SAFILM attracts film lovers, and our audiences include press, filmmakers, industry leaders & die-hard fans!
The San Antonio Film Festival sets up an amazing, creative innovative environment where opportunities for one-on-one networking abound, connections are forged and filmmakers have a slew of unique opportunities to share ideas and advance their careers. As an accessible and inclusive platform for cinema artists, the San Antonio Film Festival also brings together scores of new and original films from across the country and around the world to delight, elevate and edify cinema lovers as well.
Day 5 Feature Films
*FEATURE FILMS SOLD SEPARATELY*
| Nate & Moriah in VeniceDirected by Austin Balke3 PM | Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater A young, struggling couple goes on vacation to rekindle their happiness, but their past catches up with them as they wander the streets of beautiful Venice for a day. |
| My Life, Your Entertainment: Thommy Price9:30 PM | Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater The Sons of Hercules: Three Decades of Spittin’ FireDirected by Geno Garza9:30 PM | Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater The Sons of Hercules are a 5-piece garage rock band from San Antonio headed into their 35th year of existence. Vocalist Frank Pugliese, fronted The Vamps who opened up for the Sex Pistols at Randy's Rodeo in 1978. But the Sons of Hercules' longevity and lively shows are what keep fans coming back. After five full-length albums and countless shows, this documentary shows why The Sons of Hercules are respected and beloved by many. |
| Easy DiggingDirected by Marissa Macy10 AM | Radius Center A documentary crew follows Ed Brown, a middle-aged building inspector, as he returns to his childhood dream of digging a hole to China. When Ed’s plans go viral and a billionaire investor gets involved, the whole world tunes in. Ed must face why he’s digging this hole, the loss of a childhood friend, his strained relationship with his father, and what it means to attempt the impossible. |
| Ahab Was Here: Reflections on Moby DickDirected by Todor “Tosh” Lichev12:30 PM | Radius Center “Ahab Was Here: Reflections on Moby Dick” rips away the drapes of theatrical pretense to expose the glorious mess of creation as a Bulgarian theater company tackles the white whale of literature—Melville's Moby Dick. |
| Beyond the GazeDirected by Jill Campbell7 PM | Radius Center In the 1960s, Jule Campbell shattered glass ceilings, transforming a struggling magazine into a media empire: the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The documentary chronicles her 32-year reign, where she championed intelligence and empowered supermodels like Christie Brinkley. Weaving together her journey with feminism's evolution, the film explores the changing gaze on beauty, from objectification to body positivity. Through stunning visuals and intimate interviews with a wise, nonagenarian Campbell, witness a legacy that continues to inspire. |
| LovebugDirected by Blake Kaiser12:30 PM | MALU & CARLOS ALVAREZ THEATER (Texas Public Radio Screen) Set in 1980s Los Angeles, a young man, Douglass, finds himself entangled in a relationship with Gracie, an eccentric hustler down on her luck. After their first time gettin’ jiggy, Gracie convinces the naive Douglass to become an adult film star under her management. |
| StitchedDirected by Zach Goodwin7 PM | MALU & CARLOS ALVAREZ THEATER (Texas Public Radio Screen) Ted Terger, a former counterfeit criminal, is forced to listen to every single conversation that's ever been held about him. He must relive his entire life from the perspective of his friends and family speaking honestly and gossiping about him. The decades spanning experience is divided into the four prominent family members from his life, his mother, ex-wife, son and granddaughter. |
Short Sessions
7 PM | Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater
| FRAGMENTOSDirected by Mario Mora Every morning brings the promise of a new beginning, but for Ed, every morning seems a bit muddled. Could it be that he has a different perspective? or could it be something else? |
| Nightmare of La LechuzaDirected by Lainnie Contreras Felán In a sleepy town, an ancient owl known as La Lechuza swoops down on Fern's humble abode, then transforms into Primitiva, an immortal, witchy owl woman. Enter Chello, an overeager Lechuza-in-training, crashing the hunt. Chaos ensues as Fern turns the owl-witches against each other with a dash of wit and a pinch of salt. |
| CoyoteDirected by Francisco Campos Jr Two estranged brothers must reconcile their differences in a desperate attempt to solve their problems which leads them to confront a malevolent evil that threatens to destroy everything they hold dear. |
