Julio Cesar Valenzuela Gonzaga is a Peruvian-American filmmaker, writer, director and producer. He is the co-founder of Raspadilla Films, a production company focused on elevating diverse voices through narrative storytelling. He is best known for directing All Shadows (2020) and Bleeck (2024), independent films praised for their emotional depth and cultural nuance.

Valenzuela spent most of his formative years in Queens, New York, after immigrating to the United States at the age of six. Immersed in the vibrant musical and cultural fabric of New York City, he developed a strong foundation in music, performing in school and church ensembles. He pursued Music Composition at Temple University and The City College of New York, where his interest in narrative and sound design began to intersect.

After becoming a father, Valenzuela deepened his commitment to storytelling, integrating his background in music with a growing passion for filmmaking. He later partnered with cinematographer Adrián Treviño Durán to form Raspadilla Films to produce stories that reflect underrepresented perspectives in cinema.

Valenzuela's films often explore themes of identity, memory, and transformation, drawing from his upbringing and experiences in urban America. His growing body of work and curatorial involvement in various film festivals have positioned him as an emerging voice in contemporary independent film.