Conversation with C. Díaz, December 21, 2021

In this conversation, C. Díaz discusses their return to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in 2021 after years of working in Los Angeles as a film colorist and experimental filmmaker. Díaz reflects on the transition from a career focused on color correction and remastering in the film industry to the cofounding of ENTRE, an artist-run community film center and regional archive in the RGV. Discussion delves into Díaz's motivation for establishing ENTRE, which was inspired by community-centered organizations like the Echo Park Film Center in Los Angeles. Díaz highlights the importance of preserving local histories through the collection, digitization, and archiving of home movies, photographs, and oral histories, which together offer a rich tapestry of the RGV's collective memory. The interview underscores the significance of balancing personal creative work with community-driven projects, as well as the critical role archives play in maintaining cultural identity amid rapid regional transformation.