ABOUT

Ralph Torrefranca is a Filipino American award-winning writer, director and musician based in Los Angeles.

With roots in the Bay Area, Santa Barbara, The Netherlands and even Germany; Filipino-American filmmaker Ralph Torrefranca has a unique upbringing under his belt when it comes to storytelling.

Most recently his short film "Fil-Am" had its World Premiere at Academy Qualifying Santa Barbara International Film Festival and is set to do its Bay Area premiere at CAAMFest 2026. Ralph was named “Best Director” at The IFS Film Festival for his work on the short "Champagne Social". His feature screenplay “RIFF” made the Top 20% of the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in 2021. Most recently the feature script for "Fil-Am" was selected by Goldhouse for their Goldpitch program at Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. "Fil-Am" was under consideration for the 2nd round of the Sundance Development Track.

Ralph is also an accomplished musician, most known as the lead singer/guitarist of the national touring post-punk band Cuffed Up (KEXP, KCRW) who were SXSW Official Artists in 2022 and 2024. He has directed numerous music videos for the band including lead singles “Finer Things”, “Bonnie” and “Mock Dance”.

With much of his childhood summers watching films at his local, Ralph was eventually given a Mini DV Sony Handycam and spent much of his early years filming DIY music videos and short films. Over the summer of his Sophomore year of High School, an intro to film class taught by Santa Barbara International Film Festival founder Roger Durling left a long lasting impression on 15 year old Ralph and subsequently his ongoing love for cinema.

With more than 19 years in the entertainment industry, Ralph has worked in Film, TV Production and Music.