what is six eye films?

Founded by two journalists, Six Eye Films makes documentaries exploring critical issues in Florida, with a keen interest in telling stories about the American South and how its past seeks to reckon with a new future.

Why Six Eye?

Is it a nod to nearsightedness—José with glasses, Max without? Maybe.

Does it come from the way we see the world through our lenses as cinematographers? That too.

Or is it our audience that completes the picture—the most important set of eyes?

Plus, something uncanny: our first project took us to Belle Glade, Florida—where Their Eyes Were Watching God unfolds. During a reading of Zora Neale Hurston’s work at her historic gravesite, we heard a passage describing three characters witnessing the approaching 1928 hurricane:

"Six eyes were questioning God."

It spoke to us—because that’s what we do. We ask the hard questions. We turn our cameras toward power—whether in the sky, the halls of government, or the streets and fields where people fight to be seen.

We’re drawn to the defining struggles of our time—labor, the environment, climate, immigration, politics, and where these forces collide. Florida feels like the frontline, and we believe our stories can add something urgent, something true.

Eyes forward—here’s to what’s next.

—José & Max

our Team

Co-Founder
José Jesús Zaragoza was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, to a family of migrant farmworkers. He began his journalism career writing for a bilingual newspaper covering the U.S.-Mexico border. After moving to Florida, he worked as a writer and photojournalist, eventually becoming the publisher of three newspapers serving communities near the Everglades.
José is the co-founder of Subtropic Film Fest, which showcases independent filmmakers in South Florida, and serves on the advisory board of Stet News, advising on video reporting and governance.
You can follow him on Instagram @transompitcher

Co-Founder
Growing up in Florida, Max Maldonado developed a deep fascination with the state’s complex history, politics, and relationship with nature.
Max is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.
Max has contributed to investigative projects for FRONTLINE and ProPublica and was a reporter for Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting on their Peabody-nominated COVID Tracking Project miniseries.
You can follow him on Instagram @max_take_photoand on Twitter @max_write_story