As a Filmmaker, Comedian, and Multi-Hyphenate Creator:

Karla Espino is an award-winning Puerto Rican writer, director, and comedian with additional experience as a 1st AD, video editor, and photographer. As a member of the Alliance of Women Directors she was accepted into the 2025 Mentor Latina Directors Fellowship and recently premiered her pilot, The Funkee Sketch Show, at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival, which she wrote, directed, edited, and starred in. Her pilot was nominated for Best Web Series and was also accepted into the 2025 Laugh After Dark Comedy Festival. As a live event producer, Karla curates and hosts monthly shows, like her Funkee Universe Variety Show, that is focused on creating spaces of inclusion, diversity, and experimentation for performers across the arts.

She has been recognized by Women in Film LA and the 48-Hour Film Project as Woman Filmmaker of the Year, and has placed as a finalist in festivals such as the Toronto International Women Film Festival and Austin Comedy Film Festival. Her feature-length script “Keeping It Together” has placed as a Semifinalist in the LA International Screenplay Awards and Quarterfinalist in the LA International Screen Play Awards – Diversity Initiative.