"Hispanics have always been represented by Hollywood incorrectly, and it circled the globe. It is time for us to make a positive impact on our culture and correct that."
MAria Guerra-Stoll
By Darlyn Morales-Cifuentes
Maria Guerra-Stoll graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. After her studies, she founded GSB Architects + Interiors, which led her to become a key architect for Tyler Perry Studios. Working with an amazing visionary, Maria found her calling. “The experience of witnessing all that Tyler Perry accomplished was definitely my inspiration,” she reflects.
While she observed the success the Georgia film industry could bring, she quickly recognized the lack of Latino representation. During a visit to Rome, Georgia, for their film festival, Maria instantly fell in love with the community and the town’s natural beauty. There, she decided this would be PAM Studios’ first home.
Maria Guerra-Stoll
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
In the two years since founding PAM Studios, Maria and her team have worked hard to bring inspirational stories to Rome. PAM Studios collaborated with Nappy Roots on an award-winning short film. The studio has hosted numerous panels and screenings at the Rome International Film Festival to celebrate Latino filmmakers. Additionally, the studio has awarded scholarships to promising students aspiring to enter the industry. This year, Maria was recognized as one of Georgia Entertainment’s 200 Most Influential of Georgia’s Creative Industries. Most recently, she became the first Latina appointed to the Georgia Governor’s Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Advisory Commission. Maria refuses to stop here, she knows the fight continues to ensure that Latinos are accurately and thoroughly represented in the film industry. “Hispanics have always been represented by Hollywood incorrectly, and it circled the globe. It is time for us to make a positive impact on our culture and correct that. We are slowly getting there but we need more work and more opportunities to tell our stories through our lenses, behind and in front of the cameras,” she explained.
Maria Guerra-Stoll has now shifted her focus to her initiative, “Home Grown in Rome.” She partners with industry professionals and brings workshops to Rome to build local talent.
Given that productions, like Stranger Things, recognize Rome’s beauty and frequently return, Maria knows the town is capable of achieving great things. She is dedicated to bringing the industry to Rome and preparing the community for future success.
Pam Studios Set
“Our mission is to create change, positively, and to change stereotypes. Then, hopefully, we can see the industry spreading opportunities to everyone, embracing all the talent we have and including our stories in a positive way,” she stated. While Maria plans to expand the studio, she feels a strong calling to make a difference in this local community first, and she is dedicated to paving the way for Hispanics while inspiring and uplifting local creatives to share their stories.
