Raúl Acosta

BIO

I’m Raúl Iván Acosta, 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.

My first short film was a national finalist in Peru. The second, Crisis, was broadcast nationwide and led to interviews on TV and radio. By the time my third project competed in the 48 Hour Film Project, I took home First Place for Best Film, which earned me a nomination to Filmapalooza in Paris. The momentum that followed opened the door to directing and assisting on a variety of commercial projects, including campaigns for BMW, banks, paint companies, clinics, and national institutions.

When the pandemic struck, I turned inward—and toward music. I produced a rap series blending poetry with beats, making music videos I wrote and produced myself. These weren’t meant for mass distribution but, as I like to say, “to share a laugh and good time at sunset with my friends and family.” During that time, I also traveled across Peru, working on commercials, supporting nonprofit efforts in local communities, and reconnecting with the spirit of my country. From Cusco to Tarapoto, Ayacucho, Arequipa, Pozuzo, Trujillo, and Chiclayo, each journey became more than a creative escape—it was a search for home, for belonging, and for a version of myself that could exist beyond familiar borders.

As Peru emerged from lockdown, I was invited to join Los Otros Libertadores, a large-scale historical TV series commemorating the nation’s bicentennial. Initially hired as a second assistant director, I soon stepped up during an emergency production gap and successfully led multiple shooting days as the lead first AD—proving I was ready to handle more responsibility.

Seeking new horizons, I joined Park West Gallery, the largest art dealership in the world. I began as an art associate and quickly rose to Gallery Director and Auctioneer. Onboard luxury ships, I curated exhibitions, taught guests about art movements, and led dozens of live auctions. The experience sharpened my public speaking, performance timing, and appreciation for the emotional connection between art and audience.

But film has always been my calling. In 2024, I returned to New York to rediscover my voice as a director. My comeback short, The Dish, a spirited comedy set at a tense dinner party, was nominated for Best Film and Best Director at the 48HFP NYC. More importantly, it introduced me to a community of filmmakers who have since become my creative crew.

In 2025, I was invited to lead a masterclass at the Bright Starts Green Room retreat in Daytona Beach, Florida. I directed another short film there, Double Booked, again mixing humor with character depth. That same experience inspired me 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 help performers take control of their craft.

Today, I’m based in Asheville, NC, where I’m developing new narrative films and building acting and filmmaking programs to support the local creative community. I also serve as City Producer for the Asheville 48 Hour Film Project, championing new voices and bringing Asheville’s talent into a global storytelling movement.

Alongside my longtime friend and collaborator Joseph Eulo, I co-founded NewYorkStories.org - a grassroots initiative producing intimate, character-driven short films set during the city’s midnight hours. Together, we aim to unite local actors, writers, and filmmakers through collaborative, no-budget productions that elevate craft, connection, and community.

I believe in stories that make you feel, laugh, and think - and I’m just getting started.

Gallery

"Photography has nothing to do with cameras."