Roselyn Sánchez Wraps Directorial Debut ‘Diario, Mujer & Café’

We love to see Latinas in film, both in front of and behind the camera. In the past month, Camila Mendes has been cast to star in Masters of the Universe, while Jennifer Lopez is taking on the role of producer in the film adaptation of Happy Place. Most recently, Puerto Rican actress and singer Roselyn Sánchez (The Game Plan, Without a Trace) announced that she and her team wrapped up filming the feature film Diario, Mujer & Café, which she wrote and directed. She made her official directional debut in 2020 with her short film Satos, which she wrote, starred in, and filmed in San Juan. Diario, Mujer & Café will be her feature directorial debut and it centers on a group of friends reuniting for a life-changing trip through Puerto Rico, Deadline reported.

“After many years of contemplating the possibility of writing and directing my own movies to transition into another phase of my career, this film is the beginning of an amazing dream that has now come to fruition. I’m incredibly honored to have such a wonderful cast and crew joining me on this venture. To write and direct a love letter to my Island of PR through the lens of comedy brings me so much joy,” Sánchez shared in a statement.

“Grateful… that sums it all…,” she added in a post on Instagram. “Years trying to put this movie together. One day I should write a book about what it takes and took to accomplish this dream. Through it all my vision was clear… my discipline and belief was strong… doubting and walking away is not a part of my DNA. Cuando sé, sé… he dicho.”

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sánchez originally rose to international prominence in the pageant circuit, winning the Miss Puerto Rico Petite contest and later, the international title of Miss American Petite. Her first major role was as Isabella Molina in Rush Hour 2 alongside Jackie Chan. Since then, she’s appeared in many feature film and TV projects including Act of Valor, Fantasy Island, Devious Maids, and Without a Trace. She was most recently seen in the film Wallbanger, a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Alice Clayton.

Diario, Mujer & Café follows a group of best friends who call themselves the Tiki Tikis who “embark on an experience of a lifetime when they reunite for an action-packed girl’s trip throughout Puerto Rico.” Ultimately, their “friendship and strong female bond become a catalyst of growth and empathy,” becoming “the trip they didn’t know they needed,” according to the logline from Deadline. As part of the funding for the film, Sánchez received a grant from the Puerto Rican government through their American Rescue Plan Act, which sponsors eligible film projects and provides bonuses to local producers to increase film production on the island.

“I have an immense passion to produce and to direct, especially Latino content. I take it as a responsibility. I’ve been so lucky that it’s time to pay it forward, [especially] if I can do it in Puerto Rico and employ Puerto Ricans,” Sánchez said in a 2023 interview with the AV Club. “I understand more than ever that, as a Latina, if I want to be able to bring content that I’m passionate about, that I like, that I understand and that is very much needed, it’s very much my responsibility.”