Block A | YOUTH, TRUTH AND RESILIENCE

Drama Short | US & International | 20:52 Min

After being jumped, Olivia tries on the hood life with the help of her long lost cousin in order to retaliate.

It’s about a girl that tries to belong to a community because her previous self was no longer serving her. She wasn’t able to defend herself in a physical altercation and now she wants to be tougher. But than she becomes the person she was initially trying to defend herself against.

Drama Short | US & International | 15:16 Min

In 1960s rural Durango, Mexico, a young boy named Leo’s life changes when he finds himself abandoned by his father on his uncle’s ranch. With nowhere to go, Leo grows up on his uncle, Tio Arturo’s ranch being exploited for work for over a decade. Soon Leo will discover the truth that Tio Arturo has been hiding from him all these years, prompting him to finally escape the ranch and his uncle forever.

Drama Short | US & International | 12:41 Min

Samantha is the strong-willed first-generation Latina daughter of an immigrant who is passionate about alternative punk rock music. Much to her mother’s disapproval, she has a band performing at the local Battle of the Bands. Rosa is a stoic immigrant mother who has held various labor jobs in her lifetime and holds traditional Mexican values. Will Rosa ultimately accept and support her daughter’s journey?

Horror/Sci-Fi Short | US & International | 13:13 Min

On the night of his eighth birthday, Pablito mourns the loss of his Amá. But when his Abuela tells him a fairytale about the mystical Bruja Del Mar, he finds unexpected parallels between his own life and her story. Amidst the tale, immigration agents raid his neighborhood, endangering Pablito and Abuela.

With themes of resilience and love, “La Bruja” highlights the transformative power of storytelling, reminding us that even the darkest moments hold the most light.

Drama Short | US & International | 21:59 Min

As his mind drifts away so do his boys..

Driftin’ on a Memory is a dramedy about Drew, the oldest of three Chicano brothers, trying to force his father back to rehab after he has a bad relapse at a lonely bus stop. Drew shows his father an old photo of when they were happy together at the batting cages, hoping it’s enough but with the help of his two brothers, Ben and Jeremy, Drew learns that something has to give or he’ll lose everything.

This is a very personal film about loving people in your life who struggle and what that does to your other relationships. These characters mourn but also welcome their future. It is loosely inspired by a real event that the writer/director experienced but it might be something plenty of people relate to. “Someone once asked me if I’ll get a tattoo to pay respects to my late father but telling this story is how I’ll do that.”

Drama Short | US & International | 12:51 Min

Emilio, a young adult, must choose between keeping his dying grandfather’s ranch or selling it to forge his own path, risking his last family connection, and during twilight, a familiar face helps give him a new perspective.