Alfredo De Villa And Robert Teitel Launch Luchadores Productions
June 4, 2025
Luchadores Productions, a certified 100% diversity-led and owned full-service creative production studio, co-founded by veteran Director/Executive Producer Alfredo De Villa and Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer Robert Teitel, announces its official launch. With a mission to craft premium, human-centric content, Luchadores Productions partners with brands and agencies to deliver compelling narratives.
What separates Luchadores from the pack is its roster of distinguished roster of celebrity directors that includes John Leguizamo, Jay Hernandez, Phil Bertelsen, and company Co-Founder Alfredo De Villa. Tim Donahue will serve as the studio’s Head of Post Production.
“At Luchadores, we believe in the power of authentic storytelling that resonates across cultures,” De Villa says. “Our team brings decades of experience and a commitment to innovation, ensuring that every project we undertake reflects the richness of the human experience.”
The studio boasts collaborations with major brands such as Microsoft, Amazon, Bud Light, Netflix, Paramount, Wells Fargo, and Meta, showcasing their ability to produce culturally relevant work that fosters authentic connections with audiences.
The collaboration between Alfredo and Robert began in 2008 on the feature “Nothing Like The Holidays,” starring Luis Guzmán, John Leguizamo, Debra Messing, and Alfred Molina, which beautifully captured Teitel’s vibrant Puerto Rican family. As a producer with over 30 years in the industry, Teitel’s impressive resume includes hits like “Bob Marley: One Love,” “The Hate U Give,” and classics like “Soul Food” and the “Barbershop” franchise. His deep understanding of music, culture, and community brings authenticity to everything he touches.
With Luchadores, Teitel and Alfredo aim to reshape the Latino commercial landscape. Their combined skills and vision are aimed at expanding media representation and telling powerful stories that resonate with audiences.
Diverse And Talented Directing Roster:
The Luchadores directing roster features three singular talents:
• Alfredo De Villa: A Native of Mexico, De Villa has lived in the United States for over 20 years and began his career with graduation with a degree in film from Columbia University. His first film, “Washington Heights,” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and was purchased and distributed by Lionsgate. His third film, “Adrift in Manhattan,” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the Dramatic Competition. Alfredo has also directed hundreds of spots for brands, including Microsoft, Amazon, Chevrolet, Budweiser, Carolina Herrera, The Los Angeles Times, Oracle, Harley-Davidson, and The Chicago Tribune. He has also taught commercial directing at Sundance Institute.
• John Leguizamo: The acclaimed actor, film producer, and director, Leguizamo has appeared in more than 100 films (perhaps best known for “Carlito’s Way,” “Romeo+Jullet,” “John Wick” and as Sid the Sloth in the “Ice Age” animated film franchise), as well as produced more than 20 films and documentaries, and made more than 30 television appearances. He directed and starred in the feature film “Critical Thinking.” He has also written and performed for the Broadway stage, receiving four Tony Award nominations for Freak in 1998, Sexaholix in 2002, and Latin History for Morons in 2018. He received a Special Tony Award in 2018. This year, Leguizamo’s Broadway play, “Buena Vista Social Club,” which he produced, received 10 Tony nominations.
• Jay Hernandez: The actor-turned-director is perhaps best known for his work in films like “Crazy/Beautiful,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Bad Moms,” “Suicide Squad,” and the TV reboot of “Magnum P.I.,” which ran on CBS from 2018 until 2024. Hernandez also directed episodes of the show, and recently finished his feature film directing debut on the upcoming “Night Comes.”
• Phil Bertelsen: An Emmy and Peabody award-winning filmmaker known for his work in both scripted and unscripted film and TV, Bertelsen produced and directed the 2020 six-part series “Who Killed Malcolm X” for Netflix, as well as “Hope and Fury,” which aired in primetime on the NBC network and MSNBC. His most recent work includes: “The Picture Taker,” the PBS Peabody-nominated documentary feature that had a limited theatrical release, and “Seen & Heard,” an upcoming HBO limited documentary series that premiered this year at SXSW.
Luchadores Productions operates on three foundational pillars:
1. Collaboration: Breaking barriers through inclusive partnerships.
2. Global Reach: Creating content that speaks to audiences worldwide.
3. Multi-Channel Impact: Delivering versatile assets tailored for today’s diverse media landscape.
“Our goal is to amplify underrepresented voices and bring their stories to the forefront,” added Executive Producer Robert Teitel. “By leveraging our team’s backgrounds and experiences, we’re redefining what it means to create impactful content in today’s world.”
