about

Mariscela Beatríz Méndez is a Director of Photography born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Miss Méndez has a deep connection to her Mexican-American roots and often works on projects involving Latiné identity, female leads, and magical realism. Her most notable projects include “Las Hijas de Rosalia” executive produced by LIN MANUEL MIRANDA, which will premiere at the 2025 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL, and she also served as the LA Unit DP for the documentary “Faithful Defenders” executive produced by CATE BLACHETT and DIRTY FILMS, and the episodic festival darling DICK BUNNY, directed by Katie Locke O’Brien. Miss Mendez’s upcoming project “Water Angel” marks her second collaboration with director Nijla Mu’Min and is part of the In Bloom anthology of short films for MTV STAYING ALIVE FOUNDATION premiering on PARAMOUNT+ this summer. 

Mariscela was selected to participate in the 2024 ReFrame Rise Fellowship partnered with Women in Film and The Sundance Institute. Miss Méndez is also an alumni from the ASC Vision Mentor Program, Film Independent’s Project Involve, and was the recipient of the Peregrine Collective Cinematographer’s Grant. She was nominated twice at the 2025 Mexican-American Film and TV Festival for BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY and ultimately won for her work on the surreal horror short film, “Vivir”. 

Between narrative projects Miss Mendez also works in the commercial space for clients such as GOOGLE, RED ROBIN, CLOROX, and HERDEZ. Currently Mariscela is focusing on narrative feature length, episodic and commercial projects. She is a proud member of ICG Local 600 and works worldwide.