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An only son faces a heart-wrenching dilemma when his mother's cancer resurfaces before his college departure. As a First-Gen student, he grapples with sacrificing his dreams to care for her, but she insists otherwise. This emotional journey explores the challenges minority communities endure, balancing school aspirations with unwavering family responsibility.
Iran in 1971. Two young students from opposite ends of society meet by the sea at a time when revolution hangs in the air. Bijan (Shahrooz Mahmoodi), the son of aristocrats close to the regime of the Shah, prepares to leave for college and feels the pressures of a future already decided by his powerful father. He meets Layla (Rana Ghiassi), a girl from the wrong side of Tehran, who forces him to question everything. Their bond will challenge class…
From sketch comedy to an acclaimed podcast, The Sloppy Boys are taking their musical aspirations to the next level when they join forces with legendary keyboardist and producer Money Mark at the famed Sonic Ranch Studio in West Texas. They only have five days to make their comedy-rock dreams come true.
Every day, people find solace on a plank of wood and wheels. Whether a solitary pursuit or community bond, skateboarding offers a road to travel, edge to grind, and a challenge that bolsters grit and even, in some cases, saves lives. In his most personal film, director Sai Selvarajan finds the poetry and passion in sidewalk surfing - not in the pros, but in the person you may know: someone who is just trying to get by one session at…
As Donald Trump was getting sworn in as President and the Women’s March set an angry, outspoken tone for the country’s discourse, journalist Emily Ramshaw decided to meet the moment by launching The 19th. Named after the Nineteenth Amendment, The 19th became the first nonprofit, nonpartisan news agency in the United States.
Mistakenly getting tattooed the name Brenda into his forearm, a lonely, religious college student is convinced his new tattoo is a sign from God to find his long-awaited soulmate.
A pedantic mother-to-be hires a stranger to role-play as her unborn daughter.
A young women tries to get through another day with depression while dealing with a sense of detachment from her cat and boyfriend.
Marielitos is a Mexican immigrant nanny struggling with the last days of her current nanny job and trying to find a new one.
Chicano Cinema with Chicano Hollywood Moderated by Drew Mayer-OakesDate: Friday, September 29, 2023 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Location: Philanthropy TheaterDescription: Join the conversation around Chicano Cinema, led by Abe Rodriguez of Chicano Hollywood. Discover the origins of Chicano filmmaking and its profound influence on Latino filmmakers today. Explore how this movement has both inspired and challenged the industry, shaping a new narrative for the Latino community.Panelists: Abe Rodriguez & Billy TownesThis free community event is organized by the…
Getting Your Vision to the Screen with Cinematography Moderated by Craig Chartier (Cooke Lenses)Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Philanthropy TheaterDescription: Join experienced cinematographers for a captivating panel discussion on the evolution of cinematography. Discover the power of digital versus analog formats and explore how embracing new technologies can bring your filmmaking vision to life on the big screen. Get inspired by industry experts as they share insights and experiences in this exciting sessionPanelists: Rebeca…
The Challenges of Indie Production Moderated by Charles HorakDate: Thursday, September 28, 2023 @ 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Location: Philanthropy TheaterDescription: Discover the dynamic world of "Film Production in Texas" with a special panel featuring industry veterans Elizabeth Avellan, a renowned producer with a profound impact on Texas filmmaking and owner of Troublemaker Studios, Bob Bastarache, a thirty year veteran producer, and Lance Larson, an accomplished director and editor who recently debuted his first feature film at SXSW 2023.…
Here’s the Deal: The Realities of Indie Distribution Moderated by PendingDate: Saturday, September 30, 2023 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Convention CenterDescription: With this panel, we'll dive into the chaos of navigating the studio system, the rollercoaster ride of the festival circuit, and the wild world of streaming platforms. Our expert filmmakers, which include Lucky McKee, Tyler Russel, Dakota Thomas, and Andrew Jara will spill the beans on their experiences with reputable (and not-so-reputable) distributors, and whether they managed…
