In 2022, we expanded into original development, deepening our commitment to telling stories that might otherwise go untold.
Our founder’s story is where it all began—an idea, a camera, and a commitment to telling stories that matter. Over 20 years later, the mission of ‘telling stories that need to be told’ still lives on.
In 2005, Kris Mendoza set out to produce a documentary on his grandfather, Felipe Padilla de Leon, a composer and the National Artist for Music in the Philippines. That documentary was aptly named The Maestro.
Kris always knew of his grandfather’s musical legacy, but curiosity eventually pulled him deeper. He raised funds for a camera and traveled to the Philippines—seeking his grandfathers story, and unexpectedly, finding his own . Along the way, Kris unearthed family roots, untold history, and the realization that if he didn’t tell this story, no one else could—at least not with the perspective only a grandson could bring.
After the documentary, Kris had everything he needed to continue: a camera, a bank account for the film, and an entrepreneurial itch. And so, Maestro Filmworks was born. For a few years, it was a one-man band. But as the ensemble grew, we began telling bigger, bolder stories. No matter how large we get, what gives Kris the most satisfaction is our shared passion to create and to proudly share a piece of ourselves with the world, something he learned from his grandfather.
