Our
Story
XQL media is named after the Aztec Goddess of the Arts, Xochiquetzal (XQL). We are a film production studio and a media company that produces feature films, documentaries, music videos and commercials.
We are invested in shining a light on some of the most important issues facing society through our feature documentaries. We hope that our insights on these topics help to frame and open up rich conversations, inspire creativity, bring new thinking and identify potential solutions. From helping communities to becoming more civically engaged to assisting and guiding youth to become leaders and trailblazers through the art of media we are committed to creating greater equity for all in our communities.
XQL Media specializes in documentaries, psychological thrillers, supernatural dramas and horror films as rich narratives that explore socio-cultural and contemporary themes.
We believe that stories are a bridge that connect all human beings and are dedicated to training the next generation of filmmakers.
OUR TEAM
Jack
Perez, Partner
Jack Perez has directed over a dozen feature films. His movies include the indie hits SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE (executive produced by John Landis), LA CUCARACHA (Winner Best Feature Austin Film Festival), and THE BIG EMPTY (Winner AFI Film Fest Best New Writer). He also directed the franchise-spawner, WILD THINGS 2 for Sony Columbia, wrote/directed the comedy, MONSTER ISLAND for MTV, and is the writer/director of the modern cult classic MEGA SHARK VS. GIANT OCTOPUS.
Soon after its release in 2009, MEGA SHARK VS. GIANT OCTOPUS became a pop culture phenomenon. The MEGA SHARK trailer was one of the top-10 most viewed trailers of 2009, racking up more views than AVATAR:
http://ew.com/article/2010/01/04/the-most-viewed-movie-trailers-of-2009-which-is-your-favorite/
The film was made for only $250,000, and has since grossed over $6 million worldwide through DVD and TV distribution. It singlehandedly turned its production company, The Asylum, into a profitable movie-making entity, securing long-term multiple deals with SyFy Channel. Moreover, Perez’s film spawned an entire new “giant-shark” genre, endless sequels and copycats, including the SHARKNADO series.
Perez’s television directing credits include the pilot for the hit series, XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS; episodes of HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS; the hit reality series TEMPTATION ISLAND and LAST COMIC STANDING; the made-for-television movies, UNAUTHORIZED: BRADY BUNCH, THE FINAL DAYS and THE MARY KAY LETOURNEAU STORY; and the SyFy Channel action-thrillers, BLAST VEGAS! & DRONE WARS.
On the web, he is the director/writer of the hit Adult Swim video game, POLAR BEAR PAYBACK; wrote and directed the hit web series, FEAR FORCE FIVE (80 million views); created and directed the animated film review show, TRAILER HITCH, as well as the popular director-on-director interview series, HOLLYWOOD TRENCHES. He is also the creator of the YouTube premium movie channel, CINEFIX, which has over 3 million subscribers.
Jose Yenque, Partner
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jose Yenque is thee son of Peruvian veteran stage and TV/Film actress Teresa Yenque. Jose Yenque has over a decade of experience as a professional actor and devoted humanitarian, which earned him an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from California State University San Marcos. Recently Yenque completed filming on the Netflix original comedy series “On My Block." In 2016, he produced, co-wrote and acted in an award-winning short film “In a Parallel World” a co-production with Arts for A Better Tomorrow. Arts for A Better Tomorrow, is a nonprofit organization he founded that helps underserved youth in Tijuana and LA.
Yenque’s performance as a compassionate Mexican border cop won him a “Best Supporting Actor” award at 2017 San Diego Film Awards. His film credits include: Academy Award winning "Traffic" opposite Benicio Del Toro and Mike Mills’ “Beginners” opposite Christopher Plummer, “All About The Money” opposite Eddie Griffith and Danny Trejo and “Puños Rosas” shot in Matamorros, Mexico and Brownville, Texas in 2005. Some TV credits: “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Law & Order SVU” and most recently in Netflix’s “Lucifer.” He has been recognized by numerous organizations within the entertainment industry, including SAG and the NCLR (Alma Award).
At the age of 14 years, Yenque’s life was turned around by the transformative power of art when his mother New York veteran actress Teresa Yenque (30 Rock, Law & Order) enrolled him in a drama workshop that helped him go from a shy, 230 lbs young man who stuttered, to a confident and gifted actor, at home on the stage and comfortable with himself.
Thanks to this life-changing experience, Yenque created Arts for a Better Tomorrow (ABT), a 501(c)3 non profit international arts organization that harnesses the transformational and healing powers of the theater and media arts, to effect real change and offer positive paths to the future for at-risk youth on both sides of the border. The program does more than just work with teens in Tijuana orphanages and US inner city public schools. He aims to continue inspiring others, particularly today’s youth, with his work both on and off screen.
Jose Yenque has been honored in recognition of his significant and ongoing dedication to giving back:
• 2014 Humanitarian Filmmaker Award – Highland Park Independent Film Festival • 2013 Certificate of Resolution from the City of Los Angeles / Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo • 2013 Named one of 25 Latino Leader of the Future LA in Latino Leaders Magazine
• 2013 Certificate of Recognition from Senator Ben Hueso (Chula Vista) of 40th Senate District for “Contribution and Leadership as founder of Arts for a Better Tomorrow, an international arts program for at-risk youth.”
• 2013 Honorary member Rotary International member special recognition by Tijuana Independence chapter
• 2012 Humanitarian Award - USA Ciudad de Mexico’s Mexican Film Festival of the Americas
• 2011 Community Commitment & Support award San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• 2011 Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts – California State University of San Marcos • Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors' 2010 Ilka Award for Humanitarianism • 2007 Ambassador of the Year - 11th International Hispanic Awards
