HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — ¡Hola, Paisano! — a new short documentary spotlighting the story of Mexican American bakery owners Hugo Hernández and Berenice Rodriguez—will premiere on December 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Court Square Theater. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

According to a release, the documentary follows Hugo and his wife Berenice as they build a life, a family, and a business through baking. The film traces their beginnings, introduces audiences to their family, and places their experiences within the broader context of today’s national conversations surrounding immigration. 

Through the eyes of two small business owners and their families, the film humanizes the immigrant experience in the U.S. today. The audience will see food portrayed as more than sustenance—it’s a language of identity, memory, connection, and home.

The documentary runs approximately 20 minutes and will screen with English and Spanish subtitles.

Following the screening, guests are invited to stay for a panel discussion hosted by community organizer, Boris Ozuna, followed by cake in honor of El Paisano’s seven-year bakery anniversary. Afterward, attendees can continue the celebration down the street at Broad Porch Coffee’s Latin Dance Night, happening until 11 PM. 

Mexican American bakery owners Hugo Hernández and Berenice Rodriguez. Photo credit: Jess Daddio.

Production Team

Jess Daddio: Co-Director/Director of Photography

Jess Daddio is a Virginia-based freelance filmmaker,writer, and great-granddaughter of Italian immigrants. She produced and filmed select scenes of the Patagonia-backed 2023 short documentary ‘Monte,’ and has bylines with Patagonia, REI’s Uncommon Path, Insider, and Freehub Magazine. Her work gravitates towards stories that reflect the full spectrum of the human experience. 

Mariana Martinez: Co-Director

Mariana Martinez loves food and loves people. Originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, her life journey has molded a passion for stories from the Latin American diaspora. She is a lifelong peacebuilder and learner, advocating for narratives often left out of the limelight. Mariana makes her directorial debut with ¡Hola, paisano!. Now living in Harrisonburg, Virginia, she spends her time writing questions in her journal and trying out new recipes in her kitchen.

Sarah Golibart Gorman: Producer 

Sarah Golibart Gorman is a food writer and storyteller based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with roots on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. You can find her work in The Bitter Southerner, Garden & Gun, C-VILLE Weekly, The Harrisonburg Citizen, JMU’s Madison Magazine, and Edible Blue Ridge where she was named a 2024 Best of Edible Award finalist. She also develops recipes and stars in cooking videos for Shenandoah Valley Orchards. ¡Hola, Paisano! marks her documentary debut as producer. 

For more information, visit ¡Hola, paisano! – Court Square Theater.