Cinematic Journey of Filmmaker Jose Anthony Altamirano
- Isabel M. Castro
- Jul 28
- 6 min read
By Isabel M. Castro
Before he was recognized as a visionary voice in independent film, Jose Anthony Altamirano was just a young boy in Cudahy, California, crafting imaginative worlds out of cereal boxes and marbles, dreaming of machines that could outsmart the dark. That creativity, born from curiosity and wonder, would one day lead him to captivate audiences across film and stage. His short film Session won the "Audience Favorite Award" at the 2025 Nevada Women's Film Festival in Las Vegas, marking a milestone in his career shaped by perseverance, transformation, and heart.
Jose is the first American-born son, whose parents emigrated from Nayarit, Mexico, in 1974 and settled in Los Angeles, then in Cudahy. He grew up with limited resources but an abundance of imagination. His creative spirit and quiet determination consistently defied expectations. Jose shares strong bonds with his siblings—Nancy, Liliana, and David—and credits his eldest sister Nancy as an early source of inspiration. She would read poetry to him, planting seeds of language and rhythm that would grow into storytelling.
Jose's journey was never solely about winning awards. It was and still is about survival, storytelling, and the pursuit of personal creative transformation.
Photo by Sidney Oster Photography
In 1994, he married his high school sweetheart, Erica, whom he lovingly refers to as “My Girl.” He credits her as his most devoted supporter—the one who always has his back. Though they were young when they married, their shared strength helped them weather life’s greatest challenges and raise a united family in the Las Vegas area.
As a father, Jose says his deepest strength comes from his family, especially his two daughters, Valeria Elora, and Serene Isela.
“They saw me at my lowest and never gave up on me. They’re two of the strongest women I know,” Jose reflects. “Now grown, self-sufficient, and successful, they remain my greatest source of pride, admiration, and motivation.”
Seeds of Storytelling
Jose was introduced to the magic of theater at age eight, when he saw his father perform in Barabbas, a church play during Passover.
“I was mesmerized,” he remembers. That performance lit a spark. Although his father would later discourage his pursuit of a theatrical career, that moment planted a lasting seed.
Jose acknowledges the irony—his father, whom he considers his greatest influence, inspired him on stage, but also feared for his future in the arts.
"I think many Hispanic fathers are like that," Jose says. "They're trying to protect you from the cruelty of the world. He didn't want me to get hurt chasing my dream.”
Still, Jose followed his calling. In 2007, he joined the Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, setting a creative path that would lead to numerous roles in television, commercials, and film.
He flourished on stage. In 2019, Jose created and starred in his one-person show Toño at the Las Vegas Little Theatre (LVLT) Fringe Festival, where it won the “Best of” award. His theatrical depth expanded with roles in Lydia and The Ghosts of Lote Bravo, as well as References to Salvador Dali Makes Me Hot—all produced by A Public Fit Theatre Company from 2019 to 2025.
In 2024, Jose performed in ¿De Dónde? (From Where?) at Majestic Repertory Theatre under director Ana Gudiño, earning a “Best Supporting Actor” nomination from the Broadway World Regional Awards. Other notable stage and screen credits include Asylum productions such as Complemento (2022), Over the Highest Mountain (2024), and Latino Poetry (2024). Moreover, other productions that garnered critical attention were: Animal Justice (2024), Take Out Girl (2020), Hermanita (2022), Clarity (2015), and Desert Dawn (2025)—each expanding his artistic repertoire and deepening his storytelling voice.
It is worth noting that Sessions featured the talents of four Asylum actors.
“I am grateful and proud to see Jose’s and his fellow Asylum artists’ work celebrated in another form. Latino voices are critical contributions to our local community and nation’s cultural legacy,” said Sarah O’Connell, Artistic Director of The Asylum Theatre, Principal of Eat More Art LLC, and adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
A Creative Partnership
One of the most meaningful collaborations of his career began with a hallway interruption.
“Many years ago, Jose Anthony was on the crew of a film being shot in the building where I worked,” recalls producer, actor, and writer Gigi Guizado. “Our paths crossed when the sound of my heels clicking down the hallway interfered with a scene he was filming.”
Years later, that brief encounter blossomed into a lasting creative partnership. Jose invited Gigi to perform in a Spanish-language adaptation of Romeo and Juliet that he was directing.
"We're on the same page when it comes to culture, community, and representation," Gigi says. "We've been collaborating ever since—directing each other in projects ranging from theatre and poetry to translation and film."
Their shared values—deep cultural roots and storytelling through an inclusive lens—continue to elevate their work and amplify the voices of those who are often marginalized.
Session: An Audience Favorite
Jose’s short film Session, starring Gigi, is a layered exploration of grief. Each character represents one of the classic stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—along with two lesser-known phases: shock and reconstruction. The film unfolds in a therapy group setting, steadily building tension and intimacy toward a haunting cliffhanger.
Jose drew inspiration from personal experience and cinematic structure.
"12 Angry Men inspired the format—one room, multiple perspectives,” he says. “But the soul of Session came from my own journey through loss and healing.”
When Session won the “Audience Favorite” award at the 2025 Nevada Women’s Film Festival (NWFF), it was more than recognition.
"It validated all the rejection, all the doubt," Jose says. "It reminded me of that line in Gladiator—‘Win the crowd, and you’ll win your freedom.’ That’s exactly how it felt.”
Reconciliation and Redemption
Perhaps the most emotional moment in Jose’s career came on the set of Clarity, directed by Peyv Raz and starring Dina Meyer, where he cast his father in a small role.
For a man who once doubted his son’s path, the opportunity to act alongside him marked a powerful shift.
"He told me, 'I'm sorry for doubting you. I believe in you now," Jose shares. "That was everything. I think he finally saw how serious I was. That moment brought us together in a way nothing else could."
Now, Jose is in the process of adapting Toño—his one-person show—into a full-length ensemble stage production.
"This time, I want other actors to bring those characters to life," he says. "It's no longer just about me—it's about the community of voices behind the story."
Looking ahead, he is preparing to direct his first feature film.
"I want to surprise myself," he says with quiet excitement. "I want to see what I'm really capable of accomplishing.”
Rising From the Ashes
Among Jose’s earliest and most enduring inspirations is Disney’s Fantasia—specifically, the Firebird Suite segment set to Stravinsky’s music.
“That image of the phoenix rising from the ashes—that’s me. That’s what I do. That’s what I want my work to do,” he says.
He understands how rare it is for someone from his background to succeed in the performing arts.
“We didn’t have private lessons. We couldn’t afford them,” he says. “I want kids who come from nothing—kids like me—to know that if I can do this, they can too.”
Ultimately, he hopes to leave behind not only a body of work but also a lasting legacy.
"I want to leave something for my daughters—and for every young artist who feels like they don't belong."
About the Film
To learn more about Session, visit www.nwffest.com and explore a dynamic collection of emerging creative voices.
Session is more than just a cinematic achievement—it’s the culmination of a life spent chasing stories through the dark shadows and rising, again and again, into the light.
Jose Anthony Altamirano's achievements go beyond artistry. They reflect his resilience, integrity, and deep commitment to the truth. A storyteller of rare depth, he is a rising voice in independent film and theatre—and his journey has only just begun.
For more info on the film, email altoztony@gmail.com, follow on Instagram @el_jose_anthony, or call (702) 321-1340.
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