Carlos Campos

Carlos Campos is a filmmaker and photographer born and raised in Watsonville, California, renowned for his passion for community engagement and documentary filmmaking. Born and raised in the Pajaro Valley, Carlos’s career is deeply rooted in his local community and surrounding areas. 

You might have already run into him while visiting a local event like the annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival, 4th of July Parade, Christmas in the Plaza, or Dia De Los Muertos Celebrations in downtown Watsonville. Throughout the years, Carlos has documented many of these local events and loves to share the images and videos for the community to enjoy. 

Carlos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism, laying the foundation for his journey into media and storytelling. He furthered his education with a Master of Fine Arts from the Social Documentation Program at UC Santa Cruz, where he honed his skills in documentary filmmaking with a keen focus on social issues. Carlos was also selected for the inaugural Watsonville Film Festival, Cine Se Puede Fellowship.  

He’s worked in the community for over 11 years for various organizations and agencies serving youth and the entire community. His goal has been to create an ideal place to work, live and play. Currently, Carlos serves as the Communications Director at County Park Friends, a nonprofit organization committed to improving and advocating for using Santa Cruz County parks and open spaces. His role underscores his dedication to promoting recreational activities, arts, and cultural events that enrich the lives of diverse community members across generations. 

Throughout his career, Carlos Campos has distinguished himself through various film projects that resonate deeply with local and broader audiences. During his graduate studies, he Directed and Produced a documentary highlighting the disparities in access to public parks and spaces within the Pajaro Valley, shedding light on crucial social and environmental issues. 

Carlos’s creative portfolio also includes his work as a producer and cinematographer for the short film “13 Años, 9 Kilómetros,” which emphasizes the profound significance of access to nature for personal well-being and community vitality. Because of the film, Carlos was invited to take part in a Guest Speaker panel at the State Capitol for CA Ocean Day. His contributions to filmmaking have earned him recognition throughout the Pajaro Valley and Santa Cruz County, where he has been celebrated as one of the Favorite Local Millennials by the Pajaronian, a local newspaper.  

In addition, Carlos Campos has been nominated twice for the prestigious Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship Program at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. This honor reflects his standing as a respected artist and filmmaker within the regional arts community. 

Carlos’s commitment to media extends beyond his community work; he has also worked as a Cinematographer on an episode for Sound Field PBS, a music education series exploring the theory, production, history, and cultural impact of Mexican Regional music. 

Carlos Campos continues to inspire through his filmmaking, advocacy, and community leadership. He leverages the power of storytelling to effect positive change and promote social justice in the Pajaro Valley and beyond. 

His work can be found on Instagram at @bazinga_charlie.