Filmmaker | Storyteller | Focused on Community, Culture and Change
San Francisco Bay Area
JJ Islas setting up a shot for the short film,
STRANGE REMEDY (2025)
WORK
🎥 🎬 🎞️
jj islas
portfolio reel
Music by AAAA
With over a decade of experience in documentary and digital media, Bay Area filmmaker JJ Islas creates films for nonprofits, artists, and community organizations that celebrate underrepresented voices and inspire connection. His work blends cinematic storytelling with social impact, always rooted in authenticity, empathy, and purpose.
THE BAD GIRLS RETREAT
Join Anumeha "Anu" Gupta as she takes a group of "Bad Girls" towards spiritual enlightenment at the beautiful Mount Madonna Retreat
Full Version
Social Media Version
altadena benefit concert
The Altadena Benefit Concert brought the generous Bay Area community together to support individuals, families, and communities that are recovering from the devastating Eaton fires that occurred on January 2025
Full Version
Social Media Version
oye latinx youth conference
Check out this year’s OYE Latinx Youth Conference held at Cañada College in Redwood City, California. This year's OYE theme is, “Together We Rise/ Juntos Avanzamos”
Full Version
Social Media Version
strange remedy
A BraveMaker Academy short film about strangers finding healing in mysterious roomsDirector of Photography &
Post Production Supervisor
firehouse art collective
The Firehouse Art Collective 20th Anniversary Celebration Featuring Art Director Tom Franco
Full Version
Social Media Version
San Mateo County Summer Public Service Career Fair
A highlight of the 2024 County of San Mateo Summer Public Service Career Fair
Full Version
Social Media Version
World War II: From the Frontlines
Through vividly enhanced archival footage and voices from all sides of the conflict, this Netflix Original Docuseries brings WWII to life like never beforeArchival Research Assistant
Behind the scenes of INFECTIOUS THEATRE
A Behind the Scenes highlight of BraveMaker Academy's short film, INFECTIOUS THEATRE (2024)
Mennonite Central Committee
The West Coast Mennonite Central Committee does global relief, development, and peace work in over 57 countries from their headquarters in Reedley, California
The Last Haven: Episode 1
The Closing of Hawes Elementary
Hawes Elementary, a school that was around for 62 years and whose student body was comprised of over 92% Latino students, was well on its way to becoming one of the top scoring schools in the district when it closed its doors on May 31st, 2019 due to "lack of enrollment"
de anza college's la voz
flea market highlight
A short highlight of De Anza College's monthly Flea Market reported by Xitlaly MartinezWinner of two JACC Journalism Awards
Headshot by Isolde Aburabi
© 2025 El JJ Films. All Rights Reserved.
El JJ
That's a wrap! JJ Islas, B-Camera Operator
Mandon Durazo, and Production Assistant
Harpreet Kaur Nijjer at the
BAD GIRLS RETREAT (2025)
I’m a Bay Area documentary filmmaker with over a decade of experience bringing meaningful stories to the screen. I blend a cinematic eye with documentary sensibility, collaborating closely with nonprofits, arts organizations, and mission-driven communities. Trained across every phase of production at Farallon Films with Academy Award–winner Steven Okazaki, I work as a writer, producer, director, cinematographer, and editor, and I also supervise classic film restoration and archival remastering, bringing both technical precision and artistic vision to every frame.
JJ Islas doing what it takes to get the shot at the
OYE LATINX YOUTH CONFERENCE (2025)
I create human-centered films and content that celebrate underrepresented voices, explore cultural identity, and drive real impact. Whether I’m directing a short film, producing a digital campaign, or researching and restoring archival footage, my approach remains thoughtful, grounded, and purposeful.I partner with Bay Area nonprofits, cultural organizations, and creative visionaries who want storytelling that connects, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression. If you’re looking for more than a cookie-cutter video and instead want a short film with soul, purpose, and cinematic vision behind every frame — let’s talk.Reach out, and let’s explore how your story can be brought to life with heart and impact...
© 2025 El JJ Films. All Rights Reserved.
© 2025 El JJ Films. All Rights Reserved.