My First Film Festival!

            To all my fellow filmmakers, storytellers, and aspiring artists in the entertainment industry, all I have to say is, “submit your work!” Your project is worth the entry fee. As an aspiring storyteller, I’m always looking for writing contests, film festivals, or any platform that will allow me to showcase my work. The deterrents seem to pile up; “good premise, but not so marketable story,” or paying expensive late deadline fees, and not even making it to the semi-finalists. For those that have felt the obstacles grow larger, your work is worth the entry fee! I recently attended the 48 Independent Short Film Festival, and it was a true rejuvenating experience. The opportunity to view other people’s work, converse with fellow filmmakers, and to be part of a creative group trying to break the mold, is the motivation every storyteller should get to experience.

(Link above to search festivals)

            In July of 2017, a couple of friends helped me shoot a short film I had written. Originally, I offered the script to friends to direct, but they would suggest changes that would ultimately alter the story's theme. After explaining the situation to a friend from my hometown, she suggested; “what if it’s not enough to write the story, but you have to tell it, too?” After that short conversation, I started putting in more hours at work, saving up for the budget. After casting sessions, table reads, and rehearsals; we were able to pull it off. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of obstacles arose, but they were taken down either by myself, or someone involved in the project. This being my first experience directing, I felt I was about to have a nervous breakdown every fifteen minutes… but in a good way. After the editing, music, and credits were done, we were finally able to submit the short film.

            Our short film was selected semi-finalist, but then was not selected. After a couple of tries, we finally got the good news; we’ve been selected! The excitement was mutually shared amongst everyone involved, specially when we find out it was taking place at the director’s guild of America. Checking out the synopsis of the other selected films, my mind is blown by the enticing stories being told. Alex Kahuam, for instance, tells the story of an immigrant student being held at the immigration office at LAX. The young student is interrogated for hours, and constantly intimidated, pressured to answer questions he is oblivious towards. 

            Another short story narrated the life of a transgender woman returning home after her father passes away, and reunites with her estranged sister and mother after her surgery. The list of selections was embroiled with unique stories told through a passionate eye. 

            For all those people doubting if the crazy entry fees are worth it, please do it! You don’t have to enter every film festival out there, but do research, and enter the ones that excite you the most. Being able to gather with the cast, and crew, on the red carpet, and watch our work screened at the Director’s Guild was truly gratifying. Much appreciation to the "48 Independent Short Film Festival" for providing aspiring filmmakers with a platform to showcase our work. Don’t be afraid to write those cover letters, create those promotional posters, or pay those entry fees. 

* On a side note, here's the trailer, to the short we submitted. It's a dark comedy about three couples of different age groups, that get together for a dinner party, but get hammered instead, and the night soon turns into a preview of upcoming events for the youngest couple, making them doubt current life choices. We hoped to convey a reflection of how within first generations, specially in the hispanic community, marriage is often taken lightly, failing to take exterior factors into consideration.