José Fresán

What initially drew you to screenwriting, and what keeps you passionate about the craft?

I’ve always been a visual storyteller, and screenwriting felt like the perfect medium to bring that instinct to life. It balances narrative and imagery, giving me both structure and freedom. The craft grounds my ideas while opening space to create stories and visuals in meaningful ways. That balance between the discipline and the freedom keeps me inspired and always thinking about the next project.

Can you walk us through your creative process when developing a screenplay?

I believe process is always evolving, with each project demanding something new from you. For me, the constant is starting with freedom, allowing myself to explore an idea in my head, to daydream with it, and to sit with its emotional resonance. Once it feels strong enough to pursue, I shift into structure and approach it with discipline, shaping the idea into something tangible.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories, and how do you decide which ideas to pursue?

I’m drawn to projects rooted in an emotional truth I can feel deeply, some realization or feeling I’ve experienced about life. From there, I begin shaping characters and plot around that core. Through conversations with family and friends, I test whether that truth resonates more broadly, with the potential to become something universal that others can connect to.

What has been the most rewarding project you've worked on so far, and why?

Of Water and Dust has been the project that opened this new world to me. It showed me that I can successfully write something with the power to resonate and spark meaningful conversations. It also proved that I have the skill to tell the stories I’ve long wanted to bring to life.

Screenwriting can be a tough industry—how do you handle challenges and setbacks?

Yes, it’s a tough industry, but it’s also a beautiful one, full of talented, inspiring people who believe in the power of storytelling. I’ve found that when you truly believe in yourself and your stories, the right people are drawn in, and that’s when the magic begins.

In your experience, what makes a screenplay truly stand out to industry professionals?

I think it depends on what you’re pursuing and how you want to stand out. One path is to write accessible, marketable films that studios recognize as having profit potential, an art in itself. The other is to write the stories you feel most connected to, the ones you believe need to be told, and trust that they’ll find their place.

Are there any particular themes or messages you always strive to include in your work?

I tend to seek out themes that push me beyond my comfort zone, both as a writer and as a person. The stories that challenge my emotions and my perspective are the ones that ignite that spark in me. It may sound a little masochistic, but I believe pushing against those emotional boundaries brings out my best work.

How do you see the future of storytelling evolving, and what excites you most about it?

I see the future of storytelling becoming increasingly diverse, immersive, and boundary-pushing, with new platforms and technologies expanding how stories are experienced. Yet I believe the craft and the human core of storytelling will always remain at its heart.

What advice would you give to aspiring screenwriters looking to break into the industry?

Write the stories you’re passionate about, and be open to the shapes they take and the new paths that emerge. We all have ideas of what a career in screenwriting should look like, but the truth is, there’s no single way in, so embrace the ride.

What's next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or goals you're excited about?

I’m revising Of Water and Dust while outlining an exciting new project. I’m also taking some training at Juilliard to deepen the connection between my writing and the craft of acting.