Rojas calls this project "The dream project" because working so closely with his sons is a dream come true. "Seeing my young adult sons come into their own right before my eyes gave me goose bumps every day on the set". They embraced this project and their fathers crazy ideas. They fought side by side with me to make it happen. Papi's Promise tells the story of 48 year old, Nuyorican Carlo Bonilla
. Carlo has done a great job of living in the shadow of responsibility for many years but when his world is shaken by tragic events he must decide between staying in the comfort of the shadows or stepping out into the light. This tender and simple story promises to enter your soul and hang a picture of love on one of it's empty walls. Put Papi's Promise on your list of films to see. Felix Rojas was born in The Bronx on July 11th, 1962 to Frank and Felicita Rojas. Frank and Felicita met in El Barrio where they were raised (after coming from Puerto Rico in their teens) by their parents who migrated from The Island in the 1940's. Their migration was one of hope for a better life than the poverty stricken Puerto Rico could provide at the time. They came and they worked. They worked until they couldn't work any more, raising the kids, sending them to private school and putting down payments on brand new homes and cars... for their kids as well. Mama and Papa, as they were called, would not be denied. They would achieve the American dream for their family even if it meant laboring in the factories till every last ounce of strength was depleted. Their lives defined sacrifice in a way that our generation could never comprehend. Felix takes the values, integrity and commitment he learned from his parents and grandparents and applies them directly to his art in every way he can. Felix is a director, editor, producer, set designer, sound designer and marketing professional by necessity...he is a writer by design. He recalls writing stories as early as the age of six. Inspired by Sherlock Holmes and Godzilla in the early days he would write who-done-it's and disaster movies before they became famous. He remembers writing a story titled "Earthquake" years before the Charlton Heston blockbuster exploded on to the screen. Felix's credits include:
Theatrical -(Author) From The Mind Of Cheo, Hotel Presidential, Mandance, Joy's Chaos and Growing Up Gonzales. Growing Up Gonzales continues it's two and a half year run this November. It will run for 5 months in The Village in NYC. For more info go to www.growingupgonzales.com. Film - Don't Smoke Ever (anti smoking commercial) The Man Next Door (short film, writer, director, producer) Retsnom (short film, writer, director, producer) and now in the final weeks of post production, Feature film, PAPI'S PROMISE. Felix calls Papi's Promise the best job he's ever had because his partners in the film were his two sons Nick and Felix Jr. Felix writes for his people, his people being defined as people of like mind and spirit. He is Proud to be a Nuyorican/Puerto Rican/Boricua and he is eager to tell our stories.
