He Moved to Mobile to Be a Ballet Dancer. Now He’s the City’s Best Local Filmmaker.

Israel Rodriguez moved to Mobile in 2018 to work as a ballet dancer, and as with much of his life before that point, dancing became the vehicle that eventually let him pursue his true passion: filmmaking.

In 2026, Rodriguez was named Best Local Filmmaker in the Reader’s Choice Awards, recognition for work he says has roots that go back much further than his dance career. “Filmmaking is a passion that I have had since I was 9 years old,” Rodriguez said. “That was the first thing I wanted to do, even before I became a ballet dancer, which is my main role.”

Rodriguez is married to Katia Garza, who was separately recognized this year as the Reader’s Choice Awards’ Best Arts Educator for her Mobile Ballet-connected teaching career.