Carlos Martinez is an independent film producer and distribution strategist with 16 years of experience in financing, producing, and distributing narrative and documentary films, holding an M.F.A. in Film Production from USC School of Cinematic Arts and having produced over 20 independent features that have premiered at major international festivals and secured global distribution deals.
Carlos Martinez earned his M.F.A. in Film Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he specialized in independent producing and film finance structures. Over the past 16 years, he has produced more than 20 independent narrative features and documentaries, navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of film financing, festival strategy, streaming platform distribution, and hybrid theatrical releases. His producing credits span festival darlings that secured distribution through Sundance and Toronto, as well as commercially-oriented projects designed for streaming platforms and international markets. Carlos has deep expertise in structuring financing deals that preserve filmmakers' creative control while attracting investors seeking reasonable returns, and in positioning films for maximum visibility in an oversaturated marketplace. He has worked extensively with virtual production technologies, helping independent filmmakers access LED volume facilities and real-time rendering tools on limited budgets. Carlos regularly consults with writer-directors on balancing artistic vision with commercial viability, advising on when to accept studio notes versus when resistance protects core creative integrity. He teaches masterclasses on film financing, distribution strategy, and the business of independent filmmaking at industry workshops and film schools. Carlos is a member of the Producers Guild of America and frequently speaks at industry panels about adapting to streaming economics, timing distribution deals for maximum leverage, and avoiding the fatal production mistakes that render indie films unmarketable. His work bridges the gap between artistic ambition and business pragmatism in an industry undergoing revolutionary transformation.