The Shorter the Better Moderated by Carlos F. CorralDate: Friday, September 29, 2023 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Philanthropy TheaterDescription: Join us for an inspiring panel discussion as successful short filmmakers share their strategies for creating impactful independent films. Discover how short films can serve as a powerful learning tool for aspiring filmmakers, provide exposure at prestigious festivals, and act as a compelling calling card for your own filmmaking journey. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired and learn…
Documentary Production: Unveiling Truths Through the Lens Moderated by Carlos F. CorralDate: Saturday, September 30, 2023 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Location: El Paso Convention CenterDescription: Join us on an illuminating journey into the heart of documentary filmmaking, where truth comes to life through the lens, revealing untold stories and unearthing profound human experiences Documentary filmmakers Heather Courtney, Ximena Alvarez, and Chelsea Hernandez will discuss their filmmaking journey in the world of non-fiction and how it has defined their…
Video Games, Graphic Novels & Film Moderated by Drew Mayer-OakesDate: Thursday, September 28, 2023 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Philanthropy TheaterDescription: Join us for a lively panel discussion as we explore the exciting confluence of video games, graphic novels, and indie film. We'll explore the creative overlaps, unique storytelling techniques, and the impact of these mediums on popular culture. Get ready to geek out with our diverse panel of experts!Panelists: Xalavier Nelson Jr. (Strange Scaffold), Dr. E.C.-Dukes (DUKEScomics),…
A disaffected, young gas-station clerk on the midnight shift must learn to give a damn about something after malevolent mind-controlling bugs are set loose by irresponsible oil drillers.
U.S. Border agent Angel Waters comes across what would normally be a routine illegal crossing, but it quickly devolves into his worst nightmare. Barely clinging to life, the immigrant utters, "El Paso, por favor”. In a tragic twist of fate the immigrant is killed while being held at a remote border outpost.
A middle-aged woman with more than a few regrets revisits an important part of her past to try and right a wrong, only to find that not everyone remembers the past the same way.
Earthling is a ten-minute animated documentary about Jack Weiner, a grown man whose entire life has been shaped by being abducted by aliens when he was young, a life story nobody believes. In the summer of 1976, Jack Weiner, along with his twin brother Jim, and two friends went camping in Maine’s Allagash wilderness, where they were abducted by aliens. It wasn’t until ten years later, and massive changes in their personalities, changes brought on by repressed memories, that the…
Fleeing the violence of Pancho Villa’s revolution, a widow finds refuge with a unit of female freedom fighters known as soldaderas… only to discover her estranged sister among them.
The realtor told them the house was haunted. That doesn't stop long-time couple, Maya and Danny, from moving in any way. After years of compromise and losing sight of what she wants, Maya finds part of herself that’s been missing in the spirits that occupy their new haunted house.
A composer attempts to unravel the memories of his relationship with his classical singer ex-boyfriend.
In early 2003, the US is on the brink of war with Iraq. At Fort Bliss, Texas, Quartermaster Corps Food Service Specialist Shoshana Johnson is awaiting her deployment. Just weeks earlier, she celebrated her 30th Birthday. As she sits in the mess hall joking with her fellow soldiers, little does she know that in a few weeks, she will become the first black female prisoner of war in U.S. military history.
A lover is revisited in a distant memory to make peace with their broken relationship, but turns sour as details unfold.
Following her release from prison, Daniella discovers that her younger sister has endured abuse at the hands of their stepfather, forcing her to confront the agonizing choice between prioritizing her sister's well-being or keeping her freedom. TW: Violence, references to sexual abuse.
In Texas, on the Mexican border, best friends Silvia and Beba dance through long summer nights. Stuck in the immigration process in a politically divided America, home seems fragile. But their bond is not. The half-light is a space for poetry and dreams.
A self-involved teen and her overworked single mom confront their differences as their mobile home is towed away… with them inside of it!
