Painting it Foward
Painting it Foward
Directed by Starr Fuentes
What does it mean to care for a city? For Patrick, it means restoring New York City’s forgotten fire call boxes—one box, one coat of paint, and one act of kindness at a time.
Screening in: Keeping It New York: Stories of Preservation, Place and the People Who Care
Creator Statement
I first noticed Patrick while walking down a New York City street and seeing him painting a historic fire call box. I stopped to ask him what he was doing, and that simple conversation stayed with me. The more I learned about him, the more I realized his work was about much more than restoring old boxes. He takes pride in where he lives. I hope people watching this film see that caring for New York City belongs to all of us. You don’t have to be from here, and you don’t have to do something big. Sometimes, all it takes is noticing something that could be better, stepping up, and doing your part.
Filmmaker Bio
Based in Brooklyn, Starr Fuentes is a storyteller, interviewer, and digital content creator with a passion for bringing meaningful stories to life. Her love of storytelling began early, when she would create pretend news reports and interview friends on camera. That childhood curiosity eventually led her to Five Towns College, where she earned a degree in Mass Communications and Broadcasting.
Today, she specializes in interviewing, relationship-building, and digital content distribution, telling stories that inform, inspire, and connect audiences. Whether behind the camera, in front of it, or in the editing room, she is drawn to human-interest stories, local communities, and the people who make a place special.
Through her work, she hopes to shine a light on the everyday people doing extraordinary things!
Cast & Crew
Director: Starr Fuentes
Creator: Starr Fuentes
Writer: Starr Fuentes
Producer: Starr Fuentes
Principal Cast: Patrick "Sweet P"
