Official Selections: 1st - 6th Latinx Film Festivals
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film
Saborrrr!
Los Angeles Premiere
Short
A struggling AfroLatinX actor lands a highly-paid, heavily exploitive ad role, only to realize too late the true cost of her performance.
Director: Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz
Producers: Bryson Alejandro, Zach Johnson, Kelsie Elena & Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz
Writer: Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz & Zach Johnson
Cast: Kelsie Elena, Roberto Sanchez, Allie-Rae Treharne, Charla Bocchicchio, Daniel Graulau & Ash Santos
Cinematographer: Oscar Ignacio Jimenez
Editor: Joe Murphy
Instagram: @saborrrrmovie
Somos
Los Angeles Premiere
Somos shares the story of Estibel, a 10 year-old migrant child inside one of the largest child detention centers in the United States, who is awakened to the realities many young children are facing today, under the supervision of ICE. This film is about elevating the voices of children, caged against their will, and shedding light onto the injustices and inhumane conditions faced by many in detention.
Director: Alan Manzo
Producer: Genie Deez
Writer: Alan Manzo
Cast: Ian Iñigo, Luis Bordonado, Gilberto Aguilera, Stephanie Chloe Hepner
Cinematographer: Matthew Halla
Editor: Chris Heiman & Alan Manzo
Silicon Beach Film Festival Official Selection, Prague International Film Awards, Red Movie Awards Finalist
Website: manzoproductions.com
Instagram: @alanmanzo
Twitter: @productions648
Facebook: facebook.com/alanmanzo
Su Promesa (Her Vow)
USA Premiere
Set in Guatemala, a young girl falls victim to her strict, traditional culture, deceived into a future as a child bride. But, as soon as she discovers an unlikely friend, a new danger erupts.
Director: Rafael Soto
Producer: Matthew D. Stevens, Justin Scott Lawrence, Rafael Soto, Jacklyn Michelle Braun
Writer: Rafael Soto
Cast: Ixchel Valiente, Mario Barra, Christina Alba, Diana Dorempz, Armando Romero
Cinematographer: Gideon Watson
Editor: Garry Chacon
Instagram: @supromesamovie
Facebook: facebook.com/Su-Promesa-780498672331403
Saving Salvador
West Coast Premiere
Upon being denied a death certificate for their recently deceased father due to a country-wide shortage, sisters Eve, Bonnie and Aimee go forth with a less-than-common plan to get their father out of the hospital and avoid laying him to rest in a community grave.
Loosely based on true events, Salvando A Salvador is a dark comedy about sisterhood and familial devotion that brings attention to a years long issue within the Mexican public health sector. With the assistance of playful, 2D animated sequences and a vibrant original score, it showcases Mexican folklore in an unprecedented scenery and embodies festive attitudes towards death within Mexican culture.
Director: Luisa Maria González
Producer: Andre Joshua Fernández
Writer: Luisa Maria González
Cast: June Griffin Garcia, Elizabeth (Beth) Piña, Kim Carlson
Cinematographer: Benjamin Root
Editor: Case Conner, Hope Wager
Best Comedy Nominee, Best Ensemble Cast Nominee, 2021 Orlando Film Festival
Best Short Film, 2021 Equal Footing Film Festival / HA Comedy Festival
Best Picture Winner, 2021 BronzeLens Film Festival
3rd Prize Winner, 2021 NALIP Media Summit
Official Selections:
2022 LA Latinx Film Festival,
2021 Los Angeles Student Film Festival
2021 Austin After Dark Film Festival,
2022 Austin Revolution Film Festival
2022 Santa Fe Film Festival
2021 South Texas International Film Festival
2021 Official Latino Film and Arts Festival
Ralph Clemente Student Short Award Nominee
2021 El Paso Film Festival
2021 Festival de Cine Latino Americano
2021 Katra Latinx Film Festival / New Faces New Voices
2021 El Paso Plaza Classic Film Festival
2021 LA Shorts International Film Festival
2021 XincanIndie Film Fest
Instagram: @salvando_a_salvador/
Facebook: facebook.com/salvando.a.salvador
Sol
West Coast Premiere
Set in 2042 the world is ravaged by climate change and a mother races to teach her daughter the emergency preparedness that comes with each disaster after experiencing a tragic loss.
