By: Ava Marie LaMonica, Senior Editor
Born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Anthony Quintana’s journey into filmmaking is one of passion and perseverance. Quintana’s love for movies began at an early age. His father, an avid movie lover, took him to the theater nearly every weekend. This consistent exposure to the magic of cinema sparked a deep fascination that would stay with him throughout his life. Despite this early passion, Quintana’s youth was largely dominated by sports. A gifted athlete, he excelled in basketball and football, dreaming of a professional career in sports.
However, a series of life-changing injuries during high school – including a dislocated wrist, fractured hip, broken hand, and torn ACL – forced Quintana to reconsider his future. During his recovery, his father gave him two transformative books: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks. These books led him to a pivotal realization: his true passion was filmmaking, “I kind of realized that I had a deep love for movies and wanted to make them when I was older. I ended up taking an acting class in high school and fell in love with it.”
Though his parents were initially reluctant to let him pursue acting professionally, he attended Arizona State University on a scholarship, eventually graduating early with a degree. But his dream of filmmaking was never far behind.
After college, Quintana worked as a sales consultant but kept his filmmaking dreams alive by funding his own projects. Through his production company, Infinite Imagination Productions, he wrote, produced, and acted in four films in 2024: Eschaton, The Gambit, Letters to You, and Letting Go. These films marked a significant milestone in his journey, as he had taken full creative control and made his mark on Arizona’s film scene.
Despite the challenges that come with filmmaking, Quintana believes strongly in the power of self-starting. “I wasn’t working as much as I wanted to as an actor, so I decided to create my own opportunities. You can’t wait for them to come to you – you have to make them happen,” he says. And that’s exactly what he’s done.
While many filmmakers flock to larger cities like Los Angeles or New York, Quintana is passionate about working in Arizona. “For larger budgets, the tax incentives in Arizona are a huge benefit,” he explains. “But the state also has a unique energy. The talent here is incredible, and people are hungry for work.” Arizona offers a variety of affordable locations to shoot, from deserts to urban landscapes, and there’s no shortage of skilled crew members, making it an ideal hub for both independent and larger-scale productions.
Institutions like Arizona State University (ASU) and Scottsdale Community College (SCC) are paving the way for the next generation of filmmakers, providing programs and resources that help fuel the state’s creative industry.
Filmmaking in Arizona doesn’t just benefit filmmakers—it positively impacts the economy as well. Local businesses, such as restaurants and venues, see financial boosts from catering services, location rentals, and other production-related needs. Filmmaking also generates jobs, from crew members to post-production specialists, creating a ripple effect throughout the state.
Moreover, Quintana believes that film has the power to shed light on important social issues, like homelessness and inequality. By filming in various Arizona communities, filmmakers can not only tell compelling stories but also inspire change and raise awareness. “Filmmaking can truly inspire the community, whether it’s by showcasing a local story or encouraging others to chase their dreams,” he says.
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Quintana offers straightforward advice: “Make your own opportunities.” In a world where waiting for the perfect break can feel like a never-ending cycle, he encourages young filmmakers to take control of their careers. “The more mistakes you make and the more you just find work or create work the closer you are to really just being the best filmmaker you want to be. That dream of filmmaking isn’t just going to fall in your lap nicely, you have to go get it.”
