Xandra Yugto is a Filipino-American filmmaker and visual storyteller passionate about creating intentional work that bridges culture, community, and representation. With a BA in Filmmaking and a foundation in photography and digital media, she uses her lens to amplify underrepresented voices, particularly through documentary and narrative storytelling. From the moment she could walk, Xandra has been capturing the world through a camera. 

Her creative journey deepened after discovering Alice Wu’s The Half of It, which helped her recognize not only the storytelling power of the camera, but also her own voice as an artist being true to herself. Her work often explores the question, “Why do we feel the way we feel?”, leaning into themes of emotion, identity, and memory.

 Xandra is the writer, director, and executive producer of MAHAL, a personal short film inspired by her parents’ love story and rooted in the traditions and warmth of Filipino culture. The film explores themes of heritage and intergenerational memory. 

Beyond film, she has collaborated with arts organizations like the Seattle Art Museum, 5th Avenue Theatre, Ascendance Pole & Aerial Arts and Tasveer Film Festival. Whether through film, photography, dance, or song, Xandra is driven by a mission to tell stories that will be remembered for decades to come. 

Learn more about my current project: 

A married Filipino couple tells their young daughter how they fell in love in the Philippines in 2 versions, one action packed and spectacular, the other slow, sweet, yet honest.