Cine Las Americas is excited to announce the inaugural Emergente Youth International Film Festival, dedicated exclusively to celebrating filmmakers under the age of 19. This festival will showcase an inspiring selection of youth-created films from around the world, all chosen from a call for submissions. The festival grants a Jury Award ($250 USD) and Audience Award ($250 USD) for Best Emergente Youth Film.
The event, which is free and family-friendly, promises to be an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.
May 24, 2025 · 11:30am – 3pm
Cost: FREE!
Location
Festival Competition Finalists
All Ages
Capillaire
Butarque Films · Spain
Manon is a teenager that suffers an insecurity due to her hair. The short film shows her inner fight and also her proud of being an afro girl.
ECAM, The Madrid Film School
La chasse aux grenouilles de la rue Wemotaci
(Frog Hunting on Wemotaci Street)
Samélia Newashish Dubé · Canada
Thirteen-year-old Sami loves animals of all types and sizes. In this intimate short, she shares her frog hunting technique and favourite place to get away to find these small amphibians.
Wapikoni Mobile
Zaque
Emily Alas · USA
Nicolas Zaque shares his journey towards overcoming injury to join his volleyball team for the last time.
Essex County Schools of Technology
35,567 Yup'ik Stories
Magnus Shipe · USA
A young student Yup’ik heritage by visiting a music band from his tribe that has reached global success, and like him, share their passion about their culture through the arts.
The Mesa Foundation
Backseat Driver
Cadence Barreda · USA
A girl moves into a new house and discovers a conspicuous chair in her backyard as well as strange happenings at 5:00 am every morning.
Independent
Ages 14+
¿Sacaste el Pollo?
(Did You Get the Chicken?)
Mayra Elize Estrada · USA
After being awoken from a nap, Ana must defrost an entire chicken before her mom comes home but a religious canvasser interrupts her mission.
Independent
The American Dream
Richie Velasquez, Luca Itric · USA
Navigating the American Dream can be a difficult task all on its own.
Pinellas County Schools
Grim Sleuth of a Monkey's Truth
Miguel Smet, Ethan Pinto · USA
A hard-nosed detective investigates a murder, leading him to a stuffed animal who knows more than he’s saying.
Pinellas County Schools
El Ronco: The Dark History of a Texas Ranger
Amaya Martínez Alvarez · USA
This documentary aims to uncover the story of one Texas Ranger in deep South Texas who instilled fear into Mexican and Mexican American residents. During this period, it is estimated that up to 5,000 Mexicans and Mexican Americans were killed in this region by vigilantes, law enforcement, and Texas Rangers.
Independent
RENATA (FC)
Luisa Santos · USA
A horrible, life-changing event forces a young woman to confront her demon.
Essex County Schools of Technology
Con El Sudor De Tu Frente
(By the Sweat of Your Brow)
Luciano Alzate · USA
When Dolores, an undocumented immigrant who lives alone, discovers $3 million in cash, her life takes a sudden and unexpected turn.
Independent
VERTIGO: A Roller-Coaster of Emotions
Armando Betancourt Esparza · Mexico
Nobody knows the whereabouts of two young people from Monterrey who radically began to hallucinate. Two key facts of the file: emotions and vertigo. Do you dare to live and feel it?
Independent
Night Lights
Lorena Castellanos · USA
Two bullied kids go down a dark path to make their suffering end.
Pinellas County Schools
Semifinalist Selection
Semifinalist films from the Emergente Youth International Film Festival were chosen for their exceptional creativity and vision, and will be honored with special screenings throughout the year to continue amplifying these powerful youth voices.
Reality Of Reverie
Jaydn Paige Landis · USA
Independent
R3V3NG3.EXE
Joshua Flores, Madeline Moran, Vincent Salinas · USA
SAY Sí Media Arts Studio
Home Sweet Home
Bjorgvin Arnarson · USA
SAY Sí Media Arts Studio
Acting Out
Mellony Ledo · USA
Independent
Bellezza in Ogni Coas
Kai Raffaele · USA
Pinellas County Schools
The Conference
Grace Baker, Mia Sollecito, Ella Yoder · USA
Pinellas County Schools
Here We Go Again!
Cadence Barreda · USA
Independent
FIND HER!
Cadence Barreda · USA
Independent
Socialization
Daniel Gutierrez, Savannah Killian · USA
Pinellas County Schools
tenuous
Leonardo Pérez · Venezuela
Independent
Our Flags, "New Glory"
Kim-Jimi Leonard, llysa Spencer · USA
The Mesa Foundation
Rose
llysa Spencer · USA
The Mesa Foundation
Summer Before Prague
Leesha Grant · Canada
Wapikoni Mobile
Uno y Medio Contra el Mundo
Jacob Estrada · USA
Independent
Poison Blood
Santiago Martínez Alvarez · USA
Independent
Emergente Team
Christian D. Nelson
Emergente Youth International Film Festival Co-Director
Christian D. Nelson is an Austin, Texas-based Filmmaker and Educator whose body of work is focused on the creation and formation of original, imaginative ideas and artistic expressions. Under his production company Reel Retro Productions, he has directed and produced numerous award-winning short films that have been selections of such festivals as the Cannes International Film Festival, Oaxaca International Film Festival, Austin Spotlight Film Festival- and more. Christian continues his journey of growth, reflection and passion through his love for film and education through his role with the Austin Film Society as Production Services Manager and mentor within the AFS Creative Careers workforce development program.
Miguel Anthony Briones
Emergente Youth International Film Festival Co-Director & Education Coordinator
Miguel Anthony Briones is an award-winning educator, community organizer, public speaker, and the award-winning author and illustrator of the bilingual children’s book Como Mi Padrino, as well as the highly acclaimed series Macho No Machismo. He was born and raised in Central El Paso Texas. Once a young travieso, he now writes about the experiences and culture that shaped his perception and outlook on life. He currently resides in the city of Austin Texas. Miguel is also the founder of Know Culture Publishing. Founded in 2023 Know Culture Publishing has a mission to empower marginalized communities affected by generational trauma, systemic inequities, and cultural displacement. By creating opportunities to share diverse stories, access critical resources, and preserve local history, Know Culture Publishing aims to foster a stronger sense of belonging through literature, performances, and heritage preservation.
Know Culture Publishing provides tailored content that addresses the social-emotional needs of individuals and families within marginalized communities. By offering practical strategies for healthier, more resilient lives, we empower audiences to navigate challenges with confidence and community support.