A young woman struggling to adjust after experiencing major life changes finds love, awakening, and adventure when her world is intersected by a man from a parallel Universe.
"KINGDOME" is a documentary that chronicles the remarkable journey of the legendary basketball tournament in Harlem known as the Kingdome. For 37 years, this tournament has been a symbol of community, resilience, and the transformative power of basketball. Through the eyes of its founder, Terry "Huncho" Cooper, and the diverse cast of players, fans, and organizers, the film explores the profound impact of the Kingdome on the lives of those involved and the Harlem community at large. From its humble…
Nolvia Castillo immigrated to the United States from a small village in Chiriqui, Guatemala, where she remembers eating fresh fruits and vegetables. In her new home of Austin, Texas, Nolvia finds her independence by learning how to drive and deliver produce to her neighbors as part of a food distribution program by local nonprofits Go Austin/Vamos Austin and Urban Roots Farm. As filmmaker, Ai Vuong rides along with Nolvia, she also reflects on the significance of past meals with her…
After a recent suicide attempt, Jake drives his neurodivergent older brother across the American West while the two reconcile with the traumas of their past in order to forge a new bond.
Two best friends have to pay their rent on time while mending their relationship.
A young rapper leaves everything behind and embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery, music, and friendship in the heart of Texas.
When Marianita brings her own son, Ale, to her nanny job for a weekend, she discovers the boundaries of her love for Oli, the boy she’s been taking care of as her own during the weekdays.
A caucasian man is nervous to meet his Mexican girlfriend's parents for the first time.
Mud and Esther get more than they bargained for when a smart device meant to rekindle their relationship proves to have a mind of its own.
At 37, Brian Wallach was diagnosed with ALS—on the same day he and his wife Sandra brought their second daughter home from the hospital. In an instant, everything changed. They went from being a couple only a few years removed from both working at the White House to not knowing if Brian would live to see his 40th birthday.
This is Angela’s story, a girl who discovers at a very early age that actions don't always have consequences. All human beings live with a good and bad side within themselves. But we can decide to take any direction that we want, only to conclude that still, nothing happens.
Avi and Sara may look human and live in a human world, but they are not human. They are the newest models of androids to labor for humans. Throughout the day, they go through the physical and mental strain of human life, even though the people who take advantage of them do not realize that. At the end of the day, they seek solace and comfort from each other in their minds, away from the cruel world that they were…
On Taphonomy is a visual essay on death, decomposition, and fossilization, as seen through the camera lens of German paleontologist Johannes Weigelt (1890-1948). A series of black-and-white photographs show decaying animals and fossil specimens alike, captured by Weigelt to glean how traces left by extinct species from the distant past could be studied through recent carcasses he found in his native Germany and along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Yet amid these professional pursuits, Weigelt also made dozens of Dada-inspired photomontages--a…
FILMMAKER OR VIP BADGE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY! Come join us for our opening night VIP and Filmmaker evening reception where you’ll get to meet the filmmakers of El Paso Film Festival at the Hotel Paso Del Norte. Enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres on us.
Two agents investigate a potential super-powered criminal to learn what abilities he may possess.
In 2020 a global pandemic sent the majority Latinx city of Chelsea, Massachusetts spiraling into chaos. Frontline workers risked their lives to help others, while City leaders came together in a desperate moment with a simple but inspired idea.
This video features the life and artwork of San Antonio based, Contemporary Chicano Artist, RUBIO. The idea that “Art Saves Lives’ is showcased in Rubio's own story; culminating in a near-death experience that forever altered him and inspired his ongoing use of art as a means of sharing folklore, remembering friends, and celebrating the lives of the Westside, San Antonio community he came from.
Meg, professional teacher's pet and amateur harpist, decides to stage a full, musical reenactment of the shooting that took place at her high school in honor of the 10 year anniversary.
A college freshman goes outside her comfort zone to impress the older girl she wants as her sorority "big."
