In Development
Body Shop
Magical Realism, Comedy
In an alternate reality where “body shops” replace hospitals, Lupe’s body suffers an accident that forces her into the loaner frame of a white Anglo woman. Desperate to expedite the repairs, Lupe ventures to a rumored black market to source skin that matches her true identity.
Credits
Writer-Director Maria Mealla
Producer Laura Fries
Accolades and recognitions
NALIP Media Accelerator 2024 Selection
PGA Create 2024 Selection
Tribeca-ATT Untold Stories 2023 Finalist
Sidewalk Narrative Labs 2022 Selection
Latest Update
While we continue to venture in search of partners to bring this story to life, I spent 2025 writing a concept short for it which we are aiming to film in 2026. The short script was accepted into the 2026 pitch video
Body Shop - concept short
Magical Realism, Comedy
In an alternate reality where “body shops” replace hospitals, a young mechanic discovers a wealthy client pressuring her boss to loan her a latina body for a night out. Appalled by the request and determined to stop it, she takes measures into her own hands.
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