Director Biography - Joshua J Santiago

Writer/Director Joshua J Santiago was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania. He gained a love for the arts while joining the Performing Arts Group while at William Penn Senior High School. Before graduating with a bachelors degree in Mass Communications at York College of Pennsylvania, Joshua started filmmaking with 4 Hip Hop DVDs in which all 4 were nominated for Best Hip Hop Documentary at the Central PA Hip Hop Awards. He has also directed documentaries that were screened for the “Gift of Life Foundation” to places like the “Susan Byrnes Health Center.” “Anything4U;” is Joshua’s directorial short film debut and he plans to make other projects that tackle tough situations to speak about.

Director Statement

I chose to write and direct this film, Anything4U;, to show the importance of men of color to get the help we need when it comes to our mental health. The main character in the film, Damon, seems to have anxiety about losing his job and not being able to provide for his wife and daughter, so instead of seeking professional help he turns to drugs. Too often I hear the stigma of how we all go through problems and no one cares so we have to deal with them on our own. I decided to create this film to show people how it could be if we keep the mind state of dealing with these issues alone, we could end up just like Damon. Also, the semi colon at the end of the title Anything4U is on purpose to bring awareness to mental health.