Abril is an undocumented immigrant working as a seamstress out of her cousin's garage. When a bride comes in to have her wedding dress tailored, Abril discovers that the bride is marrying her ex.
A non-binary daydreamer pines for the life of the girl next door, but soon finds out the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
When a workaholic city detective and her laid-back partner try to stop a disheveled girl staggering down the middle of a country road, they discover some unseen entity is stalking her with a horrifying ultimatum: you stop moving, you die.
While preparing for her husband’s second death anniversary, a middle-aged Vietnamese immigrant woman and her Americanized adult daughter butt heads over how to best honor him, and inadvertently drag a handsome stranger at the local Asian market into their messy family dynamic.
A coming-of-age story of lust, grief, and friendship. After the father of a former friend passes away, Roman is invited to take a 'trip' to the past, while confronting his own lingering prejudices.
An up-and-coming rodeo announcer prepares for the final bull riding event of the season, an important milestone on his journey to join the Professional Bull Riders circuit.
Jane and Teddy are on the brink of divorce – but when their marital problems come to a sticking point, they have an unexpected breakthrough.
When five fathers of trans kids join Dennis Shepard, the father of slain gay college student Matthew Shepard, for a weekend fishing trip in rural Oklahoma, they find a common purpose across races, generations, and experiences.
Desperate filmmakers Aaron and George, notorious for their past failures, must conjure an ingenious film pitch in one hour to save their careers, delving into a wild brainstorming session at The Film Café, where their ideas materialize as sentient characters sent on a mind-altering journey to help them create the pitch to persuade their boss to grant them one final chance to make their own movie.
Located at El Paso County’s Ascarate Park, the garden stands as a solemn tribute to the 23 lives lost in the tragic, racially motivated mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart on August 3, 2019. El Paso County Judge Richard Samaniego and El Paso County commissioned the Healing Garden to commemorate the lives lost in the attack and opened it Aug. 3, 2021, the two-year anniversary of the shooting.
An up-and-coming Mariachi singer, with quite the past, discusses the joys and struggles of his uniquely Latino profession. This mockumentary/documentary will make you laugh; feel sad; then laugh, again.
After accidentally altering the timeline, two friends must figure out a way to undo their mistake or lose their favorite restaurant forever.
Get to know The Mundanes - a faceless suburban family with an unusual appetite.
An indigenous migrant named Alex is put to the ultimate test, forced to enter the criminal underworld just to live another day. Anayeli, another indigenous migrant, struggles to save the life of her unborn son, as well as her own. They will both do unthinkable things to survive The Pool of the Nobodies.
A documentary film crew follows a man who leaves his mark on concrete sites in Cedar Hill, TX.
Set in a big theater, where a white light shines down on MIME. His performance starts, from a fetal position stretching his limbs towards two lights that shines next to him representing his parents, he feels happy, secure, hopeful.
A civic-minded community in Laredo, Texas organize to protest the construction of a border wall.
An insecure writer and a novice filmmaker attempt to write a short film.
A group of kids goes into the desert for an overnight camping trip, where they catch wind of a local monster legend that takes the story to unexpected places.
When Ellie's husband is taken by a mandatory emergency draft, she turns to her neighbor Turner, who asks her to do the unthinkable to help him avoid the same fate.
A young Japanese boy grapples with his changing family dynamic and his identity as he starts living in the USA.
A vasectomy consultation goes awry as an unsure patient faces a quirky doctor and aggressive medical staff who don't want him to remain intact.
A young woman suffers the eerie consequences of her compulsive vibrator use.
FILMMAKER OR VIP BADGE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY! Come join us for our closing night VIP and Filmmaker evening reception where you’ll get to meet the filmmakers of El Paso Film Festival at the Hotel Paso Del Norte. Enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres on us.
When a crisis forces Erica home to confront her estranged sibling Marina, she fights to revive their childhood connection, only to find some wounds are too deep to heal.
In an uncertain world, a mother tries to convince her daughter to come outside and return to normalcy.