Our Origin Story

Hidalga’s vision is deeply personal for director & founder Gabriel Gaurano – an award-winning filmmaker, nonprofit board member, entrepreneur, former assistant educator, and family man.

Born as the youngest of seven kids and raised by a single mother, he learned firsthand the power and necessity of a strong, united household. And for a cinephile family, oftentimes it was movies that helped create this culture. Blockbusters like Indiana Jones and The Incredibles brought hope and heroism, while classics like Signs and Spiderman reinforced faith and values. But while movies played an important role in fueling his family, they also began his love for filmmaking.

After creating a slew of homemade action films, he discovered his voice by gradually bridging the gap between storytelling and the real world. His early projects such as Promise and DV-130 explored themes of siblinghood, male role models, and broken homes, earning awards at festivals like the LA Film Festival and the All-American High School Film Festival. His first short doc Akira, which profiled a transgender Navy Corpsman at the height of military trans restrictions, was showcased at the historic LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Ceremony. Later, his family-centered boxing film Team Meryland – an Oscar® contending documentary acquired by The New Yorker and PBS – cemented Gabe’s commitment to using film as a tool for change, with its wide-reaching educational, academy, and community campaigns.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he worked on award-winning documentaries about visionary food foragers and directed a first-of-its-kind virtual production senior thesis, Gabe developed his leadership skills. For two years, he became an assistant film teacher at his former public high school, instructing bright students on bringing their visions to life. Today, many of his former students attend the top art and film universities in the country, and, most importantly, are equipped with the tools to creatively realize their dreams. This experience deepened his love and abilities for understanding someone's vision, helping them crystallize it, and positioning people at their natural best.
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Returning to Los Angeles, Gabe expanded his film-business experience by working on branded content for leading production companies and businesses like Nike, Schlaudie, El Camino Health, Chevy, Zac Sweet Shop, and more. Through entrepreneurship, he developed the values of strategizing resources, professional collaboration, and contributing ideas that balance the interests of all parties. He found that his most impactful work occurred on projects like 5LA, MacArthur Foundation, or Measure HLA – which literally redesigned his neighborhood – solidifying his direction into blending filmmaking and entrepreneurship as a catalyst for empowering growth. Today, Gabe is working with several impactful organizations throughout Southern California. He's also a board member for a close-to-home nonprofit, the Jayden T. Gillespie Foundation.

Hidalga represents the culmination of Gabe’s values, strengths, and vision. By merging his love for family and community empowerment, love for art and filmmaking, and love for helping others fulfill their visions, he partners with leaders to create films and campaigns that inspire real-world action. 

His mission is to make empowering work that impacts families just as the movies of his childhood once did.