Rafa edits films.

My name is Rafael Luis Rodolfo Ignacio Julian Villareal Fernando (yes, seriously).

But just call me “Rafa”

I am a professional video editor with more than 6 years of experience with award-winning film projects from all over the globe.

I am a storyteller who:

• Can quickly find the compelling narrative

• Knows how to showcase the lovely details in a story that make us human •

• Understands the value of communication and professionalism - no ghosting here

Check out my portfolio below:

Skip to Videos
  • La Cosecha (SXSW 2023 / PBS Frame of Mind)

    La Cosecha (SXSW 2023 / PBS Frame of Mind)

    I edited this documentary about a Guatemalan immigrant who is fighting for greater food access in Austin, Texas. This doc premiered at SXSW 2023 in the Texas Shorts Showcase.

    It also aired on PBS Frame of Mind on October 2023.

    https://filmlibrary.sxsw.com/film/la-cosecha/

    https://www.pbs.org/video/la-cosecha-trailer-afuipr/

  • UN Environment Programme: Communities unite to save high Andean forests, for water & climate

    UN Environment Programme: Communities unite to save high Andean forests, for water & climate

    I edited a short doc for the UN Environment Programme to highlight the work done by Accion Andina in protecting watersheds in the high Andes through native flora restoration.

  • Year of the Rabbit (Award-Winning Short Documentary)

    Year of the Rabbit (Award-Winning Short Documentary)

    I edited this human interest documentary piece for the South China Morning Post. It has garnered more than 100k views (Youtube and Facebook).

    I received a Best Editor award at the Tekka International Film Festival for this film.

    This film has won Best Documentary Film at the Southeast Asia x Seattle (SEAxSEA) Film and Literature Festival.

  • UN Environment Programme: How Central America is fighting drought with nature

    UN Environment Programme: How Central America is fighting drought with nature

    I edited a short film for the UN Environment Programme to highlight the work they’ve done to make farming in El Salvador more resilient to climate change. Narrated by Edward Norton.

  • Boca Chica (HSDFF 2023 / PBS Reel South)

    Boca Chica (HSDFF 2023 / PBS Reel South)

    I edited this documentary about the environmental impact of the SpaceX Starbase at Boca Chica beach. This doc premiered at the 2023 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and is part of the PBS Reel South documentary selection for 2023

  • Project Re:Form — Case Study

    Project Re:Form — Case Study

    I edited a case study documentary showcasing the success story of a long-overdue redesign of a US Government process. This film is part of the Civilla Practica continuing education curriculum for government workers.

  • Remember Love (Award-winning short public service film)

    Remember Love (Award-winning short public service film)

    I produced and edited a short public-service advocacy film for Ateneo De Manila and Miriam College, top universities and research institutions in the Philippines.

    This film received a Silver Telly Award in the Social Video category.

  • Tsaa Ni Bembol #LakasNiLeni

    Tsaa Ni Bembol #LakasNiLeni

    I edited four testimonial ad campaign videos for a Philippine political candidate. This video features Mr. Bembol Roco (Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, 1975).

  • "Little by Little" Educational Video Series Trailers

    "Little by Little" Educational Video Series Trailers

    I cut the promotional trailers (60s) for the Little by Little financial literacy series commissioned by the National Bank of Cambodia. This is the trailer for episode 1 of the series.

  • "Little by Little" Educational Web Series for National Bank of Cambodia - "Dreaming of the Future"

    "Little by Little" Educational Web Series for National Bank of Cambodia - "Dreaming of the Future"

    I post-produced and edited a 4-episode fiction web series commissioned by the National Bank of Cambodia to teach financial literacy to a Cambodian audience. This is episode 1 of the series.

  • Nuestras Historias: Rosalba Rolón

    Nuestras Historias: Rosalba Rolón

    I edited a three-part biographical documentary series featuring the leaders of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures. All three films were showcased at the National Latinx Summit in 2021. This video features Rosalba Rolón.

  • Kape Ni Nonie #LakasNiLeni

    Kape Ni Nonie #LakasNiLeni

    I edited four testimonial ad campaign videos for a Philippine political candidate. This video features Mr. Nonie Buencamino (Smaller and Smaller Circles, 2017).

  • "Little by Little" Educational Web Series for National Bank of Cambodia - "When We Were Kids"

    "Little by Little" Educational Web Series for National Bank of Cambodia - "When We Were Kids"

    I post-produced and edited a 4-episode fiction web series commissioned by the National Bank of Cambodia to teach financial literacy to a Cambodian audience. This is episode 3 of the series.

  • Nuestras Historias: Tomás Ybarra-Frausto

    Nuestras Historias: Tomás Ybarra-Frausto

    I edited a three-part biographical documentary series featuring the leaders of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures. All three films were showcased at the National Latinx Summit in 2021. This video features Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto.

    SYNOPSIS: This video features a little bit of the story of Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto, an independent scholar of Chicano art.

    MY ROLES: Offline Edit

    CLIENT: National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC)

    AGENCY: School of Slow Media / TÁPI Story

  • ECLT Malawi - Social Media Teaser

    ECLT Malawi - Social Media Teaser

    I edited a three-part promotional video series to highlight the efforts of the ECLT Foundation (Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco) in the countries of Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. This is the social media teaser for the Malawi video.

  • Nuestras Historias: María López De León

    Nuestras Historias: María López De León

    I edited a three-part biographical documentary series featuring the leaders of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures. All three films were showcased at the National Latinx Summit in 2021. This video features María López De León.

  • Yerba Mate Philippines - riodelaplata.ph

    Yerba Mate Philippines - riodelaplata.ph

    I shot and edited a short promotional piece for an online business that specializes in Argentinean import goods

  • Manos a la Obra Compilation Video

    Manos a la Obra Compilation Video

    I edited a crowdsourced promotional video to promote the NALAC National Latinx Summit.

  • ECLT Foundation Promotional Video Series - Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda

    ECLT Foundation Promotional Video Series - Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda

    I edited a three-part promotional video series to highlight the efforts of the ECLT Foundation (Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco) in the countries of Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda.

  • Phuong Quynh | VISA Innovation Center

    Phuong Quynh | VISA Innovation Center

    I edited a four-part series of biographical case study films focusing on average Vietnamese professionals and their financial habits. The video series was created as part of a study by the research arm of VISA.

  • Watershed Leaders Network | 2019 Promo Video

    Watershed Leaders Network | 2019 Promo Video

    I edited a film to promote the activities of an educational advocacy for farmers in the Mississipi river basin known as the Watershed Leaders Network.

  • The APEC App Challenge 2018

    The APEC App Challenge 2018

    I produced and edited (overnight) a film to share the highlights of 2018 edition of the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) App Challenge in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

  • Engelbert: King of the Garden | (not)BBC Backyard

    Engelbert: King of the Garden | (not)BBC Backyard

    Under the deep throes of pandemic boredom, I shot and edited a short spec documentary in the style of BBC Earth. The star is our pet tortoise, Engelbert.

LEt’s work together.

Currently open for editing work, especially in the science or natural history documentary genres.