Rogelio “Roy” Almeida was deep into post-production on his feature film, “Yveete,” when a friend told him about a promising film program in Oklahoma City.
He was studying journalism at another college, reading every film book he could get his hands on, but something still didn’t feel right. Then Almeida heard about Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) and discovered a place where he could thrive and eventually inspire the next generation of filmmakers.
“That moment changed everything,” Almeida said. “I knew I needed to be in an environment where I could finish my film and learn from professionals. OCCC turned out to be the perfect place.”
He enrolled and quickly immersed himself in the Digital Cinema Production (DCP) program. Almeida found exactly what he’d been missing: mentorship, structure, and a creative community.
“I was so excited just to get my hands on the gear,” he said. “Going into the editing bays, connecting with classmates who loved film like I did. It felt like I belonged there.”
It didn’t take long for the faculty to recognize his potential. Greg Mellott, OCCC professor of digital cinema production, and the late Gray Fredrickson, the Oscar-winning producer who helped create OCCC’s program, were instrumental in Almeida’s growth.
“Artists create art that they hope will come to have a life of its own,” said Mellott. “Teaching is an art, and students are that art that comes to life. That’s Roy. He’s a unique and powerful force of nature in Oklahoma cinema — and the only student who has ever come into our program having directed a full feature-length film.”
After graduating from OCCC in 2009, Almeida co-founded the Oklahoma Cine Latino Film Festival in 2014, followed by the OKCine Latino Film Institute in 2017. Each year, he helps new students through hands-on workshops. Many of them end up enrolling at OCCC.
“I don’t think I would have been able to start the festival or the institute without coming through this program,” Almeida said. “It prepared me to become a professional and an instructor.”
Returning to OCCC now as a mentor feels like a full-circle moment for Almeida. He sees his students walking the same halls, using state-of-the-art equipment, and building the same community that helped launch his own journey.
This year, Almeida received a congressional award recognizing more than a decade of leadership and influence across Oklahoma’s film industry.
“Watching Roy go from student to mentor has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career,” said Mellott. “He’s building the kind of community-driven film culture we always hoped to inspire here.”
Roy Almeida’s journey is proof that OCCC students are made for more — and in his case, made for legacy.
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