A Man on the Mov(i)e
By Rich Henrich
Entrepreneur, storyteller, husband, father, brother, son, and one celluloid super fan, are just a few identifiers of this man. Christian Sesma, born and raised in Palm Springs, was the recent recipient of the inaugural Hillery Vision Award presented at AMFM Fest this past November. The award recognized an individual with vision for a future yet to be built with the entrepreneurial spirit and drive to achieve great dreams. In a nutshell, this is Christian Sesma, except with a heap of child-like chocolate on the outside. This is one man the Coachella Valley will honor as a Man of the Year with all rights and passages of wisdom and stature. Here’s a look at who he is in his own words and a few of ours. Thank you for being a beacon for the dreamers!
Who you are?
Christian Sesma, born and raised in Palm Springs, California. Brought up in the restaurant business, my family has owned and operated Guacamoles restaurant for the past 25 years in town. Graduated from College of the Desert and went off to San Diego State University where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Moving back to the desert in 2003 to franchise out the family business, I was hospitalized with a ruptured appendix and on my 21st day stay, I read Robert Rodriguez’s “Rebel Without a Crew” book, along with his 10-minute film school behind the scenes film features. That inspired me to make a short film, having done creative writing as a hobby throughout college. And in 2004, I had my very first short film in the Palm Springs Short Film Festival, leading me down the path towards the now successful and blossoming career as an up and coming genre filmmaker in Hollywood.
What makes you tick?
My family, my movies and my friends…I love spending time with my two girls, Athena (14) and Isabel (7) along with my wife Lilly. But of course being able to make movies and live the dream as I aspire to climb the “Hollywood ladder” towards my long-term goals. Hanging with our close group of friends…watching movies, TV shows, going out, enjoying life etc…
How you got to where you are?
Busting my ass!!! And with the help of a really good group of mentors and colleagues, LOL. I’m a completely self-taught writer and director. I made my first couple short films and first few feature length films that led to bigger films, garnering Industry attention which led to what has now been the snowball into the indie action genre arena.
What are you working on now?
I completed THE NIGHTCREW last year, along with AWOL-72 and VIGILANTE DIARIES….all different films in the action genre and all of them set to come out in 2015. 
I am currently getting ready to start my next action movie called THE WETLANDS which is set to shoot in Vegas in May. Then shooting a big action western in the fall.
What are your personal hobbies?
Movies. LOL.
