My name is Marilyn Oliva, and I am a storyteller, educator, filmmaker, and creative strategist with an MFA in Documentary Media from Northwestern University and a BA in Anthropology with a minor in Latinx Studies from San Francisco State University. My work explores the intersections of culture, identity, community, and visual storytelling, drawing inspiration from my upbringing in San Francisco, my Salvadoran heritage, and my spiritual roots. As a documentary filmmaker, I have developed projects that engage themes of migration, ancestral reverence, Indigenous spirituality, and the histories of legacy cannabis communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I am currently a doctoral student in the Department of Communication at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). My research interests include cannabis studies, racial and platform capitalism, promotional cultures, and multimodal anthropology. I am particularly interested in the ways storytelling, visual culture, and digital platforms shape how communities represent themselves, build relationships, and create visibility.

In addition to my filmmaking and academic pursuits, I have worked with nonprofits, community organizations, agencies, and small businesses to develop digital programming, brand storytelling, and social media strategies. Through LIVA, my creative marketing boutique, I collaborate with entrepreneurs, artists, and organizations to translate their visions into compelling digital narratives, intentional content, and meaningful audience engagement. My approach combines creative direction, visual storytelling, and community-centered strategy to help brands communicate who they are, connect with their audiences, and grow their digital presence.

Through LIVA, I bring together my experience in documentary media, education, and creative strategy to bridge storytelling with marketing and transform ideas into impactful creative work.