We sat down with Alexander Cobian of The Film Dispatch to talk about soundtracks, storytelling, and social impact. The Film Dispatch is a San Diego/Tijuana-based collective bringing people together through indie films, DJs, and progressive conversations. Each event is designed to feel less like a screening, and more like an experience.
Track Club: Can you share the origin story of The Film Dispatch? What inspired you to start it?
Alexander Cobian: The Film Dispatch actually started as a bit of a joke in Spanish, we’d say “Somos un despacho,” meaning we were dispatchers of film, media, and photography. Whenever my buddy and I couldn’t make a gig, we’d send out one of our friends to handle it. Eventually, we all started calling each other “the dispatchers.”
As that creative network grew, we started looking at local activists and social groups around the San Diego Tijuana region. That’s when we realized: events and shared experiences are the most powerful way to build community.
The Film Dispatch naturally evolved from there, spawning sub-brands like Indie Cinema Nights, Cinema Under the Stars, and Who Killed Cinema? These events were designed to bring filmmakers and film lovers together to exchange ideas, have progressive conversations, and provide access to a larger network of film professionals in the region.
Track Club: When you're curating film lineups or programming events, how much does sound or music factor into your decision-making?
Alexander Cobian: One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is how the music we play between films really sets the tone for the entire event. Especially coming from a community with a lot of Latinos, our people love to dance and celebrate, films can sometimes feel like a bit of a slowdown. So we’ve been intentional about our programming to transport our audience into a different world each time they attend one of our gatherings.
The music has really brought life to these indie screening spaces. Once the film ends, the DJ starts playing, and there’s a progression of energy it becomes a whole experience.
On Instagram, all our posts are curated to match the type of music we plan to play at the event. If we want people dancing salsa or bachata, that same music runs through our visuals and stories. By the time guests arrive, they’re already familiar with the vibe.
Music has become just as important as the films themselves. The films offer a moment of escape while the music, a moment of celebration.
Track Club: How have you used the score or soundtrack to really elevate the story in your films?
Alexander Cobian: Lately, we’ve been exploring worldbuilding essentially creating a cinematic universe for The Film Dispatch. One way we’ve been doing that is through music, which we use to break the fourth wall.
For example, during scripted scenes where we’re in character, we use dramatic, orchestral compositions to heighten the cinematic feel. But when we shift to a direct call to action, inviting people to an event or speaking to the audience more plainly, we switch to more upbeat, modern music that feels more like an ad.
Music lets us tap into different levels of the audience’s consciousness. People naturally associate certain sounds with certain kinds of media. So when we want it to feel cinematic, we use cinematic music. When we want it to be more business-forward and clear, we use music that reflects that. In every case, the music mirrors the message we’re sending.
Track Club: What’s the feeling you hope people walk away with after attending a Dispatch event?
Alexander Cobian: That’s something we really prioritize as a group. Our crew isn’t made up solely of filmmakers; some are curators, developers, graphic designers, and a few even have their own communities where they create events and experiences.
As a collective, we realized that the emotional outcome we want to give people is inspiration along with the hope of gaining access to the film industry and connecting with practicing professionals who can help them reach their goals.
At the end of the day, inspiration is the feeling we want people to walk away with.
Track Club: What’s next for The Film Dispatch? Any upcoming events or big ideas you’re excited about? How do you hope to expand or evolve the community you’ve built?
Alexander Cobian: There are two things we’re always working on. First, we aim to connect with different members, brands, and companies in the industry, like Track Club, through the films we create.
Second, at our events, we’re always asking: What are these experiences giving back to? We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what an event can be. For example, at our next event on the 20th, all proceeds will go toward supporting the Coalition for Human Rights in the immigration movement in L.A.
It’s important to us to explore the intersection between film, activism, and social impact—and to find ways our work can give back to the community.
Explore The Film Dispatch events
Hear The Film Dispatch official Track Club playlist