| Waking NightmareDirected by Eric Mauricio Herrera Eriana battles sleep paralysis and waking terrors, haunted by a sinister doppelgänger in her dreams. As reality blurs with nightmares, she must confront the darkness within to save herself Before it Consumes Her. |
| HOUR OF BLOODDirected by Marcella Ochoa In 1915 Texas, it is a time of turmoil as Mexican ranchers have started mysteriously going missing and their ranches burned. Rumors are that a dark plague has covered the small farming town and demons are responsible for killing the ranchers. A father and his teenage daughter live in constant fear on one of the only ranches left. |
| MONSTERDirected by Matthew Borrego Andrew, a family man afflicted with nyctophobia, is faced with losing everything he loves if he doesn't heal old wounds. |
3 PM | Radius Center
| SIRENDirected by Constantino Ciminiello Doom-scrolling on a Friday night, Rett is drawn by an enchanting blue light to his backyard pool, where his digital obsessions lead to a fatal encounter. |
| The Deep EndDirected by Max Minus When a pool cleaner transports to the afterlife, he discovers an opportunity to answer lifelong questions with the last person he thought he’d ever see. |
| UNDONEDirected by Giovanni Lopes With the help of a ghost, a man burdened by childhood trauma must confront his emotions and life decisions to find a better future. |
| BaruDirected by Grace Goen Long after fleeing from town, a granddaughter does everything she can to connect to her recently deceased grandmother. |
| Fidelis ItinereDirected by Tomas Vasquez A boy embarks on an unique and remarkable journey. With a map and a few items he meets mysterious characters and unique places along the way. Will they unravel the mysteries of his journey or hinder our boy's path to complete his quest? |
| OrdealDirected by Aaron Kuhlman A character named Marci is in purgatory and debates whether to live or die after being in a car accident and killing someone in the process. |
| Devil and the SeaDirected by Justyce Williams, Baylor Jonz Shipwrecked. Marooned. Stranded with no way back. Captain Elizabeth leads what’s left of her crew across an unforgiving island, their hard-earned fortune now little more than a cruel reminder of what they’ve lost. But as exhaustion sets in, so do the questions about their course, about their captain, and about the truth she isn’t telling. |
9 PM | Radius Center
| The CoderDirected by William Gaillard Crouse In the midst of a catastrophic software crisis at a crypto startup, CTO Mary must race against time to save her company — and her sanity. |
| Crab ClawDirected by Steve Sanders In "Crab Claw", Dale and Cathy's relationship hits rock bottom, leading them to therapy. But as they navigate their issues, it becomes clear that Cathy's recent "hand" problem isn't just a physical ailment—it's a shell of a situation that leaves everyone clawing for solutions. Can they claw their way back to marital bliss, or will their crustacean calamity keep them in a pinch? |
| Mesopotamia, TXDirected by Lucy Gamades Two strangers wait for a Solar Eclipse amid a crowd of eclectic Texans. |
| Casual Vignettes of Gilded VulgarityDirected by Paul Kaiser Casual Vignettes of Gilded Vulgarity is an allegorical account told through a series of vignettes that connect the origin of American systemic and structural racism to its contemporary manifestations. The film’s 12 characters are flawed archetypes found within English aristocracy and classism that carried over to form our American foundations. Through historical satire, CVGV is a blunt indictment of America’s English peerage roots which created the culture of privilege, entitlement and racism that continues to perpetuate today. |
| CafunéDirected by Joanne Nguyen Christine, an exotic dancer in an open marriage, comes to realize her fear of losing her desirability while on a getaway with a lover. |
| Money TalksDirected by Tony Mucci The life of a $100 bill as its passed from one character to the next in 1981 New York City. |
| Let 'Em SoakDirected by Tommy Allocco When a low-life gambler’s crushing debt to a ruthless crime boss threatens his family and sanity, he’s forced to make a dangerous choice—risk everything for redemption or lose it all. |
CHILDREN'S FILMS
10 AM | Malu & Carlos Alvarez Theater (Texas Public Radio Screen)
| The Story of Tooma Boo The Tiny ElephantDirected by Layne Laughter, Tom Bevins The tiniest elephant ever born in the jungle overcomes his disability and uses his small size to save the elephant herd. |
| Faith and the Christmas StarDirected by Anne Trenning An animated chidren's Christmas film with original instrumental soundtrack. The message is Faith, hope and love are the manifestation of Christmas and as a result Christmas lives in our hearts every day. |
