OJUE, 13min,. USA
Directed by Fernando Alberto Broce
A panamanian fashion designer living in the US, who is embarrassed about her culture, is forced to bring her dad with dementia (who is convinced that he is still in Panama) to her most important exhibition.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Since I moved to Los Angeles two years ago, I have felt a great nostalgia for my country, Panama. I wanted to tell a story whose characters would reflect this. I wanted to tell a story that would serve as a collage of the things I miss most about my country.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

It took about three months writing it, four months of pre-production, 7 days of filming, and four months of post-production. In total, almost a year.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Panama, identity.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The last two minutes of the short film were definitely the most challenging. Replicate a festival like the "Thousand Skirts", with more than thirty women arranged with the Panamanian skirt, shooting inside the lock in the Panama Canal, shooting with a band of more than seventy members. Undoubtedly, that final montage was challenging but the best thing that could happen to the short film.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was very happy that even though this is a story with Panama in the middle, the feeling was effectively transmitted to the audience of this festival, despite the fact that they were from other parts of the world.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

When I was little I watched an astronaut movie and spent a month wanting to be an astronaut. Then I saw one about writers and I wanted to be a writer. Then about lawyers, about doctors, etc. at the age of 13 I realized, that what I wanted was to make movies.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Her, The Swiss Army Man, Interstellar.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

To have the recording of the audience reacting was more than enough. The more spaces we have to see and talk about the reactions of our work, the better.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Very easy and smooth!

10. What is your favorite meal?

Octopus ceviche.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Currently writing my first feature film as writter and director. Also working daily as an editor and production designer