El Paso Film Festival 2024

A fascinating journey through Mexican culture and spirituality in search of the origins of the Virgin of Guadalupe, an icon that emerged after the shocking clash between Europe and the Mesoamerican peoples. With all its lights and shadows, this ‘brown skinned’ virgin is the first and most important sign of Mexican identity.

Faith in Film

Moderated by Drew Mayer-Oakes Date: Friday, September 27, 2024@ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for a panel discussion on faith-based filmmaking! We will explore the latest trends in this growing genre and share best practices for creating impactful and inspiring films. Our panelists include experienced filmmakers and actors who are actively working in faith-based cinema.

Panelists: Abe Bueno-Jallad (The Chosen), Chris Hanna (Edge of Freedom),

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

A Conversation with Chicano Hollywood TV

Moderated by Abel Rodriguez Date: Friday, September 27, 2024 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Listen in on our conversation with Chicano Hollywood TV on how to get your films and movies their streaming service! This session will provide valuable insights and practical advice from industry experts on navigating the complex world of digital distribution.

Panelists: Johnny Murillo (founder Chicano Hollywood)

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

PERSONAL COURAGE tells the intimate story of Army veteran Jeffrey Derma and his wife, Rebecca Cristina, as their marriage reaches a crossroads. Beginning in the final days of Jeff’s military service and continuing through the next two and a half years, the film captures their relationship as they reacclimate to one another and work to reestablish what it means to live life together as a family.

The Actor's Journey

Moderated by Roland Esparza Date: Friday, September 27, 2024 @ 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an inspiring panel discussion that delves into the diverse paths actors take to achieve success across independent films, regional productions, and major studio film and television projects. This session will provide valuable insights from seasoned actors and industry professionals, offering practical advice and personal stories that highlight the unique challenges and opportunities in each sector.

Panelists: Abe Bueno-Jallad, Walter Perez, Jeni Robins

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

The Strike is a feature documentary that tells the story of a generation of California men who endured decades of solitary confinement and, against all odds, launched the largest hunger strike in U.S. history.

Short Films as a Calling Card

Moderated by Tyler Russell Date: Friday, September 27, 2024 @ 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an inspiring panel discussion as successful short filmmakers share their strategies for creating impactful independent films. Discover how short films can serve as a powerful learning tool for aspiring filmmakers, provide exposure at prestigious festivals, and act as a compelling calling card for your own filmmaking journey. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired and learn from the best!

Panelists: Ryan Rox, Alana Wright, Julien Nunez

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

Using Stage 32 to Master your Craft

Moderated by Sam Sokolow, Stage 32 Certification Producer Date: Friday, September 27, 2024 @ 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an enlightening discussion on how filmmakers can leverage the Stage 32 online community to master their craft and further their training through master class certifications. This session will explore the various resources and opportunities available on Stage 32, providing valuable industry insights.

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

Transwomen face more difficulties in Latin America than in any other part of the world. In most of these countries, unchecked transphobia severely limits trans people’s access to education, employment, housing, and medical services. In Mexico, which has one of the highest murder rates of transwomen in the world, the prosecution of these crimes is regrettably uncommon.

Creating with Light & Lens - Cinematography on a Budget

Moderated by Craig Chartier Date: Friday, September 27, 2024 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an enlightening panel discussion on the art of cinematography, focusing on how to use lighting and lens choices to create professional-looking scenes in short films and indie features without breaking the bank. This session will provide valuable insights from experienced cinematographers who have mastered the craft of making every dollar count while achieving stunning visual results.

Panelists: Matthew Gay (Camera Operator, Photographer), Jaime Blanco (Cinematographer)

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

Creative TV - Producing Television Locally

Moderated by Valentin Sandoval Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the art of producing local television content that authentically represents the communities it serves while maintaining the high production values of national brands. This session will explore the strategies and best practices for creating compelling local TV productions that resonate with viewers and attract advertisers.

Panelists: Robert Izquierdo Canino, Julien Nuñez

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

Music in Film: Navigating Indie and Studio Production

Moderated by TBA Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the art and business of creating soundtracks for both independent and major studio film and television productions. This session will explore the training required, the creative process, and how composers and music producers can achieve success while working outside the traditional Hollywood system.

Panelists: Joseph Metcalfe, Enrique Ponce

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

The United States border is not just a geographic location. The border is everywhere. It lies within all undocumented immigrants with the threat that at any moment they can be captured, incarcerated, deported; their lives destroyed.

Features that Sell

Moderated by Charles Horak Date: Saturday September 28, 2024 @ 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the strategies and best practices for creating independent feature films that are not only artistically compelling but also commercially viable. This session will explore the entire journey from conception to distribution, providing valuable tips for filmmakers looking to navigate the complexities of the independent film market.

Panelists: Tyler Russel, Alana Wright, Robert Holguin

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

Producing and Directing a Low-Budget Short Film

Moderated by Charles Horak Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024 @ 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an in-depth panel discussion on the intricacies of producing and directing low-budget regional short films featuring SAG actors. This session will cover the essential aspects of working closely with local film commissions, coordinating street closures, and utilizing public transportation systems like buses and streetcars in your film. Gain valuable insights from industry professionals who have successfully navigated these challenges to create compelling regional films.

Panelists: Ellar Coltrane, Carlos M. De La Torre, Francis Yzaguirre, and Michael Del La O.

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

Mirna and Magdiel are an ordinary family living under extraordinary circumstances. After fleeing violence in Honduras, joining the infamous migrant caravan, and enduring months in a US detention center, they are sponsored by a synagogue in Seattle, who lend them an empty beachfront mansion while they wait for their asylum verdict. Over three years, this young family navigates countless moments–both life-altering and mundane–where grief, memory, and joy collide.

Thriving as a Regional Screenwriter - Success Outside Hollywood

Moderated by TBA Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024 @ 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the unique journey of regional screenwriters who have found success working outside the major film hubs of Hollywood and New York. This session will explore the opportunities and challenges faced by screenwriters in regional markets, offering practical advice and inspiring stories from those who have carved out successful careers in diverse locations.

Panelists: Richard Dane Scott, Austin Savage

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

From Concept to Screen: The Journey of "Texas Cotton"

Moderated by Drew Mayer-Oakes Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Plaza Theater Backstage

Description: Tyler Russell will share his inspiration behind "Texas Cotton," a mystery set in small-town Texas. Learn how he crafted a narrative that captures the essence of rural life while weaving a compelling and suspenseful plot. Discover the importance of creating a proof-of-concept short film - the panel will discuss how this initial step helped refine their vision and demonstrate the project's potential to investors and collaborators. The panel will explore the various strategies used to secure funding, including crowdfunding, private investors, and support from local film organizations.

Panelists: Tyler Russell

This free community event is organized by the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission at Visit El Paso, and is supported by the El Paso Film Festival.

Following the death of her brother, filmmaker Robie Flores returns to her hometown Eagle Pass on the Texas/Mexico border, wanting to turn back time. She collides with unruly experiences of adolescence – quinceañeras, Rio Grande river excursions, teen makeovers and beyond – that invite her to soak up the details of the home her brother adored and she ignored.