Mariem Pérez Riera

Born a fraternal twin in Puerto Rico, her father Silverio Perez, a famous comedian, host, and writer; and her mother Roxana Riera, a singer and a painter; Mariem was accustom to a bohemian, "artistic" way of living. At age nine Mariem performed in the leading role of the movie "The Two Worlds of Angelita". The last day on the set she was forced to cry for a scene and didn't like the way the director manipulated her into crying. At that moment she decided to become a film director. She obtained her Bachelor Degree in Film Direction from the University of Miami and continued her education in documentary cinema with a degree in Continuing Studies from New York University. She then moved to Cuba where she studied at the International School of Film and Television (EICTV) in La Havana. She came back to Puerto Rico in 1999 when the news broke about the accidental death of the security police David Sanes that mobilized all Puerto Ricans into the Navy's restricted area, in order to stop the Navy's military exercises. Her first documentary "Cuando lo pequeno se hace grande" shows the fight against the United States military presence on the beautiful Vieques island and was awarded as Best Short Documentary at the Havana International Film Festival and at Los Angeles International Film Festival, and received the Jurors Choice Award at the Cine Iberoamericano Festival in Argentina. Mariem became a passionate editor for many other documentaries, music videos, and commercials. She was also the editor for the blockbuster film from rapper Daddy Yankee "Talento de Barrio". Her experience as an editor gave her a better understanding on the filmmaking business. She started directing and producing other projects until finally opening her own production company Calma Films with partner Carlitos Ruiz Ruiz. In 2007 Mariem debuted as co-director with Carlitos in their first feature film "Maldeamores" executive produced by Benicio Del Toro which won several international awards including Best First Film, Audience Award, Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress. She is now producer and director for a new documentary for American Masters PBS series on the life of Rita Moreno. Mariem is also the mother of Marcel Ruiz, actor of the Netflix series "One Day At A Time". She manages her time between her productions and being a stage mom for Marcel.