LUCHA AND THE EKEKO
THE FILM
The only kid in border detention who wants to be deported!
This Latina-flavored, road movie brings together an unlikely pair—a fading pop diva and the toughest kid in border detention—in what turns out to be foster-parenting hell. But that’s just the beginning of their adventure-filled journey.
ROGER EDWARDS, JR.
PRODUCER BIO
Roger is a former electrical engineer who traded circuit boards for storyboards—and never looked back. Now an award-winning screenwriter, he’s celebrated for heartfelt, character-driven stories that tackle big social issues with a signature mix of sharp wit and emotional depth. His work has been recognized by the ABC/Disney Talent Development Program, Filmmatic, and PBS, earning him a reputation as both a fearless storyteller and a crowd-pleaser.
His latest project, “LUCHA and the EKEKO,” reflects not only his love for Latinx culture but also his personal response to the U.S. family separations crisis. Whether he’s making audiences laugh, cry, or both in the same scene, Roger brings heart, humor, and humanity to every script—crafting stories that don’t just entertain, but inspire and spark change.
PRODUCER STATEMENT
Family Separations in America:
A Crisis Still Unfolding
LUCHA and the EKEKO is a powerful piece made to spread and amplify awareness of America’s broken immigration system and the value we place on human dignity.
2018: 5,000+ children separated from their parents under Trump’s “Zero Tolerance” policy.
2019: A DHS report reveals the truth: Family separations were 8x higher than originally reported.
2023: The Atlantic reports: Nearly 1,000 children still remain separated from their parents.
2025: History threatens to repeat: A second Trump presidency proposes the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history—risking mass family separations all over again.
This project is my “drop in the bucket” to amplify awareness of this important issue.
AWARENESS
THE MISSION
Keeping Families Together
In solidarity with advocates for immigrant justice, “LUCHA and the EKEKO” interweaves themes of immigration, motherhood and redemption into an upbeat, heartwarming, Latina-flavored, road comedy on the surface, while underneath raising awareness of how the “largest deportation campaign in U.S. history” is devastating immigrant families and children.
The commercial success of this project can extend awareness (of the many families that have not yet been reunited) beyond the Latinx community, inspire conversation, and keep up pressure on lawmakers to advance immigrant justice.
In addition, the story sheds a heartwarming light on and helps strengthen positive narratives around foster care and adoption—thereby helping build public support.
