Immigration is always a timely topic in America, but more so now, than ever. One timely documentary film taps into the voices who have followed the American dream and succeeded. Behind this film is Washington J. Calvache Durand, a producer and media specialist who made his name in the construction world before becoming a business entrepreneur, building his company, Built by Washington. Now, he has expanded into film production work, and has recently been honored with multiple awards for his work on the documentary, “A Greater Purpose.”
The film, directed by José Francisco Malavé and produced by Calvache Durand and Cisco Films, explores the immigrant experience through the lens of Hispanic entrepreneurs and their social impact. The film recently received awards from both the LA Film Awards and the Impact Doc Awards which recognizes films that are making a strong social and humanitarian impact.
Calvache Durand was both a producer and an onscreen subject for the project, as he is an immigrant himself who moved to the US as part of his own journey. “Working as both a producer and an actor on ‘A Greater Purpose’ was definitely a challenge, but also deeply rewarding,” Calvache Durand explained.
“From the production side, my responsibility was to help make the director’s vision possible—managing schedules, timelines, budgets, planning, and resources,” he adds. “That requires a lot of discipline, clarity, and structure.”
The demands of telling his own story onscreen for “A Greater Purpose” added a layer of complexity for the film producer. But the strict planning in the film’s production style allowed him to maintain his focus. “Being onscreen became an additional responsibility within that same structure because everything was well planned, I was able to step into the role as an actor without losing sight of the bigger picture.”
“A Greater Purpose” weaves together four separate narratives of Hispanic immigrants in Miami, highlighting their contributions to both the U.S. economy and society. Calvache Durand’s segment focuses on his personal journey arriving in the United States with “a suitcase full of dreams—and also fear.”
According to a recent report from The Center for Migration Studies of New York, roughly 21 million immigrants of Hispanic origin live in the U.S. And according to Pew Research Center, the majority of immigrants in America (52%) are born in Latin America.
The part of the documentary featuring Calvace Durand traces the producer’s path from working in the construction industry to founding Loyal Accessible Solutions, a social-impact initiative which is dedicated to providing ADA-compliant spaces for people living with disabilities.
“It isn’t just me and my story; the documentary tells four real stories of Hispanic immigrants who came to the United States with a greater purpose,” said Calvache Durand. “Together, the film presents a more honest and human perspective of immigrants; which is people who work hard, build businesses, serve their communities, and create meaningful impact, beyond financial success.”
The film has resonated with audiences at film festivals. But for Calvache Durand, the awards represent more than industry acclaim; it signals a shift in how immigrant stories are perceived.
“Winning international awards for ‘A Greater Purpose’ is incredibly motivating, but even moreso, it validates the message behind the film,” he said. “The impact lies in changing narratives, in humanizing immigrant stories, and in inspiring others to see purpose beyond obstacles. That’s what the film is all about.”
Calvache Durand’s career is defined by the intersection of business and purpose-driven storytelling. With over 15 years of experience in business development and media production, he founded the “Diamond Method,” a seven-stage business development framework which helps teach small and mid-sized businesses and entrepreneurs how to utilize storytelling as part of their business messaging. He is also the CEO of Loyal Construction. As an Executive Producer for several films, he uses the power of film to help champion socially-conscious documentaries such as “The Voices of Rett” and “The Weight of Bullying.”
He is currently serving as a judge for the 2025 Suncoast Emmy Awards in the Spanish-language categories, too. This is one way that Calvache Durand continues to advocate for impactful storytelling. He views his work through the lens of legacy rather than mere growth.
As he says: “For me, having a greater purpose means discovering your true heart. It’s understanding that your knowledge, your gifts, and your life experience can be used to help others and create real impact. True success is not just money or recognition—it’s knowing that what you do has meaning.”
