Blanca Estela Estrada Ortega
If there are posters in Ciudad Insurgentes inviting people to the cinema, workshops, or to collect old tools, chances are Blanca Estela Estrada designed them. With her artistic, creative flair and commitment to the community, Blanca has become a significant figure in the La Toba International Film Festival.
“Mostly, I do the designs and pass them on to the festival group. They upload them to social media, and here in town we spread the word among students, family members and acquaintances,” she says. However, her work extends beyond the digital realm.
Last year, she and her team organized the exhibition titled “Los Fierros Viejos Que Nos Dieron Patria” (“The Old Iron That Gave Us a Homeland”), which featured antique objects donated by local residents. “We collected quite a few,” she says with a smile.
Today, Blanca and the community members are collaborating on the logo design for a new local museum. They are seeking items like ironing boards, barbecues, old tractors, and anything else that tells stories about rural life and the home. The goal is to establish a permanent exhibit for the museum, but for now, they will utilize the premises of the former 2000 shop.
“We want to create a museum with soul and history, showcasing items that are part of everyone’s lives. If anyone would like to donate or lend something, they are more than welcome!” says Blanca, inviting people to the third La Toba Film Festival, which will take place from September 30 to October 4, 2025. Everything tells stories—even pieces of iron.
