Osvaldo Jimenez V

Osvaldo Jiménez Valverde, known as Valdo, is a Costa Rican writer, entrepreneur, and audiovisual producer dedicated to uncovering and elevating underrepresented cultural narratives. His journey began during his film and television studies in Costa Rica, when he presented his graduation project, RUIDO. This documentary explored how music, art, and skateboarding converge to form a vibrant youth culture—one in which young people traverse creative, unconventional spaces on their skateboards, expressing themselves and building community. RUIDO not only received acclaim but also revealed that even those immersed in this culture were unaware of its cohesive identity.
Motivated by this discovery, Valdo later developed the project M.A.P. Musica Arte & Patinetas to further document and celebrate this overlooked scene. Despite producing quality work and securing airtime on one of Costa Rica’s major cable channels—with the assistance of collaborator Randy Parker—the project struggled to gain a lasting platform. This experience underscored a harsh reality: local media in Costa Rica often undervalues authentic, grassroots creativity, favoring content that is curated by traditional elites and sustained by public funding.
An entrepreneur at heart, Valdo has consistently worked independently, whether through his skate brand and store or his numerous creative ventures. He has also expanded his vision into the audio realm with a podcast series now boasting nearly 170 episodes. Series such as Los Bastardos de Poveda, RPGP (Radio Pachuko Grandes Personajes), and Sopa de Letras provide vital platforms for local visual artists, musicians, writers, and poets—talents that rarely receive the exposure they deserve.
Through his innovative projects, Valdo aims not only to document a unique cultural movement but also to inspire young creatives to challenge conventional norms. Securing resources through this grant would enable him to elevate production quality and broaden the reach of these endeavors, showcasing the rich yet overlooked talent of Costa Rica.
"Between skateboarding stories, microphones, and narratives, I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with the right fauns who have helped me shape my creative journey."