Local Perspectives
This compelling collection of shorts by Latin-Canadian filmmakers invites the viewer into a contemplative space where internal worlds meet external realities. The program navigates the intricate relationship between memory, identity, and place, often through the lens of migration and introspection. From the delicate flight patterns of a hummingbird hand-coloured onto film to the stark inner dialogue of an immigrant’s journey, these works explore moments of profound transition and the nuanced ways we perceive and interact with our environments.
Through diverse experimental approaches—including eco-processed celluloid, autobiographical dance, and fragmented narratives—these films offer intimate glimpses into the human condition. They collectively speak to the impermanence of existence, the lingering reverberations of where we call home, and the silent architectures of the mind. Each film is a synesthetic exploration of our senses, unraveling the intricate ways we perceive the world around us, challenging and expanding our understanding of what it means to see, hear, and feel.
Running time: 53 min
Content warning: Flashing lights
Guests in attendance
CHLOROPHYLL
Dir. Yoel Ortega | Canada | 11 min
In a futuristic metropolis, Chlorophyll follows Jonathan, who discovers solace through his bond with a potted plant, symbolizing his quest for authenticity amid towering skyscrapers and relentless artificiality.
Born with an innate curiosity and a deep appreciation for the power of visuals, Yoel discovered that directing films allowed him to have complete control over the narrative, enabling him to bring his unique vision to life. It is through the medium of film that Yoel found the perfect canvas to paint his stories. capturing the essence of human emotions and the complexities of life.
Pasta Negra
Dir. Jorge Thielen Armand | Canada | 15 min
Three Venezuelan women cross the border into Colombia to buy a packet of pasta.
Jorge Thielen Armand is a Venezuelan – Canadian filmmaker.
His feature films are La Soledad (Venice 2016) and La Fortaleza (Rotterdam 2020).
In 2021, he was named a Guggenheim Fellow.
His short film Pasta Negra premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2025. He is a partner of the production company La Faena.
Water my steps orchid color
Dir. Emmanuel Saavedra | Canada | 15 min
CIRO, A BOTANIST SUFFERING FROM POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER DURING A TIME OF WAR, FINDS IN FLOWERS AND PLANTS A WAY TO COPE WITH THE CONSTANT SUFFERING CAUSED BY THE ARMY.
I’m Emmanuel Saavedra, a Mexican student at CAAV – Universidad de Medios Audiovisuales, located in Guadalajara, Mexico. Throughout my time as a student, I have participated in several short and feature films.
Among the most notable projects are a music video produced for an emerging artist from my hometown, Guadalajara, where I served as producer, and a short film titled Juárez, which I wrote and directed. More recently, I received the most prestigious award (Platinum Remi Award) at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival for the short film Riega Mis Pasos Color Orquídea
Sisters
Dir. Maria Munro | Canada | 24 min
“Sisters” is a deeply personal story about my journey back to my home country of Venezuela to investigate the possibility of a long lost sister.
Maria Munro is a Venezuelan-born Vancouver-based filmmaker making her directing debut with “Sisters” (Leo Awards nominated 2026), a deeply personal film exploring memory, family and identity while journeying back to her native Venezuela to search for a long-lost sister. Her work blends introspection with visual storytelling influenced by her Latin roots.
Yaya
Dir. Sebastian Cerani | Canada | 6 min
“Yaya” is a collection of heartfelt vignettes that follows the journey of love and connection between a boy and his grandmother as they navigate the challenge of staying close while a continent apart.
Sebastian Cerani is an Argentine-Canadian writer-director, whose work explores identity, immigration, and community through narrative storytelling. His films have screened at festivals including the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival, Toronto Latin American Film Festival, and the Vancouver Asian Film Festival.
Grief
Dir. José Antonio Guayasamin | Canada |
After the death of her husband, María moves through grief in solitude during the Andean carnival. In a porous space between documentary and fiction, the film follows an act of farewell where body, presence, and memory intertwine.
José Antonio Guayasamin is an Ecuadorian filmmaker based in Canada. His work operates at the intersection of documentary, fiction, and archive, developing a hybrid cinematic language centered on gesture, time, and affect. His films have screened at international festivals including BAFICI, FICG, and Cinélatino Toulouse. He is currently pursuing a PhD in research-creation at UQO.