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Alejandro Zavala

@officialalejandrozavala

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I’ve lived a thousand lives. This is the first one I’m sharing. Father • Formerly Incarcerated • Producer • Author • Speaker
🎬 Broken Ones • Real Ones

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Six years ago today, I walked out of prison.

Not the prison I had known before—the one with bars, gates and concrete walls. This was a different prison. Addiction.

On October 3, 2020, I decided I was done with the booze, the drugs and the chaos that came with them. I needed to save my own life, but I also wanted to become an example for my children. I wanted them to know that your past may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to determine how that story ends.

A lifetime has happened in the six years since. I’ve watched my older children become incredible adults. I’ve become a dad again and a granddad. I’ve built things, lost things, started over, reinvented myself, written my story and made movies trying to turn some of what I’ve lived through into something with purpose.

And through all of it, I think the thing I’ve really been searching for is peace.

Peace with where I’ve been. Peace with who I am. And the understanding that life isn’t measured only by our successes or failures. It’s measured in moments—the people we love, the time we get with them, and the fact that we’re still here to experience it.

I’m grateful for everyone who has loved me, prayed for me, challenged me, forgiven me or walked beside me along the way.

Six years free. And still becoming.

10.03.20 — 10.03.26 🙏🏽 by @officialalejandrozavala

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12 days ago

Well… the secret’s out.

We’re beyond excited to officially announce Broken Ones, our upcoming film, featured today in Variety.

What started as an idea has become an incredible journey alongside an amazing cast and creative team. We can’t wait to show you what’s been in the works.

Stay tuned—this is only the beginning.

@theterrencehoward @katebosworth @guillerivan

#BrokenOnes by @officialalejandrozavala

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3 months ago

As promised here is the 2nd Official Poster for REAL ONES 🎥

Pain built the man. Purpose made him unstoppable.

When the system pushes you to the edge, you either break… or turn pain into power.

Real Ones — based on true events.

🎬 #RealOnes #TurnPainIntoPurpose #IndependentFilm #TrueStory #CinematicDrama #RealOnesMovie

Design by @georgelako by @officialalejandrozavala

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a year ago

We all know that @lizmanashilfilm loves a good morning routine reveal… but this one stopped her in her tracks. Our conversation with @officialalejandrozavala is out now!

Guest: @officialalejandrozavala
Hosts: @alrikbursell @lizmanashilfilm
Producer: @tomsfunny

#podcasts #indiefilm #makingmoviesishard #podcast #filmpodcast by @officialalejandrozavala

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2 days ago

From Prison to Legal Secretary to Producing Feature Films with @officialalejandrozavala! Hosted by @alrikbursell and @LizManashil. Produced by @TomsFunny. Check out the latest @bleavnetwork episode wherever you listen to your favorite #indiefilm #podcasts. by @officialalejandrozavala

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3 days ago

Coming next week, the fascinating evolution of @officialalejandrozavala from gang banger to successful entrepreneur to up-and-coming producer… you don’t want to miss this one!

Hosts: @alrikbursell @lizmanashilfilm
Producer: @tomsfunny

#indiefilm #podcasts #makingmoviesishard by @officialalejandrozavala

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7 days ago

Catch our client author and filmmaker @officialalejandrozavala today live on @nickvalencianews where he’ll be talking about his upcoming memoir and film! by @officialalejandrozavala

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7 days ago

Yesterday, I was going through some old things when two pages fell out of a photo album @lovelyyy_dess gave me for Father’s Day a few years ago. I picked them up and just sat there looking at them for a minute.

My kids when they were little. People who aren’t here anymore. And a much younger version of myself who had no idea what life had waiting for him.

I wondered what I’d tell that younger version of me if I could sit across from him today. Would I warn him about the heartbreak, the mistakes, the people we’d lose, or the hard years ahead?

Probably not.

I’d tell him to trust more. Worry less. Love his people while they’re here. And believe that no matter how uncertain life gets, he’ll find his way through.

Looking at him now, I think he’d be proud of me. Not because I got everything right, but because I kept going.

Some of the people in these pictures aren’t here to see who we became. Or maybe somehow they are. ❤️
Thank you Destiny for the beautiful gift that keeps giving, love you guys.
Every version of you is counting on the one you’re becoming. Make them proud. by @officialalejandrozavala

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9 days ago

Taking this journey one step at a time and learning lessons at every turn.

I’ve navigated some interesting worlds in my lifetime. Prison yards. Street gangs. The legal field. And now filmmaking.

You would think after everything I’ve been through, making movies would be the easy part. 😂 It’s not. The film industry might be one of the hardest worlds I’ve ever had to navigate. It takes patience, resilience, relationships, money, timing — and the ability to keep believing in something when there are a hundred reasons it might not work.

But I’m learning to appreciate all of it. The wins, the mistakes, the people I meet, the doors that open and even the ones that close. Every experience teaches me something I’ll carry into the next one.

I’m not trying to have the whole journey figured out anymore. I’m just taking the next step, learning the lesson, and continuing to create.

Hardest thing I’ve ever done. Still wouldn’t trade it for anything. 🎬 by @officialalejandrozavala

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20 days ago

I’ve reinvented myself more than once in this lifetime.

Different chapters. Different careers. Different versions of me.

One thing I’ve learned is that you’re never too old, too far behind, or too established in one life to decide you want another one.

The next chapter is yours to write. by @officialalejandrozavala

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22 days ago

Grateful for the people, the conversations, and everything that came together this weekend. We’re just getting started. 🙏🏽 by @officialalejandrozavala

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24 days ago

Kansas City, I’m coming back. 🎬

Looking forward to joining KC Film Fest International this weekend for a conversation about filmmaking, storytelling, and the journey behind Broken Ones.

Always special coming back to a city that became such a big part of this film.

See you in KC. taken in Kansas City, Missouri by @officialalejandrozavala

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a month ago