Short Films
Program 1 – “First Shot”
Join us for a collection of short films made by the brightest and upcoming filmmakers.
Ixch’umil
Guatemala / 2020 / 13 min / Drama / Houston Premiere
Synopsis
Ixch’umil is a 10-year-old girl who goes on a trip with her mother from Guatemala City to her hometown where they visit her grandmother who is sick. Ixch’umil is about to discover the connection of her cultural roots through the teachings of her grandmother.
About the Director
Miguel Angel Ajcot has worked in production, film, and television for more than 11 years. Currently, he works as Technical Coordinator at Universidad Francisco Marroquín’s Film School. He wrote and directed his first short film that tells the story of a uspanteka family, from which he originated.
Zulen and I
Zulen y Yo
Peru / 2021 / 19 min / Drama / U.S. Premiere
Synopsis
The story of the romance that scandalized the conservative, classist, and racist Peruvian society at the beginning of the 20th century between Dora Mayer, a German pioneer in the fight for indigenous rights and women’s rights, with the philosopher Pedro Zulen, a mestizo of Chinese origin.
About the Director
Michelle Alexander Figueroa studied Communication Sciences at the University of Lima. She is the founder of Del Barrio Producciones, where she has produced and directed at least 35 miniseries, television soap operas, and commercials for both open-signal and cable media. In 2020 she co-wrote and directed her first short film, called “ Zulen y yo”, about the torrid romance between the pioneer for women’s and indigenous rights, Dora Mayer, and the philosopher Pedro Zulen. At the moment, she is working on the future feature film that will be based on the story of Dora Mayer.
Each Other
Vernos
Argentina / 2021 / Drama / 9 min / Texas Premiere
Synopsis
A man, a woman, a love relationship and a crystal.
About the Director
Martín Donozo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and studied film at the CIC. He works as an advertising film director. His short film ¨Un Fotografo¨ (2010), received several awards at festivals. ¨Vernos¨ is his second short film.
Mti
Chile / 2021 / Social Drama / 19 min / Texas Premiere
Synopsis
Mti, an Haitian immigrant, after years of saving money during his stay in Chile decides to return with his wife and daughter to Haiti. However, his plans will be truncated by the unexpected theft of his money.
About the Director
Mauricio Corco Espinoza, Director and screenwriter, he studied Film at the University of Valparaíso. He wrote the fiction short film AL MARGEN (2011) (20′) presented in Cinélatino, Rencontres de Toulouse. REO (2017) His first short film as director and screenwriter premiered at the 39th edition of the International Festival of Clermont – Ferrand (2017), his second short film YUN premiered at the 30th edition of the International Festival de Curtas Metragens de São Paulo (2019) recently acquired by HBO MAX, while his third short film MTI (2021) has been recognized in more than 12 international festivals.
Road to Delicias
Camino a Delicias
Mexico / 2021 / Thriller / 12 min / Texas Premiere
Synopsis
In the middle of the Mexican revolution, Santiago has orders to assassinate an enemy soldier along with his entire family. Hermilda, a 12-year-old girl flees with her younger brother from the massacre that struck their home. Two stories linked by the violent narrative of a country in which time seems to stay still.
About the Director
JL Ruiz is a Tijuana, Mexico local, he studied in Mexico, Canada and Cuba, and loves to tell stories. He has directed and/or produced a few short films, usually with interesting results. He has a hard time talking about himself but can talk about films and T.V. for hours. He wants to keep making films.
The Eyes of Erebus
Los Ojos de Érebo
Spain / 2021 / Drama / 16 min / U.S. Premiere
Synopsis
An 81-year-old lady, Aurora, has had her power shut off due to non-payment. Every night, darkness wakes her up trying to attack her only companion: her parakeet.
About the Director
Javier Barbero Montes – I was born in 1991. From a very young age I became interested in writing. At the age of 12 I was selected to represent my school in a literary competition. I won the award for best project of the year with Fútbol 112, my first short film while studying cinema. In 2016 I created my production company, Fourminds Films, in which I work directing ads for brands such as Mercadona, Samsung or the Ministry of Agriculture. I am currently writing my debut feature, La cuarta edad, while we distribute Los ojos de Érebo.
If They Kill Me
Si Me Matan
Mexico / 2021 / Dramedy / 14 min / U.S Premiere
Synopsis
After seeing the general public’s negative responses to a protest against the femicide of a 17-year-old girl in Mexico City, Dafne and Tamara, activists and friends, go one step further in their search for justice.
About the Director
Hipatia Argüero Mendoza studied screenwriting at CCC Film School in Mexico City. She has participated in programs such as Talents Guadalajara and Nuevas Miradas at EICTV in Cuba. She currently studies the Screenwriting MA at the NFTS in the UK. She has written short films that have been selected for several international festivals. In 2020, the short film “Crescendo”, written by her, produced by Larisa Argüero, her sister, and directed by Percival Argüero, her brother, won the silver medal in the International Short category at the Student Academy Awards. “If They Kill Me” is her first short film as a director.
