Director Dr. jose-Luis Ruiz is a director with Artistic Vision, On-Budget Delivery, & Positive Set Leadership which has been developed with over 30 years of experience.

A family of three sitting at a restaurant table, smiling, with a man on the left, a young girl in the middle holding hands with a woman on the right.

Director Dr. Jose-Luis Ruiz

Dr. Ruiz combines 30 years of business and leadership expertise with a deep love for the arts. He is an author, professor, filmmaker, activist, and respected cosmetic dentist. Born in Mexico City, he immigrated to the U.S. as a young man to soon became a professor of cosmetic dentistry, writing the textbook on the subject used around the world. Also, a best-selling novelist and award-winning director. His latest feature release, The Dreamer Cinderella, opened in four states and boasts a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 9/10 rating on IMDb.

Dr. Ruiz is a passionate activist and over the last 25 years has been involved in forming and supporting multiple non-profit organizations to promote the dentistry profession amongst the Latino community. More recently, he founded the Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF) with the mission to change the false and distorted Mexican American narrative portrayed in most film and television.

Dr. Ruiz is the author of the textbook Supra-Gingival Minimally Invasive Dentistry, published by Wiley Blackwell, and is the author of many published and peer-reviewed research and clinical articles. He is one of the most respected and coveted speakers on cosmetic dentistry in the country and is a former course director at the University of Southern California (USC).

Dr. Jose-Luis Ruiz is happily married and loves to spend time with his cute, little daughter.

testimonials & Impact to the community

“He is a legend. He’s so nice. He’s always smiling, very patient, very kind. He knows what he’s doing. He’s great to work with. There are so many directors I wish were like that. He’s a wonderful director.”

- Tara Reid as said during an interview on the Ride to Independence Show

“That balance is rare. To lead with vision while still making a set feel safe, creative, and human is what ultimately allows authentic performances to happen. Dr. Ruiz understands that filmmaking is not just about controlling a story — it’s about creating the kind of atmosphere where the story can fully come alive.

And at the end of it all, he delivered on the promise he made from the very beginning — a truly great film."

- Anthony W. Preston

PORTFOLIO

Poster for the short film 'The First Cowboy,' featuring six characters dressed in historical cowboy and pioneer clothing, standing outdoors with trees and a carriage in the background, and text describing the film and its cast.

The First Cowboy (FILM)

Book cover titled 'Irreversible Damage' with illustration of a young woman with dark wavy hair wearing a black jacket over a white shirt, set against a light blue background.

Irreversible Damage (NOVEL)

Panel discussion at the Mexican-American Film & Television event, with eight people seated on stage, some holding microphones, in front of a large screen displaying the event's logo.

Festival Director (MAFTF)

Book cover titled 'The First Cowboy: The Collision of Two Great Cultures' showing four people in historical clothing standing outdoors with a covered wagon and a historic building in the background.

The First Cowboy (NOVEL)

Book cover titled 'Supra-Gingival Minimally Invasive Dentistry' by Jose-Luis Ruiz, featuring images of teeth and dental procedures.

Supra-Gingival Dentistry Textbook

A building with a red dome-shaped roof, circular windows, and a clock tower, surrounded by trees and clear blue sky.

Cosmetic Dentist

Logo of the Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation, featuring an eagle emblem above the foundation's name in black and blue text.

President of MACEF

A large conference or seminar with many attendees seated at round tables, watching a speaker presentation projected on a screen. The room is decorated with chandeliers and framed art on the walls.

Professor, Speaker, Lecturer