By Alisha Proffitt • Photos by Antonio Pantoja
Makeup Artist Matt Goodlett
It is my belief that we all at some point in our lives come across a fellow human being who stands out among the rest for their kindness and empathy towards others, Antonio Pantoja is one such being. You would be mistaken to perceive his kindness as weakness, it is in fact, his superpower.
Antonio has made quite a name for himself as an artist and creator over the years, he has won over 200 awards in video and photography and directed music videos for huge names like Jack Harlow, but it didn’t come without hardship. Born to a Peruvian immigrant father and a mother battlingsubstance abuse, Antonio faced adversity early on. By the age of 15, he was living in a car, having not made it past the8th grade. In 2022, he survived a near-fatal widowmakerheart attack, a life-altering experience that has only strengthened his resolve to live purposefully and continue creating meaningful work.
Antonio is a passionate advocate for the arts community in Louisville. His warmth, generosity, and commitment to giving back have earned him a solid reputation as one of the city’s kindest and most supportive creatives. From teaching free classes that draw hundreds of attendees to organizing projects that help struggling artists, Antonio is living proof that success and kindness CAN go hand in hand. “There’s one constant theme, in my life at least– every opportunity I’ve ever had in my whole life was just because I was kind to people. I treat everybody with kindness. That’s it,” he says.
When Antonio began offering free classes, he wasn’t sure if anyone would be interested. “I didn’t know if anyone would show up at all,” he admits. But to his surprise, each class attracted around 300 people, eager to learn from one ofthe best in the industry. In these classes he didn’t just discuss photography and filmmaking; they were also about empowering creatives and giving them the tools and confidence they needed to pursue their own creative dreams. Antonio’s humility and approachability have made him a beloved figure in the community, and have given him a reputation for being someone who genuinely wants to see others succeed.
In recent years, Antonio has lent his voice to public speaking.He’s shared his insights with audiences as the keynote speaker for Entrepreneur Connect and at the University of Kentucky, where he spoke to nearly 1,000 attendees. His words hit home with aspiring artists and entrepreneurs alike, giving inspiration and practical advice on navigating life and the creative industry. He also served as the commencement speaker for Walden High School’s graduating class, where his message left a lasting impression.
Antonio is also involved in direct action to support local artists through initiatives like the Free Headshots for Starving Artists project. Recognizing the financial barriers many artists face, where he offered professional headshots at no cost, giving them a crucial tool for advancing their careers.
Perhaps one of the most memorable examples of Antonio’s support of Louisville’s creative community came during a fundraiser he organized at River House. Five comedians roasted Antonio in front of a sold-out crowd, and the event raised funds for Fund for the Arts, a local organization that supports arts education and programming throughout the region.
Whether he’s giving back through free classes, public speaking, or charitable events, Antonio Pantoja approaches life with the belief that being kind, generous, and community-focused can have a real impact on the world around you.
“I think if you lived your life as if you only had 30 days left to live– and I thought that when I had these heart attacks, would you love people differently? Would you treat people differently? Would you treat people with more kindness? Would you get mad less? Would you follow your passion? The truth is, tomorrow is not promised to any of us and anything can happen at any moment and I think that we are pretty entitled on time.” Antonio says.
And he hasn’t been wasting any time on his creative endeavors. Antonio’s second film, currently set for production in 2025, will be a psychological thriller about a military combat medic who transitions into civilian life as a certified EMT paramedic. This follows his first film One Must Fall (2018), which he both wrote and directed, described by IMBd as “A horror-comedy slasher set in the 80s about a woman wrongfully fired from her office job and forced to take on a temporary job on a crime scene cleanup crew.” and is available to watch on most streaming platforms.
So, is Antonio Pantoja the nicest guy in Louisville? I think actions speak louder than words.
To see more of Antonio Pantoja’s work, visit his website www.antoniopantoja.com
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