| BRIDGE -My Little Friends-Directed by Kazuyuki Ishihara "I'll bring Shiro to you.I promise!" Jin, the cat, made this promise to Mugi, who is deeply sad about losing her beloved dog, Shiro. Jin loves Mugi very much and, after hearing the story of the "Rainbow Bridge" from his owner Aki, he decides to take Mugi to meet Shiro at theRainbow Bridge! Can Jin heal Mugi's sadness? With the help of nearby pigeons and squirrels, Jin's great plan is now underway! |
| BrambletownDirected by Eric Power A musical, animated short film from popular children's musicians The Okee Dokee Brothers, BRAMBLETOWN explores connection and belonging – within ourselves, with each other, and with nature. |
3 PM | Malu & Carlos Alvarez Theater (Texas Public Radio Screen)
Huff & PuffDirected by Lucy Gamblin When a young girl is lost in the woods with only her storybooks to guide her home, she has to decide whether or not their directions are even worth following. | |
| Lunker and Toad: The Rescue Pt. 1Directed by Brian Morrow Lunker and Toad follows two big-mouthed green fish—and their pal Skeg—as they chase the holy grail of baits and dive headfirst into trouble, whether it’s getting foul-hooked or just being foul-mouthed. In The Rescue Pt. 1, Toad and his so-called “rescue crew” are wrapping up a totally legitimate operation (definitely not a heist), but Toads patience is wearing thin things get fishy when Slim runs late. |
ChangeDirected by Cynthia Ann Huerta-Mckown A once successful woman now living out of her car with her teenage daughter and desperate for gas money to get to her mother's house and a possible job decides to become a street musician. | |
| SUNSET DRIVEDirected by Jonathan Rodriguez Annie, a graduating senior, is dragged into an investigation after her high school sweetheart, Beck, commits a crime. |
LateDirected by Trace David Frahm Late is a surreal and fragmented portrait of a young man lost in the illusion of time. What begins as a routine morning slowly unravels into a playful yet introspective spiral through clocks, mirrors, and motion. As he lingers in the comfort of small rituals—coffee, outfits, reflections—he remains unaware that time is slipping past him. | |
| Peace and SerenityDirected by Triston Kollister Peace and Serenity is a short film wrapped in chaos, memory, and that raw ache of trying too hard to hold something together that’s already cracked. |
| Down the Rabbit HoleDirected by Bella Cristina Muñoz A modern fable following four friends, Hop, Hare, Horn, and Hash, as they grapple with the struggles of growth and maturity. |
| The Unfinished RaceDirected by Katrina Izabella Soto A man in his late 50s goes on a journey of rehabilitation, defying the odds as he pursues his passion for running. |
| 3:00am The Graveyard ShiftDirected by Armando Ramirez Cardenas A gas station clerk humorously navigates through the night shift by interacting with sleepless customers from around the neighborhood. |
| The BeanDirected by Marcelo Cisneros |
9 PM | Malu & Carlos Alvarez Theater (Texas Public Radio Screen)
| Lobus FrontalisDirected by Kristina Atovska LOBUS FRONTALIS is a psychological thriller that tells the emotional rollercoaster of Robert, a writer, as he waits for an answer as to whether his script will finally end up on the screen. |
| Shifting TidesDirected by Yoan Petrov After his mother dies, a distraught young man visits his estranged uncle in a lonely seaside village to determine what to do with the fortune she left behind. |
| Miles and FlowersDirected by Danny Volosozhar A buddy road trip movie about two guys just trying to escape the horrors of war on a journey that might be their last shot at survival. One is desperate to save his family, while the other is seeking redemption for his past. |
| The GeneralDirected by Nicolò Accettura In a southern suburb, three middle school friends are called to face the urgent draft notice of the neighborhood, an event that becomes an unsettling metaphor for the transition to adulthood, filled with fears and uncertainties. |
| Music to Die ForDirected by Rebecca Doherty A Northern Irish pianist seeks redemption for an attack on his former band during The Troubles when he unexpectedly encounters one of the bandmates at a gig years later. |
| PDirected by Stelios Poupetoris PA brave mouse in a cinema packed with cats is trying to twist a seemingly repetitive film, where a cat is chasing another mouse in hamster wheels. |
| When Will It Snow?Directed by Soot On A woman named Ninjin suffers from depression for a long time and finally decides to commit suicide. So, she goes to meet 2 close people she loves, and those meetings are a farewell for her. But she can't tell them about it, so she keeps it to herself. Therefore, the only way to make your loved ones understand is through a will. So, she will make a video of the will. Finally, nature will go to the mountains to say goodbye to the earth. |
