Lauren Moreno is a third-generation Mexican-American filmmaker from the San Fernando Valley, driven by one guiding principle: A search for meaning of the human experience. Inspired by filmmakers like Terrence Malick, Chloé Zhao, Andrea Arnold, Sean Baker, Werner Herzog, and Chantal Akerman, Lauren creates stories that explore identity, resilience, and connection in deeply human and relatable ways.

Her directorial debut, Palmdale, gained critical acclaim, winning Best Emerging Filmmaker at the SIMI Film Festival and Best L.A. Filmmaker at the LA Independent Women Film Awards. The film also made waves on the festival circuit, with selections at Portland Festival, NoHo CineFest, The Valley Film Festival, The Sherman Oaks Film Festival and more. Lauren’s journey began when her first written film was selected to play at the Official Latino Film Festival, sparking her passion for storytelling and amplifying underrepresented voices.

Lauren is known for her immersive approach, frequently casting non-actors to bring raw, unfiltered authenticity to her stories. She fosters a safe, collaborative environment where performers and crew are encouraged to take risks, explore vulnerability, and connect deeply with the narrative. This commitment to authenticity allows her films to capture the complexity and humanity of real life in a way that feels honest and authentic.

Through her work, Lauren aspires to challenge stereotypes and push for broader representation of Latino characters - depicting them as diverse, complex, multidimensional people who can anchor any story. While this remains a guiding goal, her films already delve into universal emotions, capturing the beauty, struggle, and meaning found in everyday life.

At her core, Lauren is a   storyteller   on a constant search for what makes us human, crafting films that aim to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level.