Cincinnati, May 8, 2026 — Ecuadorian filmmaker Camilo Idrobo, a former LULAC Ohio Educational Foundation (LOEF) scholarship recipient and graduate of Northern Kentucky University, premiered two impactful films at a sold‑out screening at the Esquire Theatre. The event drew a strong showing from LOEF leadership and the Latino Young Professionals Network, many of whom contributed to the production.

The evening opened with “Mosaic,” a feature‑length documentary that follows immigrant and refugee students at Aiken High School in College Hill. The film highlights the school’s Illustrated Memoir Project, where ESL (English as a Second Language) students write and illustrate their own life stories through graphic‑novel formats. By centering their personal narratives, the project helps students learn English through identity, memory, and self‑expression rather than starting from a blank slate. The documentary also weaves in scenes from the school’s agricultural program, showing how students balance creative storytelling with hands‑on farm work.

The second film, “Hollow Hopscotch,” is a narrative short that examines two families living starkly different realities in contemporary America. One storyline follows a Latin‑American family torn apart by forced separation, told through the imagination of a young girl longing for her father. The other portrays an American family whose outward privilege masks a household dominated by a patriarch whose toxic masculinity shapes every interaction. Through these parallel narratives, Idrobo explores themes of inequality, fear, privilege, and the systems that bind families together—or pull them apart.

LOEF President Laura Moese served as one of the film’s producers, helping bring Hollow Hopscotch to life. In addition, several Latino Young Professionals participated as cast members and in various production roles, making the project a true community collaboration and a testament to the creative talent within Cincinnati’s Latino professional network.

Following the screenings, Idrobo engaged the audience in a thoughtful Q&A session, reflecting on the emotional contrasts between the two films. He spoke about how Mosaic uplifts empathy, belonging, and the resilience of immigrant youth, while Hollow Hopscotch confronts the consequences of fear, intolerance, and the echoes of authoritarianism that shape family and societal dynamics.

The premiere brought together community members, advocates, and young professionals for an evening that celebrated storytelling, cultural identity, and the power of film to spark dialogue. For many in attendance, the event was both a celebration of Idrobo’s artistic achievement and a moment of collective pride for the LOEF community that helped support his journey.