A Celebrate Mexico Now tradition lives on! Every year the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), one of Mexico’s most renowned gatherings for contemporary cinema, sends us five award-winning short films ranging from animation to documentary. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles. Following the screening, stay with us for a Q&A with Mexican filmmaker Sofia Carrillo. Moderated by Diana Vargas, Havana Film Festival NY

La Proporción Aura/ The Aura Proportion

Color. 2017. 13 mins

Awards: Award for Online Mexican Short Film | Online Mexican Short Film Selection

Synopsis: Leonardo, the new kid in school, thinks his life will be boring and monotonous until he meets Aura. Together they explore their first relationship, with all of the implications of being young and in love.

La palabra de la cueva/ The Word of the Cave

Color. 2017. 29 mins

Directed by Noé Martínez, Jorge Scobell and María Sosa

Awards: OJO for the Michoacán Section | Michoacán Section

Synopsis: Exploring the cave paintings in Chihuahua’s Cueva de las Monas, the filmmakers take us on a journey that not only reveals the vitality of this site but also shows us connections between these ancient and enigmatic images and the religious practices of the Raramuris people.

Cerulia

Color. 2017. 12 mins

Directed by Sofía Carrillo

Awards: OJO for Short Animated Film | Mexican Short Film Section

Synopsis: Cerulia begins a journey to say goodbye to her childhood home, but her memories and the presence of her grandparents do not let her leave.

Relato familiar / Familiar Tale

Color. 2017. 20 mins

Directed by Sumie García

Awards: OJO for Short Documentary Film | Mexican Short Film Section

Synopsis: Foto Saeki is an analog film store in the Colonia Santa María la Ribera in Mexico City. It’s owner,  Yukio Saeki, came to Mexico in 1955. At 83 years old, Saeki recalls walking towards the ocean by Hiroshima when he was thirteen, on the day that the atomic bomb fell from the sky.

Vuelve a mi/ Return to Me

Color. 2017. 20 mins

Awards: OJO for Short Fiction Film | Mexican Short Film Section

Synopsis: Rosita and Josue are siblings who arrive at the city of Chihuahua to work in a shop. There Rosita meets Eulalio, who begins to separate the siblings until one day she disappears without a trace.

This program is possible thanks to the support of the FICM, and SVA.