Ricardo Vázquez Tavera (Mexico City, May 21, 1985) is a Mexican film director, screenwriter, musician, educator, editor, and film producer. He has directed the feature films Niños Asesinos, El Triunfo de Vivir, Vidas Violentas, The Juniors y la Fórmula Imperial, and Halcones. He studied Communication Sciences with a specialization in Film at Universidad del Valle de México.
He has directed more than 30 short films and has been a major promoter of short filmmaking through the campaign "Basta No Violencia" (Enough Violence). He worked as a production assistant, content coordinator, and entertainment coordinator in various departments at Televisa México, the National Actors Association (ANDA), Teatro Coyoacán Enrique Lizalde, and as an audiovisual producer for several companies, including Zara.
He studied acting at Argos Casa Azul beginning in August 2001, where he was part of the special group, and worked professionally as an actor from 2001 to 2011. After directing several short films, he made his feature film debut with Niños Asesinos. In 2020, Niños Asesinos became the second most-watched Mexican film on YouTube, according to the yearbook of the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE). By 2025, his films surpassed 50 million views across digital platforms.
His early television work includes programs such as Hoy on Televisa and Teletón, for which he produced capsules and content. In cinema, he has directed numerous short films, medium-length films, and feature films, including México Bravo—the final work of actress María Luisa Alcalá—Escuela para Enamorarse, Cascarita de Plátano, and short films for the "Basta No Violencia" campaign.
In 2015, he signed a contract with the Government of Mexico to lead and direct the campaign and to distribute films and short films in 14 countries. That same year, under the production of SEGOB México, the film Vidas Violentas was released in collaboration with other renowned directors. The campaign has since become a benchmark in film education for schools and universities, having reached more than 2,000 public and private schools and integrating educational cinema into new generations.
Tavera has created and directed television series for Channel 34 of Televisión Mexiquense and Mexicanal, such as Mocosos Latosos and Guanabis. He is the co-founder of the film production company, distribution company, artist training center, and media creator Glat Entertainment, alongside Armando Tavera. In 2011, he created the International Short Film Microcinema Festival and the Cine Magno Festival, which recognizes the best of international short and feature films.
He is the twin brother of writer and producer Armando Tavera. In his music career, he is currently a producer and a member of the Mexican Society of Authors and Composers (SACM).
All of his film productions are currently available on major international streaming platforms such as Prime Video, VIX (TelevisaUnivision), Tubi (Fox Corporation), Pluto TV, Apple TV, Retina Latina, Roku, NuestroCineMX, Canela TV, among others. He is currently considered one of the most representative, recognized, and award-winning film directors in Latin America.