Director: Andy Alvarez
Producer: Mike Johnston, Kate McCallum, Martin Calvo
Writer: Martin Calvo & Andy Alvarez
Cast: Rukiya Bernard, Aria Birch, David Kaye, Mark Krysko, Veronica Bretton
Cinematographer: Diana Parry
Editor: Hayley Sawatzky & Andy Alvarez
The film was a part of the Crazy 8s film competition, so it was shot and edited in 8 consecutive days.
Website: andycalvarez.com/solshort
Instagram: @studio104entertainment @andy.c.alvarez
Facebook: fb.com/studio104entertainment
SONRISA
Short
A hospice intern must protect her elderly patient after a menacing phone caller comes for a visit.
Director: William Angel
Producers: William Angel & Emily Byron
Writer: William Angel
Cast: Mariana Carvajal, Elena Rojas, and Jennifer Gill
Cinematographer: Khashi Tahamtan
EditorWilliam Angel
This horror short has been awarded by The L.A. Horror Fest and Zedd Film Festival
Instagram: Williamangelfilms
Twitter: Williamangelll
Stalled
Los Angeles Premiere
Short
An estranged father teaches his daughter how to drive stick shift while rediscovering their relationship.
Director: Enrique Cruz Torres
Producer: John Swick
Writer: Enrique Cruz Torres
Cast: Joseline Mendoza, Guillermo Portillo
Cinematographer: Andy Bui
Editor: Keziah Anderson
Website: enriquecruztorres.com/stalled
Instagram: @enriquecruz.t/
Sweet Potatoes
1951, Mexico City. After synthesizing the main component of the contraceptive pill, young scientist Luis Miramontes deals with the religious and personal consequences of his groundbreaking invention. Based on real-life events, and funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Sweet Potatoes is the Winner at the 2020 Student Academy Awards and is an Official Selection at the Oscar Qualifying Film Festivals LA Shorts International and HollyShorts.
Director: Rommel Villa Barriga
Producer: Andrea Porras & Damon Laguna
Writer: Rommel Villa Barriga
Cast: Jorge Adrian Espindola, Azucena Acevedo, Daniel Pinte
Cinematographer: Luke Sargent
Editor: Rommel Villa & Sebastian Silva.
Website: rommelvillafilms.com/sweet-potatoes
Instagram: @sweetpotatoesfilm
Director's Social Media: IG: @rommelvb, FB: @rommelvb, Twitter: @rommelviba
Say You Will
Following his release from the juvenile hall at fourteen, Jeovany "Jeo" Salgado finds out he is subject to a gang injunction - a secretive law enforcement tool that will follow him for the rest of his life. Fast forward to fourteen years later, his mother and youngest brother unveil Jeo's chronicle and how their three lives were shaped by the enduring abuse of the criminal justice system in America.
Director: Mariel Sosa
Producer: Mariel Sosa & Marily Cueva
Writer: Mariel Sosa
Cast: Maria Carrasco, Jeo Salgado, Jonny Salgado, Sean Garcia-Leys.
Cinematographer: Andres Solorzano
Editor: Mauricio Salzar
The film received an award as Best Documentary Short at the Los Angeles International Film Festival and appeared at the LA Times as part of the selected films for the 2020 Los Angeles Latin International Film Festival.
Director's Instagram: @riosozzza
Director’s Facebook: @marielsosa1996
Director’s Twitter: @marielsosa96
Siblings
Short Short Film
Stuck at home during a rainy day, the oldest of two siblings provokes an argument that makes her face the circumstances of her own upbringing.
Director: Kenet Garcia Rojas
Storyboard Artist: Kenet Garcia Rojas
Lead BG Painter: Ke Ma, Nicole Renski
Visual Development: Ke Ma, Nicole Renski, Miriam Presas, Rachel Kim, Kim Kobashigawa, Janet Y. Lin, Yuja Lee.
