A botched scam and a chance visit to the neighborhood Dominican bodega, sets off a series of unexpected events that puts Raymond’s luck in question.

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We are raising money to turn our critically acclaimed short film into a feature film.

A story about the short comings of financial literacy in our Latino communities and how that affects the life-changing decisions for a Dominican family in the Tri-State area.

Abuela's Luck Feature Deck

Abuela's Luck (Short Film) Media Coverage

Synopsis

It's Raymond's 20th birthday, and he's doing what he does best with his cousin Gio: scamming and making money. They're also on the search for scratch offs as a birthday gift for their Abuela. She's celebrating her 95th birthday. Raymond has the chance to go live in the Dominican Republic for a few months with his Abuela while she settles into retirement there. It's been a thought in his mind to live out in the motherland, tap into his roots. Holding Raymond back is the opportunity of attending college or stay running around with his cousin Gio. The scammer life is a fast-life and it's been paying off well for them.

Raymond has clung onto his family, especially Gio, for a glimpse at what other options life has to offer. This time it might've been more than what he had been expecting. At Abuela's birthday party a misunderstanding officially comes to light that puts Raymond's family at odds with each other and with the community that they cherish so dearly.

Why Our Story

There is a 20-year old Raymond in every American neighborhood. Each one has a grandma/mother they love and support. In fact, there is an Abuela in every household not only Latinos. At every dinner table. At every bodega. Abuela's luck is THE story of how young men and women can overcome economic challenges to create a better life for their families and their communities. How the lack of financial literacy in our communities sets families back for generations instead of progressing.

That is why we need to produce this film. To inspire others to invest back into their communities and their families. And with the right team and resources, we can help every Latino household create their own luck.

Director's Statement

Thank you for taking the time to read this. A sense of inspiration can come in many forms. Everyone’s own experiences will make for inherently different stories to tell. Feeling isolated from my family for the first time in my life back in 2015 was the initial inspiration for Abuela’s Luck the short film. I had just moved from New Jersey to LA where I was starting a new life for myself. I wanted the message to be a nod to the pillars of our families. A small way to say - “Thank you for your sacrifices.” As I've gotten older I've come to realize that some of those very same sacrifices - extend beyond family. Those same sacrifices are the pillars of the communities our families live in.

As a child of Dominican immigrants, and having a passion for business - I now want to extend the original story into the world of IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURSHIP and their FAMILIES. The aspirations and prosperity that can come from that - but also the vengefulness that it can incite from its very own people. As an adult, I now have an entirely new appreciation for my mother and the sacrifices she made to raise me while running her own business. And coincidently enough I’ve jumped into a career in filmmaking because of my passion for the storytelling business. But through my stories, I want to be in the business of creating change.

Every story has been told. Love, revenge, coming of age. The major difference is the intricate characters that are illustrating these stories through their experiences. I want this film to be a mirror put up to our society as a whole: that no matter your CULTURE, we as a COMMUNITY are responsible for the well being of each other. We all have an Abuela that's constantly praying for our continued blessings. Here and in the eternal. We are all Abuela's Luck.

- Ricky Rosario

Writer, Director, Producer

Director's Reel