¡HAY Festival! Presents Short Films by Latinx Filmmakers, with Two Screening Events this November in Joshua Tree
JOSHUA TREE, CA – ¡Hay Festival!, a festival celebrating Chicanx/Latinx culture through music, food, dance, theatre, art, and film, announces its film program for 2024, ¡HAY CINE! LATINX SHORT FILMS FROM LA TO THE DESERT, which is FREE to attend. Five short films have been selected from Latinx filmmakers in Los Angeles to screen on November 8th in Joshua Tree. Carlos Avila, Film Curator for ¡Hay Festival!, says, “For those who’d like a glimpse into the future of U.S. Latinx filmmaking, these five beautifully crafted and exquisitely told short films provide an excellent sampling of what’s to come in the years ahead.”
Then on November 13th will be the World Premiere of Chicano Moses vs La Bruja de Landers, a short film by Latinx creatives from the Joshua Tree area, visual artist Joe Alvarez and filmmaker José Garcia Davis. “Joe came to me with the idea of making a short, humorous movie about luchadores in the high desert,” says Davis. “I knew that we could make an entertaining movie together. We were fortunate to get the fantastic trio Los Poncho Tones to do the music, who captured just the right mood.”
¡HAY Festival! Presents Short Films by Latinx Filmmakers, with Two Screening Events this November in Joshua Tree
The two film events will each include a Q&A discussion with the filmmakers, serving as a way for attendees to engage and learn more about their filmmaking practices. The films will be screened at Joshua Tree Retreat Center at 59700 Hwy 62 in Joshua Tree. The screenings are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available.
Chicano Moses vs La Bruja de Landers film still director Jose Garcia Davis
THE FILM PROGRAM INCLUDES:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
FIVE LATINX SHORT FILMS FROM LOS ANGELES, followed by a Q&A
- Daughter of The Sea directed by Alexis C. Garcia
This beautifully crafted story is full of visions, dreams, family ties, the pull of home, and the heartache of grief, culminating in a spiritual awakening through a ritual return to the sea. It stars Princess Nokia, whose thoughtful performance shines throughout. See trailer. - Death In Training directed by Miguel Angel Duran
In this comedy, life in the afterlife is full of challenges for a hapless young trainee who is tasked with collecting one soul in order to become the next Soul Collector. But when he takes the wrong soul by mistake, all hell breaks loose. See trailer. - In Wonderland directed by Andrea Camacho McCracken
Through the eyes of an 8-year-old Mexican girl who is granted asylum in the U.S., we see her overwhelmed by the strange place she’s in and the family she doesn’t know. To cope, she escapes to the fantasy world of her favorite book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, journeying through to find an acceptance of her new home. See trailer.
- El Paisa directed by Daniel Eduvijes Carrera
After being rescued by a stern vaquero on the streets of East LA, gay goth skater Fernando must put an end to closeted young love, leading to personal transformation. This coming-of-age drama celebrates the unifying notions of family, heartache, and Queer identity. See trailer. - The Kill Floor directed by Carlos Avila
27 minutes
When the Covid-19 pandemic engulfs a meatpacking plant in his rural hometown, a young Latinx reporter returns to uncover the urgent and deadly circumstances threatening the plant’s workers—including his father. See trailer.
The Kill Floor_film still with Jaime Zevallos, Alejandro Patino, Daniel E. Mora_director Carlos Avila
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
SHORT FILM with LIVE MUSICAL SCORE, followed by a Q&A
WORLD PREMIERE: Chicano Moses vs La Bruja de Landers, directed by José Garcia Davis, written by Joe Alvarez, both high desert locals
Live original score performed by Los Poncho Tones
A Los Poncho Tones concert follows the Q&A
A desert vista, a pink cow, a vengeful bruja (witch), and a quartet of fighting luchadores wrestlers—this quirky, humorous, and action-packed short film has it all.
In previous years, the film program of ¡Hay Festival! concentrated on artist documentaries. This year’s concentration on narrative short films opens the door to comedy, fantasy, and drama. “Discovering new films that explore such a wide variety of experiences is very gratifying,” says Christy Addis-Gutierrez, Film Program Director for ¡Hay Festival! “We are very proud to screen these films from such talented filmmakers, who show a profound passion and love for their culture and for the art of storytelling.”
This film program was made possible with support from California Humanities, a partner of the NEH. Visit www.calhum.org to learn more.
El Paisa film still director Daniel Eduvijes Carrera
ABOUT ¡HAY FESTIVAL!
¡Hay Festival! is a festival dedicated to celebrating Chicanx/Latinx culture in all its forms, both traditional and contemporary. Currently in its third year, the festival explores the culture through music, food, dance, theatre, art, and film. Held each fall at Joshua Tree Retreat Center, the biggest event is the Día de los Muertos celebration, with a community altar, live music by Mariachi Coachella, face-painting, kids’ activities, and favorite Mexican foods for purchase. ¡Hay Festival! events are open to all, and most are free to attend. Festival sponsors include Joshua Tree Retreat Center, Latina Dance Project, Joshua Tree Voice, Taylor Junction, Hi-Desert Creative, and Art Crush. The film program was made possible with support from California Humanities, a partner of the NEH.
Contact: For press inquiries, email addisgutierrez@gmail.com
Website: www.hay-festival.com
Facebook: ¡hayfestival!
Instagram: @jt_hayfestival
Film Program Partner: Latina Dance Project
Film Program Director: Christy Addis-Gutierrez
Film Curator: Carlos Avila
Photos provided by ¡Hay Festival!
Death in Training film still director Miguel Angel Duran
