With the 19th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival underway, it’s time to check out the highlights of the second day of the biggest showcase of short films in the industry! After last night’s amazing Opening Night celebration, we open up today with a plethora of films from a variety of genres and perspectives. With Adult Animation, Family Dramas, LGBTQIA+-focused films, as well projects shot more traditionally on film, as well as everyone’s favorite, Horror! Not only that, the massively talented Sofia Garza-Barba has taken the time to chat with us to talk about her film Peccadillo, and her path to this year’s HollyShorts! Let’s not waste any more time and get to today’s slate of films!
American Sikh – A dark but inspiring film about Vishavjat, an American that follows the Sikh faith who, after dealing with the racism of Americans despite being an American themselves, takes on the alter ego of the American Sikh. A superhero who celebrates their Sikh heritage, Vishavjat also shows their love and respect for the American way of life, and to show the world that even though you look different, that doesn’t mean you’re wrong or bad. It’s a beautifully animated film, with some really interesting styles and a terrific use of color. While it does have some tough moments, the film was overall really emotionally gratifying, delivering an incredible message about the poison of racism. Directed and written by Vishavjat Singh and Ryan Westra, with Singh providing narration.
Sleep Study – Written and directed by Natalie Metzger, this film focuses on a young mother who continues to see an ethereal and malicious being when she sleeps, leading her down a path that will forever change her life. This was a deeply unsettling film with an incredible twist that will leave quite a few jaws on the floor. Starring Olivia Applegate and Kevin Changaris.
Tremolo – Surprisingly tense and engrossing, Tremolo stars Sherry Shen in the fascinating story of a violin player whose hand tremor re-emerges during her first run as a soloist for an orchestra. As she struggles to get it under control, we see the memories of her dealing with this ailment, her reactions from childhood and the ways she’s learned to deal with it into her adulthood, as well as the lengths she is prepared to go to share her musical gift with the world. Shen is incredible in this, delivering an emotional and intense performance at every moment. Written and directed by Jade Li.
Peccadillo – A festival favorite and an absolutely beautiful story, this film focuses on Lorenzo, a young man struggling with his sexuality and identity. While his religious family pushes traditional values, he longs to express himself as he is, enamored by the beauty and glamor of the club across from his work, which features notable drag queens as they perform in all their glory. Watching from afar, Lorenzo uses private moments to explore who he truly wants to be, encouraged by a visit from one of the queens he so admires. This is a deeply emotional film, full of pain, catharsis, and the euphoric job of embracing one’s true self. Huitzili Espinosa is so good in this, really delivering the true emotional rollercoaster that comes with emerging from the other side of such a difficult life crisis. Even though things are left ambiguous, what’s less ambiguous is that you’ll likely be crying by the end of this Sofia Garza-Barba film that also stars Pablo Levy performing under their stage name Eva Blunt, as Diabl@.
Murder Camp – Serial killers typically have a specific location that they tend to haunt, usually coinciding with a certain time of the year. But what happens when the killers get their schedules mixed up and attack the same summer camp? Well, it gets a bit complicated, especially when the two killers are best friends, and even more complex when one of them is going through an identity crisis, considering abandoning their quest for revenge and carnage and moving on to a normal life. It’s a hilarious film with a fantastic twist, really delivering the laughs with a dash of shock value. Written by and starring Will Harris and Jeremy Radin, who are both so much fun in this, and directed by Clara Aranovich.
That’ll do it for our highlights for today, but keep reading to see our conversation with Sofia Garza-Barba, the director of the powerful, brilliant and emotional film, Peccadillo, which was a personal favorite of the festival. Big thanks to Sofia for joining us!
What inspired you to start making films? Growing up watching music videos and films is probably my biggest inspiration. I was born and raised in Mexico. I had no idea that a career in filmmaking even existed. I’ve always been a music video and movie junkie, as it was an eye opening and mind experience every time I had a chance to sit in front of a TV or movie theatre. I spent most of my weekends watching MTV and movies and directing quirky plays with my neighbors. It was at school when I met a Canadian computer teacher, that I realized what I wanted to do with my life. His name was Mark Alessio. He transformed the computer lab in to some sort of film class. He called it the YES LAB. This is where I learned how to edit, shoot video and tell stories. Like a total geek, I spent my lunch break in this lab. Editing and learning camera tricks. I found my passion, where anything was possible. Years of watching movies and music videos, but it was then when I had the tools to create colorful and strange worlds myself.
Were there any challenges in making this project? Crowdfunding this project was the most difficult part of making this film. I hate asking for money, but I felt the need to tell this story right now. We crowdfunded this project via Seed&Spark, and it was a total success. After working super hard to get people to give us money, the second challenge was to follow the shooting schedule and not go beyond the shooting hours. Having SFX Make-Up and professional Drag Queens kept our call times early in the morning, and ate our time quite quickly. To keep our queens glamorous and beautiful, but at the same time respect the 12 hour days was quite a challenge, but we made it!
Is there any type of message or emotion that you hope the viewer takes away from watching this film? I want everyone to feel embraced, accepted and loved after watching this film. Look at yourself in the mirror, and loot at your neighbor. Admire your differences, and feel the biggest and warmest hug of acceptance. Being you should never be a secret… you are beautiful inside and out. I hope every person that watches this film, comes out of the theatre with an engorged heart, ready to accept themselves and others for who they are. I want them to become a safe space for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and advocates. This world needs each and every one of us speak up for those voices that need to be heard and respected.
How does it feel to be able to screen the film at HollyShorts? This is my second time in HollyShorts, and I am beyond thrilled! This project is my most precious project in my life, and having it’s LA Premire at HollyShorts is a dream come true. I am grateful, and can’t wait to experience the festival alongside my cast and crew. We will fill the theatre seats with glitter, and your eyes with Latinx Kitsch storytelling.
What’s on the horizon for you? I’m waiting for the strike to end, so we can go out and shop around a Pilot series I’ve been working on for the past year and a half. It’s queer, Latinx, full of glitter, glam, dance and drama. That’s all I can say, but can’t wait to keep making hybrid stories that go beyond the typical storyline. I believe feelings are universal, and the way I tell stories is meant for everyone that has a heart and loves to feel love, passion, fear, happiness and more.
Night two has come and gone, but there’s still so much more to see! All of these amazing films, as well as all others from the 19th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival will be available in person, at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Los Angeles on their scheduled nights throughout the festival. Tickets for the festival, as well as the screening schedule, can be found here. They can also be viewed digitally, with tickets available on BitPix.
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