Animation: Kenet Garcia Rojas, Joey Quoc Tran, Kristen De Vera, Emil Lundmark, Lillian Zou, Melanie Kwon, Lydia Seo, Kellin Sproul.
Edition and Compositing: Kenet Garcia Rojas
Film Score: Shmuel Myers
Sound Engineer: Victoria Martinez
Producer: Art Center College of Design
Website: www.kenetgrm.com Instagram: @kenet.bear
Twitter: @KenetBear
Sin Reino (Without A Kingdom)
USA Premiere
A bittersweet modern fairytale through the eyes of a young child, recounting the fleeting moments with her father, where not all is as it seems
As Founders of Crimson Edge, growing up as children of immigrants, we've witnessed our parents' struggles and sacrifices too well. We've seen their difficulties in adapting to American culture and working twice as hard to prove their worth compared to families with the natural born advantage.
Witnessing the current times with the disarray of our country; children being separated from their parents, locked in cages, being put into trial at a young age, DREAMERS having their protection threatened — we wanted to bring light to this issue in a way that could resonate with the next generation to carry on the torch and continue the fight.
Director: Kenzo Le
Producer: Sandra Ordiano
Writer: Gabriela Ortega
Cast: Cynthia Ordiano, Victor Ordiano, Gabriela Ortega
Cinematographer: Kenzo Le
Editor: Kenzo Le & Sandra Ordiano
Website: crimsonedgecreative.com/sinreino
Instagram: @crimsonedgecreative, @sandra.ordiano, @kenzo.dp, @gabrielaortega5
Sombras
A journey across the desert leaves two individuals with hopes and dreams but with a tough decision to make.
Directed, Produced, Written and Animated by Marc "GIVE.ME.MÁS" Sánchez
Music Composed by Edgar Martínez
Sombras is a UCLA Animation Workshop 2021 Second Year Film. It has won Best Animated Short at the Los Angeles Film Festival StorytelLA and at the DOC LA. Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival. It has won best overall short film at the Georgia Latino International Film Festival 2021 and at the San Luis Film Festival 2021.
Website: https://lemon-orca-3x48.squarespace.com/
Instagram: @bigpavvo and @give.me.mas
Stand Up!
LA Premiere
After more than three decades of “Mural de La Raza” being a central fabric of San José’s Eastside, the mural was unlawfyully removed without notice to the artist or members of the public who took interest in its preservation prior to the removal. The “Mural de La Raza” depicted the history and culture of precolumbian lore, the Mexican Revolution, the Chicano Movement, local figures, as well as the very youth who assisted in painting the mural.
Director/Producer/Writer: Daniel Osorio
Cast: Fabian Rayas, Adrian Mendez
Cinematographer/Editor: John Reyna
Winner - Best Rap song (California Music Video Awards), Official Selection (Official Latino Short Film Festival), E.A.S.T. (Empowering All Streets Together) screening Mexican Heritage Plaza
Instagram: @eastsideheromovie
Suono
A violinist struggles after losing his hearing in an accident, making him discover a new relationship with music and life.
Director: Laurd Milian
Producer: Laurd Milian
Writer: Laurd Milian
Cast: Laurd Milian, Miguel Angel Ponce, Grettel Perez
Cinematographer: Laurd Milian
Editor: Laurd Milian
Best Inspirational Short Film - Imagine Rain Independent Film Awards 2021
Best Original Story - Imagine Rain Independent Film Awards 2021
Best Inspirational Short Film - Paris Film Festival 2021
Best Student Short - Dreamachine International Film Festival 2021
Best Sound & Music - LA FEEDBACK Film Festival 2021
Best International Student Short Film - FotoFilm International Short Film Festival 2021
Best Experimental Short Film - Fort Smith International Film Festival 2021
Honorable Mention: Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival, Honorable Mention: Kiez Berlin Film Festival
Finalist:
Emerging Artists Film Festival
Tokyo International Short Film Festival
Golden Short Film Festival,
Luleå International Film Festival
Auber International Film Festival
Instagram: @laurd_milian