Meet the Producers
Hear the stories of the folks working to bring Kamala’s story to theaters across the country!
Meet the Producers
Hear the stories of the folks working to bring Kamala’s story to theaters across the country!
. Life is about doing good for others while finding joy and laughter along the way. That’s what Kamala embodies, and that’s the story I’m committed to telling. – Gerard Pizarro
Gerard Pizarro has always had a passion for storytelling. As a trial lawyer, Gerard found a platform to share the untold stories of everyday Americans. He advocated for social change by giving a voice to this nation’s underdogs.
After establishing himself professionally, Gerard decided that his passion for storytelling extended beyond the courtroom. So he enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he studied film — honing his craft as a director and developing his signature style. His dream was to push his storytelling to new limits by creating films which would allow him to reach a wider audience and connect with them on a deeper level.
Gerard began producing independent films focused on his cases and clients, like Emma, a victim of senseless gun violence. But Gerard felt like somewhere there was a larger story still waiting for him to tell. A story which would connect his many passions into a single work. This story was KAMALA — the tale of a woman of color who, through decades of hard work, rose to become one of the greatest leaders of her generation.
Gerard felt an instant connection with Kamala, whose family and middle-class background mirrored his own. Like her, Gerard’s mother was also an immigrant from East Asia who, after a lifetime of hard work, was recognized for her achievements in the medical world. Gerard has connected with Kamala on a number of special occasions, including as a guest at the Vice President’s most recent holiday party. And when the day came that Kamala finally announced her candidacy for President of the United States, Gerard knew that he had to share her audiences across America.
Through this film, Gerard plans to inspire millions by celebrating our shared humanity and showing that with hard work and compassion anything is possible.
This film is not just about showing who Kamala is, but about uniting us all through her story. – Samir Zakir
An entrepreneur by trade and a storyteller at heart, Samir Zakir is the founder of Illumin8 Entertainment and A New Era America. Samir has worked as a consultant for TV networks, film studios, political campaigns, nonprofit organizations, and lifestyle brands. His work blends creativity with purpose, using storytelling as a powerful medium to drive social change and empower communities.
Though his background is in television, Samir found himself unexpectedly pulled towards politics in 2016. Hillary Clinton’s campaign sparked Samir’s interest in how storytelling could be used as a tool for social change. Since then, he has worked with Democratic organizations on a wide range of initiatives from Presidential campaigns to local elections.
In recent years, Samir has shifted his focus from political and media consulting to full-time filmmaking. With KAMALA, he’s finally realized his lifelong dream of bringing socially impactful storytelling to the big screen. Samir hopes to amplify Kamala’s message of hope and unity while introducing new audiences to her incredible story.
The influence of strong female role models in his early life and his experiences as a multi-minority individual is just part of what drew Samir to Kamala’s story. Samir sees in Kamala the strength and grace needed to guide America toward a better future. He is honored to share her story with audiences across America and hopes that this film will spark new conversations about national wellness.