This is an american film.
it’s a film about america...
...and a dream.
a nightmare.
Encuentro Americano unfolds within the confines of a busy diner on a severely hot morning, where the clinking of coffee cups, the chatter of customers, and the sharp sizzle of the grill set the backdrop for a tense morning. Undocumented workers in the kitchen nervously prepare breakfast for a group of obnoxious ICE agents. Hijab-wearing Gen Z influencers endlessly scroll through the void. An exhausted server spills her last drops of vitality into stained mugs. A millennial still reckoning with adulthood and looking for closure awaits the ex that was the one. An elderly man that has lived many lifetimes lives many more through the 24-hour news cycles and soul numbing commercial breaks inhabiting the muted TVs. Families, friends, the forlorn, the forgotten, all gather in this greasy, imperfect, comforting ecosystem. But the atmosphere thickens with the palpable unknown of what may happen next and who may walk through those diner doors.
Director’s statement
This short film is a recreation of a dream I had involving a diner and a mass shooter. Diners have always felt like sacred spaces to me, from the Valley suburbs of Los Angeles where I grew up, to 24 hour pit stops out on the road--a diner was truly a home away from home. In its decor, its people, its greasy menus, the atmosphere was always familiar. Morning grand slams and rigged claw machines with my parents after Sunday mass, late night coffee and parking lot cigarettes with high school friends, awful first dates, large orders of fries after too much to drink, commiserating lunches, and afternoon solo booth solace with a sketchbook and a slice of pie---I experienced so much life in diners. So to dream up such a terrifying encounter as a mass shooting in what I had always considered a safe space absolutely shook me to my core. It felt so real and it is so real.
E.T. Vazquez
Writer/Director
if not now,
then when?
In 2019, according to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 414 mass shootings in the United States---a record high up until then. There have been over 600 mass shootings every year in the U.S. since. Only a few months into 2024, there have already been 82 documented mass shootings.
We are connected
in our grief.
Now more than ever I feel the pull towards holding up a mirror to this country. Everyday, there is more senseless death, and every time it seems to feel closer. Legislation has done little to nothing to prevent this kind of violence. Instead, it has continued to perpetuate violence against so-called minorities--immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, women, muslims, indigenous peoples, black and brown folks--with hateful rhetoric and draconian conservatism, stripping the rights of individuals and the people. Instead of addressing the increase of (white-nationalist) domestic-terrorism, housing and food insecurity, decaying infrastructures, and climate catastrophes (to name a few things), we export more death--to our borders and to our special interests around the globe--funding the militarized policing of our communities and directly supporting the oppression and genocide of others. Who is safe? Where is safe?
Aside from triggering a deep dread and eventually a short film script, that diner dream reminded me that no matter where we’re at in life, death will meet us on its own time. But dying is nothing new--it is the only certainty we’re granted in life, it’s the easy part--how we get there, the lives we live before the credits roll, that’s that the magic, the magic of meaning-making that has the power to change and create worlds.
E.T. Vazquez is a first generation Mexican-American artist, writer and filmmaker from Los Angeles. They received their BA in Film Production with a focus on cinematography at the Arts University Bournemouth in the UK. Their undergraduate thesis film HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY WEI received notable attention in the festival circuit including a nomination for best student short at the Royal Television Society Southern Centre Regionals. From 2021 to 2022, they were an artist-in-residence at The Philosophical Research Society and exhibited their first solo show at the Hansell Gallery. They also graduated from the American Film Institute Conservatory with an MFA in Screenwriting in 2022. Their thesis film GORDITX premiered at the GuadaLAjara Film Festival and was included in various festivals including AFI Fest, OUTFEST Fusion, and the New York Latino Film Festival
Mario J. Novoa is a seasoned producer with over 20 years of experience in the film industry. He has a proven track record of producing award-winning documentaries and narrative films. He is a skilled storyteller with a strong eye for detail and also an experienced project manager. He has worked as a producer for PBS-distributed documentaries, where I produced several award-winning documentaries, including "L.A.: A Queer History" Pt. 1 - Culture & Criminalization, and, Pt. 2 - Protests & Parades, and "NellyQueen: The Life & Times of Jose Sarria.” He has also worked as a freelance producer for several other production companies. He has a passion for telling stories that matter, and believes that film can be a powerful tool for education, entertainment, and social change. In 2012, Mario J. Novoa developed "Film Bliss Studios" a film production company focused on producing diverse stories featuring people of color and the LGBT community.
