Dir. Manuel Palenzuela, Venezuela, 2025, Spanish with English subtitles, 8min
Gregorio, a fisherman on Margarita Island clings to his land and livelihood, picking oysters daily while his entire family has left Venezuela.
THE OYSTER MAN
Manuel Palenzuela
Manuel grew up in Venezuela and moved to Madrid to pursue a career in filmmaking. He studied Audiovisual Communication at Universidad Carlos III and Cinematography at ECAM. His short films, music videos, and fashion films have received awards and recognition at international film festivals. In 2022, he represented Spain at the Venice Film Festival’s Giornate degli Autori, mentored by director Céline Sciamma, and was selected as the Spanish ambassador for the Lux Audience Awards, attending major festivals such as Berlinale and Cannes. In 2023, he directed the New Generation section of the Navarra International Film Festival, dedicated to showcasing emerging talent. He is currently represented as a director by Antiestático, an international production company focused on commercial films. Manuel’s work emphasizes narrative depth, atmospheric visuals, and a collaborative approach with actors, resulting in emotionally compelling stories.
