“MARTINI THE MOVIE”, ROBERT’S SECOND OFFICIAL SHORT FILM, WRAPPED PRODUCTION IN THE FALL OF 2008.  THE FILM SCREENED AT 10 FILM FESTIVALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WINNING THE AWARD FOR “BEST COMEDIC SHORT FILM (MEN’S)” AT THE 2009 QCINEMA FILM FESTIVAL.  “MARTINI THE MOVIE” RECEIVED THE 2009 “QBLISS CREATING CHANGE COMMUNITY AWARD - OUTSTANDING SHORT FILM” .  THE FILM ALSO WON THE AUDIENCE AWARD FOR “BEST MUSICAL” AT THE 2012 OUT IN THE DESERT - TUCSON INTL LGBT FILM FESTIVAL.

FEBRUARY 2012 BROUGHT THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DVD RELEASE OF “MARTINI THE MOVIE AND OTHER LAUGHTER LIBATIONS”!  THE FILM FEATURES 4 OF CAMINA’S LAUGH-OUT-LOUD COMEDIES, INCLUDING “MARTINI THE MOVIE”, “HUNTER4LOVE”, “CELL$ CLERK” AND “DRIP TEASE”.  THE DVD FEATURES NEVER BEFORE SEEN BONUS FEATURES.

IN MARCH 2008, ROBERT WAS HONORED WITH THE “BEST LOCAL FILM DIRECTOR” AWARD, AS VOTED ON BY READERS OF THE DALLAS VOICE, THE LEADING GLBT PUBLICATION IN THE DALLAS/FORT WORTH METROPLEX!  HE RECEIVED THE AWARD AGAIN IN 2009 AND 2010.  HE IS THE ONLY DALLAS FILMMAKER TO WIN THIS AWARD THREE TIMES.

IN JUNE 2008, ROBERT RECEIVED THE “QBLISS CREATING CHANGE COMMUNITY AWARD - PRIDE IN CINEMA” IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE AS PART OF MID-SOUTH PRIDE. (pic to left)

IN JUNE 2009, ROBERT BEGAN PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON HIS FIRST FULL LENGTH FEATURE FILM, “RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE”, A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL POLICE RAID OF A FORT WORTH GAY BAR THAT SPARKED AN UNPRECEDENTED OUTCRY BY THE GAY COMMUNITY LEADING TO HISTORIC CHANGE. 

THE FILM, NARRATED BY MEREDITH BAXTER, OPENED TO RAVE REVIEWS AND A MEDIA FRENZY IN MARCH 2012.  SINCE THE PREMIERE, THE FILM HAS SCREENED AT MANY FILM FESTIVALS AND GARNERED A NUMBER OF AWARDS. 

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE FILM IS HELPING TO CREATE CHANGE.  ROBERT IS VERY PROUD OF THE IMPACT THE FILM HAS MADE IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THE FILM IS BEING USED TO turn an unfortunate event into far-reaching teachable opportunities. The film is strengthening grassroots organizations, engaging local communities and advancing social change. By partnering with government officials, schools and grassroots organizations across the country (including Fairness Fort Worth, Garden State Equality, Equality Utah, P.A.C.E and more), RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE is increasing the visibility of our community and is absolutely changing hearts and minds.  The lessons learned in Fort Worth are lessons for cities all across the country and world, not just in Texas.    The documentary is a testament to the dedication and hard worK of a community and government officials on city and state levels, to create an improved understanding, a more inclusive place to live, and a stronger community for all.

A HIGHLIGHT OF ROBERT’S CAREER WAS RECEIVING AN INVITATION TO THE WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA’S 2012 LGBT PRIDE MONTH RECEPTION AND GREETING THE PRESIDENT.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE MEETING U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER AND VALERIE JARRETT (SENIOR ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT OBAMA) IN MARCH 2012 AND RECEIVING AN INVITATION BY THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT TO SCREEN “RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE” to a delegation of 16 visitors from all over Europe participating in the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focusing on “Advocating for Human and Civil Rights for the LGBT Community”.

ROBERT WAS ALSO INCREDIBLY HONORED AND PROUD TO BE PERSONALLY INVITED BY THE NORTH TEXAS U.S. ATTORNEY, SARAH SALDANA, TO SCREEN “RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE” AT THE OFFICE’S 1ST EVER LGBT PRIDE MONTH DIVERSITY PROGRAM. (SEE BELOW)dana.  (Her letter of support is available on the film’s website)

“RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE” CONTINUES TO PLAY AT FILM FESTIVALS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IN JANUARY 2013, THE DALLAS VOICE NEWSPAPER NAMED ROBERT L. CAMINA ONE OF THE “NORTH TEXANS WHO HELPED DEFINE 2012” FOR HIS WORK WITH THE FILM.

ROBERT’S PROFILE ON IMDB

WRITER

ROBERT IS ALSO A FREELANCE WRITER, WHOSE WORK CAN BE FOUND IN QBLISS MAGAZINE AND ADVOCATE.COM.  HIS MOST RECENT EDITORIAL ON ADVOCATE.COM, WAS THE TOP STORY OF THE DAY AND HEADLINED THE DAILY EMAIL NEWSLETTER.

PUBLIC SPEAKER

In June 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office (N. District of Texas) invited robert to speak at their 1st ever LGBT Pride Month Diversity Program.   the presentation also included a highlights from the film.  The event was broadcast to their offices across North Texas, where staff learned about the raid and issues related to LGBT equality.    The camina and the film received glowing praise from U.S. Attorney Sarah Saldana.

IN OCTOBER 2012, At the invitation of the U.S. State Department, ROBERT ADDRESSED a delegation of 16 visitors from all over Europe participating in the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP): “Advocating for Human and Civil Rights for the LGBT Community”, AND SCREENED “RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE”.

ROBERT HAS ALSO BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK AT SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHERE HE HAS ADDRESSED THE ISSUES OF LGBT EQUALITY, LGBT HISTORY AND DISCUSSED THE FILM.

"Presenting himself in a quintessentially professional but approachable manner, [Camina] engaged our students and other audience members…If you have the chance to invite this filmmaker and his film to your institution, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so " -(Daniel Humphrey, Assistant Professor of Film Studies/Women’s and Gender Studies at Texas A&M University)

ETCETERA

IN 2010, ROBERT WORKED ON 2 SEASONS OF THE REALITY SHOW, “HOME MADE SIMPLE”, WHICH AIRED ON TLC (THE LEARNING CHANNEL).  IN 2009, HE WAS THE ASSOCIATE PRODUCER FOR A NEW REALITY SHOW’S SIZZLE REEL.

ROBERT ALSO APPEARED IN SEVERAL EPISODES OF THE 2010 FOX TV SERIES “THE GOOD GUYS”, WHICH STARRED COLIN HANKS AND BRADLEY WHITFORD.