We received many excellent films from around the world. Our judges selected five finalists, which will be screened during the CreArte Expo Opening Night Ceremony on September 19. Please join us—tickets are free.

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September 19th, 6:30 pm
UTRGV Brownsville: Music Science and Learning Center (BMSLC)
One West University Blvd. 
Brownsville, TX 78520 

The Winning Films

 

Words to Live By

Richard E Haywood

I’m a Director, Writer, and Producer, from Maine currently attending USC. My recent film "Speaking with the Ancestors" was screened at the Oscar qualifying Los Angeles Asian Pacific film festival, and other works screened at Atlanta Black Pride, Los Angeles Official Latino, and LGBTQ film Festivals. I have been chosen by STARZ for their Production grant for my documentary "Women on Watch", which screened at the Oscar qualifying AmDocs in 2021. "Ronald was the winner of 2019 winner of REVOLT TV's Hip Hop Horror and screened on REVOLT TV. I was written up in ADVOCATE, VOYAGE LA and VIKING. My films have gotten awards from Asians on Film, and Golden State film festival for Best Actor and Actress, Best short film from BlackMagic Collective. I was also nominated for the CBMA (Campaign for Black Male Achievement) Award of Merit.

Director Statement

After working with a deaf student on a previous film, I was curious about the life of his interpreter. Each time I spoke with his interpreter, I was more fascinated with the art and care that goes into interpreting. Interpreters are not simply translating hand gestures into words, it is so much more intricate and complex than that. I hope the audience will come to realize how truly amazing interpreters are and how personal they take their job to give a voice to people who can't speak for themselves.

 

Huapango On Fire

Guadalupe Granados Basabe

Guadalupe is an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker whose narrative prowess has captivated audiences across multiple platforms. With a distinguished portfolio spanning animation, television, and short films, she has crafted stories for industry giants including Nickelodeon Latin America, Warner Bros., and Zhaolong Culture & Technology. Her creative excellence is validated by significant industry recognition. Guadalupe is a two-time grant recipient from the Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE), securing awards for Screenplay Development (2018) and Short Film Animation Production (2023). Her work earned a prestigious Webby Awards nomination for Nickelodeon in 2022, highlighting her innovative storytelling approach. As a filmmaker in transition, Guadalupe's short film "Huapango on Fire" achieved Official Selection at Shortway Pixelatl (2023), demonstrating her versatility and emerging directorial vision. Her storytelling extends beyond commercial success, evidenced by her compassionate "Fábulas para Dormir" project—a pro-bono web series that mobilized over 300 actors to narrate children's stories during the pandemic, offering emotional support during a global crisis. Driven by a passion for meaningful narrative and social impact, Guadalupe continues to push the boundaries of storytelling, creating work that resonates both commercially and culturally.

Director Statement

"Huapango on Fire" emerged from my personal experience living with Sjögren's Syndrome—a chronic condition that challenged my own resilience. Through this animated short, I sought to transform my journey of physical limitation into a universal story of hope and possibility.

By choosing vibrant, fantastical beings from Mexican folklore as protagonists, I wanted to create a narrative that celebrates the magical resilience inherent in our cultural imagination. Tenchina and Watsibi's adventure is a metaphor for overcoming internal and external obstacles, reflecting my belief that our challenges do not define us, but how we respond to them does. The Aztec proverb that guided my creative process resonates deeply: "Guidxilayú hri stilu ni, hriquiiñesi ucaalúlu' ti gánda icaaluni" — The world is yours, but you must win it. This film is my love letter to every person who has ever felt limited, a reminder that our stories are not written by our constraints, but by our courage to dream beyond them. I invite young viewers to claim their world, not despite their challenges, but empowered by their unique strengths.

 

RAÍCES: Culture Connected By Roots

Victoria J. Smith

Victoria J. Smith is a writer and director with a BFA in Film at Montclair State University. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for cinematic detail, she is dedicated to creating impactful and thought-provoking films. As a storyteller, she aspires to amplify the voices that often go unheard, and give a platform to diverse perspectives.

Director Statement

The desire to preserve stories that might otherwise be forgotten or misunderstood has fueled my approach to this documentary. This project reflects the intersections of identity, memory, and cultural survival that are so often present in immigrant communities, which lead me to the need to tell this story.

 

El Lloron

Rodrigo Moreno Fernandez

Rodrigo Moreno-Fernández (Writer, Director, Producer, Editor) is based in southern Texas. After immigrating from Mexico in 2006, the self-taught filmmaker made his directorial debut with the indie feature THE WHOLE. He received the 'First Time Director Award.' from the London Independent Film Awards and the 'Best Screenplay Award' from the Reel East Texas Film Festival.

