Co-founded by Ralph Ramos and Kristoffer Bradley Cruz in 2012 at just twelve years old, Gooshlems was created to tell stories. The two founders initially set out to create YouTube videos, inspired by the popular Asian-American YouTubers at the time. Eventually, they made their first short film and fell in love with filmmaking.
In high school, they met other passionate filmmakers and actors: Ethan Zuchkan, Ryan Tocheri, and Marina Yap. Together, they have created multiple short films, YouTube videos, a stage play, and a podcast. Their work has been featured at the Asian American International Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and Reelworld Film Festival in Toronto.
They expanded into the United States in 2020 with the launch of Gooshlems Gaming. Managed by Daniel Garcia-Vega and Elias Barba, the two along with Kris and Marina host gaming related videos and Twitch livestreams. Their June 2021 charity livestream raised over $1000 for Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps persecuted LGBTQI+ people get to safety.
Gooshlems is comprised of a diverse group of members, a majority of which identify as LGBTQ+ and/or people of colour. Together through their work, they strive towards working with and supporting other 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC creatives.
GOOSHLEMS is a media collective based in Toronto that has a passion for creating and entertaining- all while having fun doing it.
What does “GOOSHLEMS” mean?
When they were younger, Kris and Ralph went by the screen names “Gooshna” and “Problem.” The name Gooshlems was a combination of the two!