VELA, 15min., Canada, Drama/Horror
Directed by Esteban Powell
Young Xime hopes to restore her family by arranging a Día de Los Muertos altar - meanwhile a looming presence closes in.

https://www.instagram.com/vela_shortfilm/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
A: What motivated me to make this film was my personal experience with grief, and contextualizing it with my Mexican heritage. Merging the deeply personal subject matter, with the folk tale I grew up hearing felt like the right way to process and share how something seemingly dark can transform in our minds into something positive - no matter how painful. And how better to (re)explore that than through the eyes of a child protagonist again? Vela became a cathartic way to portray a short chapter in the tale of an immigrant Mexican family in Canada, and how through reconnecting with their roots, they can find a spiritually fulfilling transformation.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
A: It took just under a year to complete the film, with the first draft of the script being done in August 2022, and final cut achieved in April 2023.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
A: Warm darkness

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
A: The biggest challenge with the film was finding the right cast, and how long it took to search with little turnout - but once we found the right artists to become the characters, everything fell into place. It took multiple rounds of casting calls, and scouting, but everything happened as it did the right way for the story.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
A: My initial reactions were very touching and enlightening, hearing what works on the film on its own without biased audiences that saw it develop with all of its intentions and pitching/development process. It went to show how the film spoke for itself, and how I personally think in succeeding to communicate what I wanted to say with the film straight from my heart. To hear how it resonated with various types of audience members of different cultures felt extra rewarding, as it indeed is a specific cultural story, that I wanted to share & for people to engage universally (despite its specificity).

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
A: I realized I wanted to make films ever since I went to art college, and fell in love with designing movie posters. Both digitally and illustrated, the way stories started popping into my mind, then from that developing concept art and storyboards continued to fuel that sparked dream. From there I applied to film school and carried me to where I am today.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
A: The film I've seen the most in my life is Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. I've lost count on the times I watched it growing up.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
A: I believe access to more audience thoughts, feedback, and general comments would be infinitely beneficial - to hear genuine thoughts from moviegoers, so one can improve and learn from the process continuously. Time of notice in advance is a plus too, so one can plan accordingly for any travel to visit the selected festivals.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
A: My experiences through the site have been nothing short of smooth and excellent in communication.

10. What is your favorite meal?
A: My favourite meal is Molletes! with lots of Pico de Gallo!

11. What is next for you? A new film?
A: I am currently working in tech support for local arts organizations in Toronto (Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto & The 8 Fest), and mentoring youth in their filmmaking practice for a local mental health arts organization (Workman Arts, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). Meanwhile, I am cooking up a new series of scripts of films to further develop themes of love through mental illness. Thank you again LA Feedback Film Fest for such a warm reception!