His short films Ramona and Strings also received awards and accolades including The 2023 Best Texas Filmmaker at the Austin Revolution Film Festival and The Indie Spirt Award at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema in 2023. Rodrigo spent seven years as an illegal immigrant until he managed to secure deferred status during the Obama administration, allowing him to stay in Texas and work. Married with a three-year-old child with no papers or money, Rodrigo could not attend film school. He taught himself to film and tell stories by reading everything he could get his hands on and by listening to other filmmakers discuss their processes. Despite his struggles, he saved enough money to buy a second-hand camera, and he started making videos; for himself and later for those that might hire him for commercial work. Through this, he learned (by trial and error) how to light, shoot, and block actors, and he also learned to write scripts. Eventually, his commercial work began winning awards. One day he asked his wife permission to use their life savings to make a movie. She said yes, and from then on, became his producer. Together they managed to produce one feature film and two short narratives. Rodrigo's work has been programmed into festivals around the world. He recalls not having a work permit for his first invitation to a festival and could not confirm his attendance as director because of it. Today, he is proud to hold 22 awards for his work and, more importantly, to call himself a filmmaker.

Director Statement

I think I was 12 years old, sitting on the last bench alone at my Grandmother's funeral when I noticed a man entering the parlor. He wore an old, ragged black suit, and I could still see some of the repaired stitches. He slowly and respectfully approached my mother, who had made all the arrangements. She immediately recognized him and pointed to a bench, indicating that he should sit there. The man walked in and pulled out the card containing my Grandmother's obituary. Suddenly, without any hesitation, this man started pouring his lungs out, crying and shouting my Grandma's name. "Alicia!! Alicia!!" Years later, at my Father's funeral, I understood the profound significance of this man's role. He was a revered figure known for providing these emotional services, a testament to the respect and honor we bestow upon our departed loved ones. Perhaps this is the first level of the story I wanted to tell with this short film. Within the confines of Mexican society, it is of extreme importance that at least someone mourns for you at the end of your days. As I delved deeper into this, I discovered another profound level of meaning. I wanted to approach the concept of 'buying their essence,' a practice where people try to define their lives even after they have left, often through elaborate funerals and memorials. Some say that we define ourselves only after we die. We are someone now, but we are constantly evolving through the choices we make in life, and it's only when we have finished existing that people will say who we were. Existence precedes essence, so Satre said. But, in all honesty, this is also a story about my relationship with my Father. I never understood him better than when he passed away. I genuinely believe that it is through remembering that we truly comprehend the magnitude and influence that someone has over our own lives. The shape of my character was formed by the many interactions I had with him. This story is, in some sense, a way for me to cope with his death, but also to ensure I remember the time I finally understood him. So, we decided that the style of our movie should mimic a memory, hence the nostalgic color. We have presented you with a collection of characters living in the past. They wear the same outfits as their ancestors and reject "keyboards" or anything that would make them evolve. The performances, although comedic, are intended to make us think about ourselves after we leave this earth. Felipe, played by Bobby Soto, is a weak soul until he understands his Father's essence and the nature of his profession. His mother, Doña Maria, played by Renée Victor, offers guidance by referencing the past and tradition. Don Bernal, played by Valente Rodriguez, is the Funeral Parlor owner who drives the story forward, introducing conflict. Finally, the local priest, played by Eric Anderson, reveals a part of Felipe's Father hidden from him, which makes him understand his essence. As a director, sometimes your job is not to set elaborate camera shots or intricate movements but to ensure the tale is being told. One must set one's ego aside and not interfere with the story. Our job was to create an atmosphere of collaboration and exploration. I hope we have accomplished these and many other challenges and provided you with a project worthy of your consideration.

 

Lessons Learned In Cotulla

Oddett Garza

Oddett Garza is from Kingsville, Texas. She began studying theater and film in high school and attended the School of Performing Arts in Huntington Beach, CA. After graduating from CSULB, she moved to Austin, Texas where she wrote and directed several short film projects such as: And Why Not Sing and Notable Notes Floats. Oddett produced her first feature, Second Impression, that won audience award for best narrative feature at the San Antonio Film Festival. Oddett is currently working on a documentary series aimed at preserving the Tejana experience.

Director Statement

I grew up surrounded by amazing Tejana women whose stories were often overlooked. Yet, they were the ones who deeply cared for and shaped our communities. This film sets out to highlight and honor those women. It is an intimate journey into the experiences of Mexican American women who lived through a pivotal moment in history, shaped by LBJ’s time as a teacher in Cotulla, Texas. The policies he later championed—Title IX, bilingual education, and civil rights reforms—can all be traced back to his early classroom of Mexican American students. But beyond LBJ’s legacy, there is a deeper, more personal history: the women who carried these movements forward, often in the margins, but never in silence. As a filmmaker, my mission is to preserve the narratives that history has too often erased. This film is not just about remembering—it is about ensuring that these voices continue to shape the future.​

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Visit the Opening Night Ceremony page for more information