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Our Story

Being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of 2, founder Alex Astrella faced adversity from the jump. When his parents were told he would never succeed as an adult at this early age, Alex subsequently underwent 5 years of intense ABA therapy. It was during that time that Alex found his passion-by immersing himself in film after therapy appointments. This love of film carried on into adulthood, when Alex started to create his own work at University of California Santa Barbara. Upon realizing that his purpose on this earth was more than just making his own films, Alex merged his passion of film with his love of helping other neurodivergent folks. 

The inception of Blu Star Productions in 2022 cemented Alex’s commitment to creating an inclusive future in the entertainment industry. Since then, our growth has been immense and rapid. In the short time since our establishment, Blu Star Productions has affected countless lives through its work in the film and entertainment space. The most exciting part: this is just the beginning. We hope you join us as we pave the way for a bold new future of neurodiversity in the arts.

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What Sets Us Apart

  • We're the only company founded by an early diagnosed autistic individual with his own ABA background.
  • Our leadership includes two C-suite members with master's degrees in SPED who still work in SPED-related fields.
  • Because of our various backgrounds, we have extensive lists of contacts and knowledge across several domains.
  • We specialize in media production for documentaries, stories, animations, commercials, and music.
  • We’re not just a production company; we host seminars, film festivals, quarterly meetups, and more to come.

Who We've Worked With

PBS
Stanford University
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
Colin Farrell Foundation
uber
The New York Times
The San Diego Union-Tribune
EAGLES HUDDLE UP FOR AUTISM Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
autism speaks
easterseals
Zavikon
Forbes
salon
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
UCSB
AUTISM IN ENTERNAINMENT
The INDEPENDENT
DAN MARINO FOUNDATION
NEXT FOR AUTISM
THE MIRACLE LEAGUE

Media Gallery

A low-angle shot of The Frida Cinema marquee announcing the sold-out "First Annual Blu Star Film Festival."
Three panelists sit on chairs on a dimly lit stage, two holding microphones, in front of a large projection screen displaying a colorful illustrated poster for the "Bluestar Film Festival" at Frida Cinema.
A large group of young filmmakers sits and stands on a stage during a panel, with one person speaking into a microphone, in front of a projected "Bluestar Film Festival" poster.
Alex Astrella [Right] and two other panelists sit on folding chairs on a stage during a Q&A, two holding microphones, in front of a projection screen showing cartoon characters and sponsor logos.
Inside the Frida Cinema lobby during the Bluestar Film Festival, several people stand near a concession and registration area. A man in a dark suit leans over a table signing or organizing materials next to an easel displaying the festival's illustrated poster; nearby, a woman in bright pink leggings and a person in a gray shirt hold papers while conversing, and other attendees queue toward a doorway marked by an illuminated "BLU STAR FEST" marquee. The space is richly decorated: a sprawling mural along the upper wall depicts iconic film figures including Frida Kahlo, an alien with red eyes, and various actors, alongside a geometric "THE FRIDA CINEMA" logo. A vivid mosaic-style portrait of Frida Kahlo hangs below string lights, and promotional banners line the walls.
A smiling man with glasses chats with a woman wearing a pink flower headpiece in front of a Fusion Academy banner.
A group of six crew members pose with professional video cameras on tripods backstage, while two more people can be seen from the background.
A group of people enter in a theater lobby beneath a "BLU STAR FEST" sign, one holding a Coca-Cola cup and another carrying papers. Alex Astrella can be seen entering.
People stand in a dimly lit theater corridor beneath an illuminated "BLU STAR FEST" sign, one woman in a hoodie holding a red pen and a paper.
Inside the Frida Cinema lobby during the Bluestar Film Festival, numerous people walk and converse in a wide, open space. Natural light floods in through tall rectangular windows and glass entrance doors marked with an illuminated red EXIT sign. In the foreground on the right, a man in a red polo shirt sits looking at a film reel, while behind him a blue banner reads "EXPANDING EMPL[OYMENT] OF AUTISTIC TALE[NT IN THE] ENTERTAINMENT I[NDUSTRY]." Further back, a concession stand with a red counter sits beneath a massive mural depicting movie characters, including the alien from Fantastic Planet. Festive string lights hang along the arched alcoves, and attendees in casual clothing mill about, some holding papers and programs, creating a bustling, welcoming festival atmosphere.
At an Autism In Entertainment booth, a man with short dark hair, glasses, and a maroon polo shirt sits holding a printed paper fan decorated with cartoon characters. He looks toward a woman with long curly blonde hair, a bright pink flower accessory, and glasses, wearing a teal floral dress and a black belt standing beside him. She holds a stack of brochures and appears to be speaking with him. Behind them, a tall blue banner reads "EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OF AUTISTIC TALENT IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY" above a stylized film-camera logo. The wall is decorated with framed pop-art illustrations, including a figure in a pink dress and a character with colorful hair holding a gun. A table in front of them displays programs, stickers, and informational materials, including a poster for the "Blu Star Film Festival."
A crowd of attendees gathers in the Frida Cinema lobby under "BLU STAR FEST" and "MIROIRS NO 3" marquee signs, with string lights and colorful murals decorating the walls.
A bearded man smiles as he holds up a black XL T-shirt printed with the colorful "Bluestar Film Festival" poster, surrounded by a group of people at the event.
A Fusion Academy promotional table covered in a purple branded cloth displays brochures, buttons, and small signs at the Blu Star Film Festival.
Three people pose for a photo at an indoor event: Alex Astrella, a bearded man in a navy blazer and blue shirt on the left, his Mother with long blonde hair, red-framed glasses, and a purple scarf in the center, and his Father in a black blazer and blue shirt on the right. Behind them, festive string lights hang across a hallway decorated with posters and a sign reading "The Frida Cinema," with a smaller sign above a doorway that says "BLU STAR FEST."
Six people stand together for a group photo on the sidewalk outside the Frida Cinema, posing in front of a large black step-and-repeat banner printed with the repeating "BLU STAR" logo in white. From left to right: a woman in a white bucket hat and white graphic T-shirt makes a peace sign; a woman in a brown cap and tan T-shirt with a film-themed graphic smiles broadly; a tall woman in a purple long-sleeve shirt and glasses has her arm around the group; a man with a beard, glasses, and a plaid shirt over a black T-shirt holds a sign; a younger man in a black T-shirt with a "DIRECTOR" graphic and a beaded necklace flashes a peace sign; and two older men, one in a mustard sweater, the other in a light blue button-down shirt holding a program or card.
A crowd of attendees mingles in a festival lobby decorated with cartoon artwork and string lights, while two people in the foreground hold up "2026" film festival program guides.