
Director Portfolio
Rico Espinoza is an award-winning filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC.
Beginning with his directorial debut on the stage with his critically acclaimed "Feather Fall", Rico then became the first Canadian recipient of the Kevin Smith Film Production Scholarship. His Vancouver Film School graduation film “Darkvision” went on to win awards and accolades from festivals all over the world.
Notable Work
Awards



Portfolio

Please Please Please (Japanese Version) by Katy Lo (2024)

Sug-Arrr Crunch (2024)

Bon Appétit (2024)

Violet Essence (2023)

Can You Call Me (2023)

Darkvision (2021)

Game Night (2019)

Feather Fall (2016)

Helmet of Horror (2017)
Credits
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Vertical Series | Action | Sparkland Pictures
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Vertical Series | Drama/Mystery | Octagon After Ever Films Inc.
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Vertical Series | Drama | Sparkland Pictures
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Vertical Series | Drama | Sparkland Pictures
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Short | Music Video | Campfire Tales Productions
"When the Yakuza Boss orders his loyal Right Hand Man to escort his daughter to a rival gang leader, the secretly in love couple must defy her father and escape his wrath, risking everything for a chance at freedom."
A music video for an Original Japanese cover by Katy Lo of the Sabrina Carpenter song of the same name.
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Director, Producer, DoP, Editor
Indie Short | Live Performance | Campfire Tales Productions
[POST-PRODUCTION]
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Indie Short | Drama/Fantasy | Hazy Cue Media
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Student Short | Comedy | Vancouver Film School
“Oliver executes his plan to sell his collectables in order to support his fathers business, but not everything goes to plan.”
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Student Short | RomCom | Vancouver Film School
“A nervous Derek plans an elaborate proposal for his girlfriend, Stacey. As the plans are falling apart, it’s up to Derek to go with his heart or risk losing everything.”
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Director, Writer, Producer, Editor, DoP
48 hour Film Festival Short | Drama | Campfire Tales Productions
“Estranged siblings rediscover the light from their dark past after the death of their abusive father.”
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Director, Writer, Producer, Editor, DoP
Indie Short | Comedy | Campfire Tales Productions
“I can’t find my phone, can you call me?”
Best One Minute Short - Kollywood Film Festival - 2023
Best One Minute Short - Anatolian Film Awards - 2023
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Writer, Director
Student Short | Drama | Vancouver Film School
“Life is like a fragrant cup of tea.”
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Writer, Producer, Editor, Assistant Director, DoP
5 min | Indie Short | Drama | Co-Written with Sidney Quesnelle
Official Selection - Film Only Film Festival - 2022
Best Women’s Short Film - Gone Film Festival - 2021
Best Drama - Anatolian Film Awards - 2021
Best Drama - Alternative Film Festival - 2021
Best Short Fiction - Flatness Film Awards - 2021
Best Drama - Europe Film Festival U.K. - 2021
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Director, Story By
Student Short | Action/Fantasy | Vancouver Film School
“A meek comic shop owner must find his bravery to prevent his angelic best friend from killing his new demonic girlfriend.”
Best First Time Director - Future of Film Awards - 2023
Best First Time Director & Best Fantasy Short - Anatolian Film Awards - 2023
Best Horror Short - Veracruz Itinerant Short Film Festival - 2022
Best Sci-Fi Short - Hispanic Film Festival - 2022
Award of Excellence - Canada Shorts Film Festival - 2021
And many more…
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Student Film | Fantasy | Vancouver Film School
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Indie Short | Comedy | Campfire Tales Productions
“Dawn returns home after a hard talk with the woman she loves.”
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Indie Short | Comedy | Campfire Tales Productions
“A group of friends get together to play board games.”
Winner of the Kevin Smith Film Production Scholarship 2019
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Writer, Director, Producer, Host/DM
Monthly Actual-Play Table-Top Campaign | Youtube
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Indie Stageplay | Drama/Fantasy | Co-Directed with Rye Fournier | Campfire Tales Productions
Produced for the 2017 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
“8 strangers wake in their own labyrinths (or the same?) with only a keyboard and a cold screen to communicate. Their challenges are defined and devastated by the Helmet of Horror. But who can you trust when you haven’t met anyone?"
4/5 - VueWeekly
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59 pg | Indie Stageplay | Period/Fantasy | Campfire Tales Productions
Produced for the 2016 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
“An ageless war rages between Celestials and Demons, unseen by humanity. Lucy, a young Celestial, poses as a reporter for the Upper Canada Gazette during The War of 1812. As she falls in love with a human soldier, a malevolent force threatens everything she believes."
5/5 - Global News
4/5 - St.Albert Gazette
Lets Create! Lets Talk!
Vancouver, BC, Canada - Mar 2024