Kristian Mercado Figueroa is a Puerto Rican filmmaker living in Spanish Harlem whose music-driven short film Pa’lante won the SXSW Jury Award 2019. He also won at Slamdance for his screenplay Hawkbells. Screening at dozens of festivals; New Orleans, Atlanta, SIFF, Havana Film Festival and more. He also is a Slamdance screenplay competition winner for Hawk bells. Mercado’s distinct voice, addresses issues of identity, family, and systemic oppression across race and class. His work is celebrated for it’s poetic portrayal of working class struggles. Mercado has directed content for Billie Eilish, Awkwafina, Migos, De La Soul, MF DOOM, Planned Parenthood, and Adult Swim, among others. He recently finished his newest short film Mariposa made possible in part by The McKnight Foundation, The Archie D. and Bertha H. Walker Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Currently, Mercado is directing a Comedy Special with Hannibal Buress.