Alaric Rocha is a filmmaker and educator whose work explores the intersection of horror, science fiction, and cultural identity. His films often emphasize practical effects and a tactile, handmade aesthetic inspired by directors such as Terry Gilliam, Michel Gondry, and Tobe Hooper.
Rocha’s short films have premiered internationally at festivals including Sitges, Chicago International, Mórbido, and Dances With Films. His first feature, Where Is Juan Moctezuma? , will have its world premiere at FrightFest in London in August 2025. He is currently developing multiple projects—both features and short-form serials—that blend genre storytelling with social commentary, including 1000 Paths of Death, and Revenge .
He earned his MFA in Film & Media Arts from DePaul University and has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, and the Los Angeles Film School. His courses have covered directing, screenwriting, film history, editing, and production. At Ithaca College, Rocha teaches Cinema Production and is excited to follow in the footsteps of The Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, who once held a faculty post at the college.
Half Mexican and raised in the Midwest, Rocha’s work often reflects his exploration of heritage, identity, and folklore alongside his lifelong love of genre cinema.
More can be found on his website, www.bluebassoonpictures.com
and on his feature: www.whereisjuanmovie.com