ABOUT THE FILM
LOGLINE
After the death of their father, siblings travel to Mexico in search of their secret half-brother, uncovering family truths and reconnecting with the culture they left behind.
SYNOPSIS
Finding Jose is a comedy drama set between the U.S. and the heart of Mexico, following three Mexican American siblings who venture to return father's ashes to a country they have been to in decades. The story begins at a cousin's baby shower as the siblings settle with the absence of their father a chisme is overheard revealing another secret son. Hitting the road to find the truth they connect With their outcast yet sentimental Tio lets and their rebellious and ambitious cousin Thalia. Through dusty highways, cantinas, and small-town festivals every wrong turn reveals more about who their father really Was, and Who they are Without him. Through heartbreak and absurdity, the film captures the ache of returning home to a place that no longer feels like yours.
Finding Jose explores the messy beauty of family, the guilt, the love, the secrets we bury, and the roots We can never escape. A love letter to Mexico, to the children of immigrants, and to every family still learning how to say goodbye.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
At its core, Finding Jose is about family, the messy, loving, imperfect kind that shapes who we become. The story is built from fragments of my own life and the lives of those closest to me: memories of road trips, laughter, silence, and the unspoken ways we love each other. I wanted to make a film that feels honest, one that shows how identity is not something we choose, but something we carry with us. Life. can be full of contradiction and beauty, and holds the stories that made my family who we are.
The film takes place in Mexico, a place that continues to shape my understanding of home, it’s where my family’s stories began, and where I’ve always felt most connected and lived some of my favorite childhood memories. Through this film, I want to capture the warmth, humor, and chaos of family life, while exploring how returning home can remind us of the parts of ourselves we’ve forgotten.
TIMELINE
Finding Jose is currently in development, with the script being finalized by December 2025 alongside location scouting and applications for grants, fellowships, and investors. Casting will begin in May 2026, alongside finalizing the crew, securing filming locations, and arranging production gear. Principal photography is planned for late November through mid-December 2026, followed by post-production beginning in early 2027, with an initial cut expected by May 2027. Filming in December is deeply intentional, many of my childhood memories come from visiting my family’s hometown of Tecalitlán, known for its mariachi festivals and vibrant community celebrations during that time of year. Those visits, filled with music, color, and family, are among the most beautiful and formative experiences of my life, and they inspire the heart of this film.
FILMING ON LOCATION
Filmed on location across Jalisco, Mexico, Finding José is rooted in real places, culture, and community. From vibrant towns to intimate family spaces, the setting becomes an essential part of the story — offering authenticity, visual richness, and a true sense of place that resonates on screen.
scouting photography of locations
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Lisset Mendoza is a Mexican-American filmmaker from Anaheim, California. Raised in a big family
withfour siblings, countless cousins, and two hardworking immigrant parents, she grew up
surrounded by stories. Her path into film began at eleven, when she joined a local skate crew, picking
up her dad’s camera to record their adventures. What started as skate videos quickly turned into a fascination with filmmaking. By high school, Lisset had formed a small film club and started directing
short projects which quickly transferred to her life in college, where she immersed herself in every part of the process; directing, editing, producing, and cinematography. While balancing two jobs, final films and another film club, Lisset never stopped following her passion for film.
Since then, she has directed over a mini-series, a dozen short films that have screened at various film festivals, assisted edited on projects with Breakwater Studios with The New York Times, produced a feature, and co-founded the ASCF (American Society of Cigars and Film), a nonprofit and annual film festival in Los Angeles dedicated to preserving celluloid filmmaking and supporting emerging artists. Today, Lisset continues to balance her work in marketing with her creative pursuits in narrative filmmaking. Her films often explore family, culture, and the everyday humor of growing up between worlds; capturing stories that are deeply personal yet universally understood.
PREVIOUS DIRECTING WORK BY LISSET MENDOZA
MEET THE TEAM
Finding José is led by a team of filmmakers and producers with experience across narrative film, commercial content, and branded storytelling. Our work has been recognized across film festivals and digital platforms, with projects spanning short films, documentaries, and branded campaigns. Director Lisset Mendoza brings over 10 years of experience in marketing and content production, combining cinematic storytelling with a strong understanding of audience engagement, brand strategy, and visual communication. Together, the team brings both creative vision and real-world execution — with a focus on telling authentic stories that connect with audiences and partners alike.
behind the scenes of productions
FINDING JOSE SIZZLE REEL & SCOUTING FOOTAGE
GET TO KNOW MY FAMILY & INSPIRATION
PRODUCTION IN MOTION
Currently in pre-production, the film is moving toward a December 2026 shoot with a clear creative and logistical plan in place. With locations, team, and development underway, the project is actively taking shape as it moves into its next phase of production.
SEEKING PARTNERS & SPONSORS
We are collaborating with a select group of partners and sponsors to help bring the film to life. From brand integration to cultural partnerships, each collaboration is designed to be meaningful, visible, and aligned with the story.
BUILT FOR A GLOBAL AUDIENCE
Designed to travel across festivals, streaming platforms, and digital spaces, Finding José is positioned to connect with wide, cross-cultural audiences through its humor, heart, and universal themes.
FINDING JOSE - PITCH DECK
WHY THIS FILM
Finding José is rooted in a deeply personal and widely relatable experience, the search for identity, family, and belonging. For many, the connection to where we come from can feel distant, fragmented, or unexplored. This story brings that journey to life through humor, conflict, and emotional honesty.
At a time when audiences are seeking authentic, culturally grounded stories, Finding José offers a perspective that feels both specific and universal, creating a film that resonates across generations and backgrounds.
COMPARATVE TITLES
Finding José blends the heartfelt, character-driven humor of Little Miss Sunshine with the cultural depth and journey-driven storytelling of Güeros.
Like Crazy Rich Asians, the film is positioned to connect with wide, global audiences through a culturally specific story with universal appeal.
Together, these influences shape a film that is intimate yet scalable, grounded in authenticity while designed to travel across audiences and platforms.
PERSONAL CONNECTION
This story is deeply personal. Growing up between cultures, I’ve experienced what it means to feel both connected to and distant from where you come from. Finding José was born out of that space, the questions, the curiosity, and the desire to understand family in a deeper way.
With a background of over 10 years in marketing and content creation, I’ve learned how to connect stories with audiences, not just emotionally, but strategically. This film brings those worlds together, combining personal storytelling with a vision designed to reach and resonate with a wide audience.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
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OUR SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO
Thank you for taking the time to explore Finding José.If you’ve made it this far, you’re more than a visitor—you’re part of the journey. We’re grateful to have you with us.