Raúl Acosta

BIO

Raúl Iván Acosta is a Peruvian writer and filmmaker whose creative path has crossed continents and mediums—from national television in Lima to short film festivals in Paris, from rap music during lockdowns to auctioning masterworks aboard international galleries.

His first short film was a national finalist in Peru. The second, Crisis, was broadcast across the country, earning him spots on television and radio. By the time his third project competed in the 48 Hour Film Project, Raúl took home First Place for Best Film, which earned him a nomination to Filmapalooza in Paris. The momentum that followed led him to direct and assist on a variety of commercial projects, including spots for BMW, banks, paint companies, clinics, and national institutions.

When the pandemic struck, Raúl turned inward—and toward music. He produced a personal rap series blending his poetry with beats, creating music videos written and produced entirely by himself. These weren’t for mass distribution but rather, as he describes, “to share a laugh and good time at sunset with my friends and family”. During this time, he also traveled across Peru—working on a few commercials, engaging in nonprofit efforts to support communities in need, and reconnecting with the soul of his country. From the ancient streets of Cusco to the vibrant landscapes of Tarapoto, Ayacucho, Arequipa, Pozuzo, Trujillo, and Chiclayo, each journey became more than a creative escape—it was the beginning of a deeper search for home, for belonging, and for a version of himself that could exist beyond familiar borders.

As Peru emerged from lockdown, Raúl was invited to come back to Lima, the capital, and join the team of Los Otros Libertadores, a large-scale historical TV series commemorating the country’s 200th anniversary of independence. Initially brought on as a second assistant director, he stepped up during an emergency production gap and successfully led multiple shooting days as the lead first AD—effectively forcing the producers to recognize his readiness and skill.

Soon after, seeking new landscapes and challenges, Raúl joined Park West Gallery, the largest art dealership in the world. He began as an art associate and quickly rose to Gallery Director and Auctioneer. There, he curated exhibitions aboard luxury ships, taught guests about art movements, and led dozens of live auctions. The experience sharpened his public speaking, performance timing, and appreciation for the emotional connection between art and audience.

But film was always the calling. In 2024, Raúl returned to New York to rediscover his voice as a director. His comeback short, The Dish, a spirited comedy set in a tense dinner party, was nominated for Best Film and Best Director at the 48HFP NYC. More than just recognition, it introduced him to a community of filmmakers who have since become his creative crew.

In 2025, Raúl was invited to lead a masterclass at the Bright Starts Green Room retreat in Daytona Beach, Florida. He directed another short film there, Double Booked, again laced with humor and character depth. That same experience inspired him to publish Always Be Selling, a hands-on guidebook for actors built from years of notes, classes, and lived experience. The book offers tools, mindset exercises, and projects designed to empower performers to take control of their craft.

Today, Raúl is based in Asheville, NC, where he’s actively developing narrative films and building acting and filmmaking programs to support the local creative community. He was recently appointed as the City Producer for the 48 Hour Film Project, a role that allows him to champion new voices and bring Asheville’s talent into a global storytelling movement.

Alongside longtime friend and seasoned NYC filmmaker Joseph Eulo, Raúl also co-founded NewYorkStories.org—a grassroots initiative dedicated to producing intimate, character-driven short films set during the city’s midnight hours. The project aims to unite local actors, writers, and filmmakers through collaborative, no-budget productions that elevate craft, connection, and community.

Raúl believes in stories that make you feel, laugh, and think—and he’s just getting started.

Gallery

"Photography has nothing to do with cameras."