The food truck revolution, which started as a grassroots movement for struggling chefs and working-class families, is now a billion-dollar industry. Parades of trucks offering endless...
Read MoreBACKSTREET BACKSTORY
A raw and intimate portrait of race, labor, and class in modern-day America, Backstreet to the American Dream humanizes Latino immigrants and immerses viewers in the world of blue-collar entrepreneurs selling street food in the heart of Los Angeles. Championed by Jarritos and Executive Producer Dolores Huerta, a Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, this award-winning documentary is set at the peak of the $2 billion global food truck boom. The 90-minute journey moves beyond culinary fads and cuts deep into the gritty layers of L.A.’s less-glamorous neighborhoods. What emerges is a sobering reality check: a bilingual portrait of bootstrapping self-starters with limited options, for whom survival is anything but trendy.
Timely and unflinching, this bilingual slice of contemporary Americana delivers an urgent call to action: recognize the humanity of those who keep America running, and the fragility of democracy in the struggle for labor rights, dignity, and equal opportunity. This cinematic exposé has screened at 14 film festivals, including Dances With Films, Newport Beach, Sonoma, San Antonio, GuadaLAjara, Workers Unite–NYC, and Ethnografilm Paris; 18 universities and cultural centers across the U.S., and has won 18 awards/commendations.
SOCIAL IMPACT CAMPAIGN
CINEMA. CULTURA. COMUNIDAD. – A CULTURAL INTERVENTION TO A POLITICAL CRISIS:
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, Cinema. Cultura. Comunidad. took over the historic Gardena Cinema for a daylong indoor/outdoor cultural showcase using art, activism, and community to confront today’s political and social crises. Cheech Marin donated to our raffle and auction, and L.A. County District 2 Supervisor Holly Mitchell invested in this vision with a grant to expand access.
POLICY · CIVIC ENGAGEMENT · COALITIONS · SOCIAL IMPACT:
- Mobilized 200+ Latina filmmakers, community partners, agencies, and attendees for CCC, a daylong activation
- Elevated immigrant-centered narratives during Hispanic Heritage Month with county-level grant award and support
- Screenings rooted in dialogue around race, labor, class, public policy and community
- Fireside chat with NASA astronaut José Hernández and Public Counsel’s Gina Amato to challenge harmful Latino Hollywood portrayals
- Partnerships = Jarritos, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Gardena Cinema, L.A. Co. Sup. Holly Mitchell
- Raised funds for Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project
- L.A. City Mayor Karen Bass and U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters issued special certificates of recognition, and a portion of all proceeds benefited Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project.
AWARDS | COMMENDATIONS
2025
Special Commendations – U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (District 43, CA)
Backstreet to the American Dream & Cinema. Cultura. Comunidad.
- “…for creating a film and cultural festival, and in recognition of your talent and integrity as a filmmaker and journalist whose work humanizes the perception of immigrants…”
Certificate of Recognition – City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
Backstreet to the American Dream
- “I extend appreciation for her dedication to telling the stories of the workers and families that demonstrate the strength, resilience, and entrepreneurship that continue to shape the City of Angeles.”
2024
Special Commendations:
Former U.S. Secretary of Labor/L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis (Dist. 1)
- “We recognize the film’s accomplishment of delving into how street food fosters inclusion, while exploring the deep connection between food, culture, and community.”
L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath (Dist. 3)
- “We applaud Patricia for the illustrious response she has received for this film…”
L.A. City Councilwoman Mónica Rodriguez (Dist. 7)
- “Thank you for documenting the hard work and sacrifices of immigrants as
they chase the American Dream.”
Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival
Intangible Heritage Documentary
2022
Highland Park Independent Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary
2022
Highland Park Independent Film Festival
Humanitarian Award
2022
Culver City Film Festival
Best Director Documentary Feature
2022
San Antonio Film Festival
Best Food Film
2022
San Antonio Film Festival
Audience Award Best Documentary Feature
2022
Ruben Salazar National Journalism Award
National Award Digital Media
2021
Riverside International Film Festival
Jury Award Best Animation Short
2021
Independent Shorts Awards
Jury Award Best Animated Short
2021
United Workers Film Festival
Special Jury Prize
2021
2012 United States Congress: The Congressional Award
- U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sánchez, CA Dist. 46
- U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, CA Dist. 38
2012 La Asociación Latina de Asistencia & Partners – Leaders Blazing Trails Award
- “Dedication to the Betterment of our Communities”
News & Press
10.28.2025 – Mex-American/Latino Lens Live
12.20.2023 – Democracy Center TV
10.06.2022 – NBC4/CA Live
09.23.2022 – Kens5 (NBC San Antonio)
09.22.2022 – The Mesquite News
08.02.2022 – Kens5 (NBC San Antonio)
07.29.2022 – La Prensa Texas
07.31.2022 – San Antonio Reporter
08.05.2022 – Fronteras (Texas Public Radio)
03.24.2022 – SonomaTV
03.19.2022 – Fandor Festival Podcast
12.04.2021 – CCNMA: Ruben Salazar Nat. Journ. Award
11.02.2021 – Latina.com
10.17.2021 – Newport Beach Independent Newspaper
10.10.2021 – KTTV-TV: In-Depth
10.07.2021 – WPIX Morning Show
08.27.2021 – Mexican Consulate in LA
08.23.2021 – LA Daily News
08.18.2021 – En Casa con La Plaza
Newport Beach Independent
Food trucks have become a fixture of the culinary arts. Many people walk just steps outside their office building to find their lunch at one of...
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Fox 11: In-Depth with Hal Eisner
The documentary highlights the role of food trucks from the traditional “lonchera” to the explosion of food trucks as mobile gourmet restaurants. Nazario says that the social...
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WPIX 11 Morning News
WPIX 11 News is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the work of a Latina film director who is sinking her teeth into the food truck...
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Mexican Consulate en Los Ángeles
Snack & Chat con la directora y periodista Patricia Nazario y presentación del documental, Backstreet to the American Dream. Read more >
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LA Daily News
In 2010, Patricia Nazario was a journalist at KPCC radio when she was sent out on a news story that would change the direction of her...
Read More“To think that Backstreet to the American Dream is just a ‘foodie film’ would be a huge disservice to what is an authentically, multi-flavored, and well-crafted vision of the American Dream told from two polar perspectives within the food truck revolution.”
– Cedric Smith, Programmer •
San Antonio Film Festival
Press Inquiries
From Our Fans
“It really gave me a lot of insight into how these folks feed us in a number of ways.”
– Clifford Lo, Esq., Los Angeles
“The story made me feel hopeful, grateful, and to keep reaching for the American Dream”
– Karla Henry, Los Angeles, CA
“The film has a good pace. My favorite part was how the animation covered the history and origin of street food!”
– Cathy May, Los Angeles, CA
“I felt invested in Doña Guille, owner/operator of El Pescadito, and felt connected to her story.”
– Sara Pacheco, Los Angeles, CA
“So many great aspects to it. Very well done!”
– Rebecca Liliana Gomez, Los Angeles, CA
“Good production value! It shows how something ethnic and created out of
necessity is taken hostage by marketing and commercialism.”
– Ivan Cordiero, Los Angeles, CA
“It is unique and interesting! No one else has educated us about this.”
– Elena McCalla, Los Angeles, CA
