Luchadora - A CSUN Senior Thesis Film

A rejected luchadora defies the odds for a shot at glory, sneaking into a high-stakes match that leads to an unexpected rivalry—and a chance at redemption.

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We are thrilled to invite you to be a part of Luchadora, a senior thesis film produced by passionate students at California State University, Northridge. Your support will help us bring our vision to life!

Our story:

Luchadora follows Itzayana, a young woman in a small Mexican village who dreams of becoming a professional luchadora despite constant ridicule and rejection due to her size. After years of training, she risks everything by sneaking into a high-stakes wrestling match, only to be exposed and humiliated. Just when it seems her dream is over, an unexpected mentor—her former opponent—offers her a second chance. With newfound determination, Itzayana embarks on a journey of resilience and self-acceptance, proving that true strength comes from within.

Background: 

Representation in film is always an uphill battle. Although progress has been made toward diversifying film and TV, many people still feel overlooked and underrepresented due to the industry's lack of inclusivity. Latinos are the group with the lowest representation in film. Despite the Latino population making up 19% of the American population, with a growth of 23% over the last decade, only 4.4% of leads or co-leads in film are Latino. Despite the industry's push for diversity, much of the representation remains rooted in stereotypes. Luchadora is a film that seeks to break the mold through its main character: a plus-sized, female “luchadora.” Luchadora brings to light this group of underrepresented women and gives a fresh take on lucha libre films.

Statement from our director, Nicole Hernandez:

“Luchadora is a deeply personal story that was inspired by my family and my Mexican heritage. Like Itzayana, my family had to work hard and persevere through the adversity they faced in order to achieve a better life.”

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**ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO LUCHADORA ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE. The California State University Northridge Foundation is a CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION 501 (C)(3) PUBLIC BENEFIT CALIFORNIA CORPORATION**

Your donation: 

Equipment Rentals: Ensuring high-quality visuals and sound by funding professional cameras, lighting, and audio gear.

Locations: Securing authentic and visually compelling settings to enhance the film’s storytelling.

Cast Compensation: Fairly compensating SAG-AFTRA actors for their dedication and performances.

Costumes & Props: Covering wardrobe, props, and set design to create an immersive and period-accurate world.

Post-Production: Supporting editing, sound design, color grading, and visual effects to refine the final product.

Music & Score: Funding music licensing or an original score to enhance the film’s emotional impact.

Marketing & Distribution: Promoting the film through trailers, social media, and festival submissions.

Catering: Providing meals and refreshments to keep the cast and crew energized during production.

Contingency Fund: Covering unexpected expenses to keep the production on track.

Social media:

Give us a follow to stay up-to-date on our production and get exclusive BTS content.

https://www.instagram.com/luchadorafilm/#

Thank you for your support

On behalf of the cast and crew of Luchadora—we sincerely thank you for supporting our project. As a student production, every donation plays a vital role in bringing this story to life in the most authentic, creative, and safe way possible. We are thrilled to share this journey with you and to express our passion for filmmaking through the stories we create.

For inquiries, please reach out to the director or one of our producers:

Director: Nicole Hernandez, nicole.hernandez.423@my.csun.edu

Producer: Rebecca Okonek, rebecca.okonek.087@my.csun.edu

Producer: Bridget Sonobe, bridgetsonobe@gmail.com

Producer: Evan Chico, evan.chico.673@my.csun.edu

Producer: Maja Blackwood, maja.herrera.310@my.csun.edu