking – while cultivating a vibrant community of collaborators. INDIE INSTITUTE offers first-of-its-kind support for anyone curious about making independent movies and telling stories that can truly transcend.
You can learn more/sign up here:
https://antigravity.circle.so/institute
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Ask me anything! I'll be back Tuesday 3/3 (tomorrow) at 10 AM PT/1PM ET to answer stuff
by CarlosLEstradaAMA
12 Comments
What are your thoughts on Sundance moving to Boulder and how was your 2026 festival? Will we see you next year?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? And what advice do you have for others especially aspiring filmmakers?
Are music videos (or other commercial productions) better avenues in trying to break into the film industry for aspiring film makers and students?
(Not sure if I can ask twice but) : For international students trying to enter the industry of animation & film but live in a country without many opportunities in either, what would you suggest as the best way to break into the industry? Postgraduate work, internship applications etc?
First of all, I’ve just got to say that Blindspotting is one of my favorite movies and always my first example of a movie that changed how I view the world (see both pictures).
This might be a simple question, but what inspired you to direct that movie and what influenced your stylistic choices (the dreams, the final rap, and the flashback sequence).
Can’t wait to see DED and Your Name (absolutely loved the original)
What are you most proud of thus far in your career, and what things/people do you think have contributed most to your successful career?
Was Dreamworks’s How To Train Your Dragon an inspiration for Raya And The Last Dragon? Also have you seen The Reluctant Dragon and Pete’s Dragon?
After Raya and the Last Dragon, you were going to direct an original movie at Disney Animation which was rumored it would have been a musical. What happened to the project? What would have it been about? What can you tell us about it?
I’ve got the pilot, I’ve got 100k so far. Whats the best way to find talent?
Back in 2020, you announced were doing the live action remake of Disney’s Robin Hood. Is it still happening? We haven’t heard anything.
Did Disney involve you at all with the theatrical/streaming release of Raya? What was it like having a movie be one of the most streamed of the year?
How feasible is it in this day and age to make a (modest) living producing projects that are situated within so-called “outsider art” communities?