Lou “Din” Pastrana, is an award-winning director and producer freelancing in the Metro-Detroit area. For the past five years, they have worked on a multitude of cultural films and projects with a focus on local advocacy work and creating for the people - not for capital.
Din received their Bachelor’s in Film and a minor in New Media from Wayne State University and began their journey to tell narratives about the human condition. As a humanitarian and activist at heart, they take up the struggles of their Filipino, LGBTQ+, and other communities to create social change.
Some of their favorite works include: “This Land”, a Detroit mini-series about housing justice, “Everhand”, an award-winning short film about an one-armed farmer at the 2025 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, and “Asian American Lives in Michigan”, a documentary presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center's National Education Program.
Today, they center their efforts as a production coordinator and assistant director for films needing that thoughtful touch. As a seasoned production assistant in the Michigan film industry, they are well aquainted with our blue collar creatives working in the commercial, documentary, and feature scenes.
Quick fun fact they’ve met Eminem twice and in their free time they love to go bouldering and playing tennis.
“No history, no self. Know history, know self.” - Jose Rizal
“No history, no self. Know history, know self.”
- Jose Rizal
- Jose Rizal