In the heart of Ecuador’s El Bosque Nublado (The Cloud Forest), María Tabango tends to a sustainable trout farm, nurturing both the land and local economy. Her work supports conservation efforts in this biodiverse region while providing fresh food and livelihoods for surrounding communities.
She manages the daily operations the farm, overseeing everything from stocking fry to maintaining water quality. Her job is physically demanding and requires constant attention, especially during the dry season when water scarcity can threaten the entire production. With a deep understanding of the delicate balance between nature and aquaculture, María’s work is both a livelihood and an act of environmental stewardship.
María cares for her trout farm with deep respect for the land—offering a hopeful reminder that we can all learn from her sustainable way of life.
Behind every frame lies a story.
On Hollywood Blvd, I met two strangers, full of life and warmth. After talking for a bit and letting them take my photo I started realizing how powerful this moment was.
Drawn to their vibrant yet fragile connection, I began documenting their journey. Beneath their smiles was a profound sadness—a glimpse into the struggles they carried. Two kind souls navigating a world that often overlooks them.
I met Tim a while back and returned to this story recently.
He was disconnected yet more connected to the energy, the "force", as he put it then many people I know. Before connecting with him he felt he was blaming himself for his situation. Together, however, it was interesting to see how he finally realized it wasn't him that brought him to the streets. Instead, it was the lack of love he felt from his family.
Grateful for Tim. He made me realize how lucky I am for my family and their love and support, for who knows where I could be without them.
"Never give up" says Eddy as he shares his story about being Homeless. Eddy is a resilient, fun, kind man I met in the line for Food on Foot.
Eddy's tale is a hymn of struggle, resilience, and unwavering faith. Born beneath New York's sky, raised by California's sun, and settled in Hollywood's glow for the past seven years, his journey is etched with hardship yet illuminated by hope.
After a long time of parallel growth Sara was finally feeling good enough to hang out again. She spent the last 6 months in and out of sobriety and countless homeless shelters, where she experienced abuse and illegal evictions. She told me she hadn’t reached out to me for “fear of sharing a negative energy.”
I've known Sara for three years now. Im so grateful that even through multiple phones, constant relocation, and hard times she still finds a way to hold onto my number. She calls me her god daughter film major and I feel so lucky to call her my muse, my star, my friend. Shes always wanted to have a documentary made about her, she always wanted and felt she deserved to be heard. Despite her deep insecurities, stemming from her dad and mom’s abuse, she loves being in the spotlight.
A short documentary based in Hollywood documenting homelessness. I decided to center the film on Sara, an incredible, wise, talented, women who found herself in unfortunate circumstances. We are all people and the film focuses on emphasizing no matter where we may live, what we look like, where we come from, we all have hopes, dreams, fears, humor, and love to give.
Art by Bella Veale, Film by Milla Heckler
"Epilogue" drawn by Bella Veale
Filmed by Me
Short video diary of the April 2024 Profile Pop-Up art show hosted in Oakland CA. The art show was curated by Me, Bella Veale, and Jamie Harrison. Photographed and video by me.
With the most special recognition to Juanma Molleja, we were able to articulate this film about him and about his love for Apnea, freediving.
I wanted to create this film because to me diving is akin to the cycle of life. With that first breathe you take when you enter the world as an infant to the last exhale you let out when you leave the world behind. The surface holds you, the small molecules hold up pounds of your flesh countering gravity's attempts to pull you to the center of the planet. Your buoyancy resists sinking. Just like life it's easy to remain comfortable comfortable above the surface. Sitting calmly above the unknown, seeking the refuge of the sea's exterior forces, seeking to turn a blind eye to the darkness. But life should never be easy, it should be hard. Because without difficult moments one can never learn to be strong. Without obstacles one can never appreciate the open roads. Some people choose to stay on the surface. Others, however, choose to dive a little deeper...
Film created by Milla Heckler and Yasmin Saddi, starring Juanma Molleja
This film depicts the complexity in each individual and the corresponding simplicity that we then can find in all of humanity. It shows how one ordinary woman working at a flower vending machine holds so many layers of life stories encompassing trauma, sadness, hope, love, and passion. We walk by so many people everyday, consumed by our own concerns and oblivious to the rich tapestry of experiences each person carries – their hopes, dreams, past, and future. May this film serve as a gentle reminder of the myriad lives contained within every individual, inspiring us to treat those around us with increased kindness and compassion.
Director: Milla Heckler
Director of Photography: Jonathan Gelfond and Alec Lam
Music: Alec Lam
Edited by Milla Heckler
This short film captures the unspoken descent from warmth to wounds, from passion to hate, from lovers to strangers.
Director of Photography: Milla Heckler
Stylist: Dalya
Editor: Milla Heckler
Models: Berru Köksal and Martin Rodriguez
My film is somewhat similar to the study of life on Earth: inconsequential. Nothing will come of it. Or nothing tangible will come of it. It is solely an expression of our universe through me and through my art. Everything I create has already been done for me, its just I pieced it together.
This film or this piece of art, cant really even be called a film. Rather it's more a collection of thoughts that are just weaved together portrayed through one final video. It is an accumulation of my ideas on the separation that has occurred between humans and nature and the complexity versus the simplicity that has been formed within each group.
I created this film to show the beauty of nature and the destruction imposed upon it by the human race.
Awarded the grand prize for the Earth X Planet 911 Youth Film Contest.
Cadaques, España - Julio 2024
Video diary of the peace the ocean brings me
Shot in Malibu, CA on Canon Rebel t7
4 dias en Ibiza
Director of Photography for a Viktor & Rolf Fragrances Campaign
On this film for FAST club at UC Berkeley I worked as Assistant Camera director and on the art department.
A short story on the odd era of life that is ones early teenage years. Drama, insecurities, childlike wonder, the yearn to be older, and kindness all wrapped up in 5 minutes in a changing room.
Just messing around with some footage from NYC
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