Andrea Camacho McCracken is a first generation, Mexican-American writer and director, based in LA and Arizona. Her work uses genre to reimagine underrepresented stories, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the complexities of the American Dream. With a strong passion for breaking stereotypes and promoting inclusivity, Andrea is dedicated to bringing vibrant stories and diverse perspectives to the forefront of cinema. She was awarded "Best Female Director" at the Georgia Latino International Film Festival for her short film IN WONDERLAND. The same film is currently nominated for the "Narrative Student Shorts Jury Award" at the 30th Austin Film Festival. She earned an MFA in Directing from the AFI Conservatory and was selected as an AFI Awards Audi Scholar. Currently, Andrea is developing her narrative feature film, IN WONDERLAND, based on the short film she wrote and directed in 2022
Bailey Salwey is a cinematographer and photographer originally from Montana. Her career began as a painter and photographer focusing on experimental and alternative processes. She recently graduated from the American Film Institute with a masters degree in cinematography and is living and working in Los Angeles. Bailey strives to push the boundaries of how she views filmmaking and continues her search for humanness within a moving and still image.
WHY contribute?
Things have got to change. It won't be easy or tidy or quick, but we can start by raising awareness---awareness that we all deserve safety. Most importantly, we must encourage empathy. Cinema is one of the most powerful vehicles for empathy. This is also why it is so effective as a tool of propaganda. Storytelling shapes our realities. People act when they feel. We hope this short snippet of life, filled with colorful, familiar, and memorable characters, makes people feel something. And we hope it makes people want to do more to ensure safety for all, especially those we are quick to other.
We know that our film could not be made possible without the support provided by our generous families, friends, and community. We are deeply grateful for all contributions.
SUPPORT OUR FILM
types of donations
- TIER 1: ($0 - $499) “Special Thanks” in our credits for supporting our film
- TIER 2: ($500 - $999) shoutout “Filmmakers Wish To Thank” credit + film poster
- TIER 3: ($1,000 - $4,999) IMDB and on-screen “Associate Producer” credit + film poster + VIP invitation to our premiere
- TIER 4: ($5,000 - $9,999) IMDB and on-screen “Co-Executive Producer” credit + film poster + official ENCUENTRO AMERICANO photo book + VIP invitation to our premiere
- TIER 5: ($10,000 - $19,999) IMDB and on-screen “Executive Producer” credit + film poster + official ENCUENTRO AMERICANO photo book + VIP invitation to our premiere
- TIER 6: ($20,000+) “In Association With” credit in the opening credits of the film for yourself or your production company (which will also be listed on IMDB) + all perks + celebratory dinner with the team!
YOUR DONATION
CREW & LABOR: Your donations help us pay fair wages to our wonderful crew members and cast!
PRODUCTION COSTS: This encompasses everything from our on-set catering and craft services, as well as renting production essentials like tents, walkie talkies, chairs, and any other set-operation supplies we may need. Everyone’s safety and comfort is paramount!
LOCATION: We will be shooting in a fully functional diner for authenticity’s sake. In addition to rental and insurance fees for this location, we will also need to pay for additional parking, security, and a location monitor, as well as COVID safety protocls.
ART DEPARTMENT & COSTUME/MAKE-UP: Although we’ll be working in an actual diner, our wonderful production designer and their art department team will still need to factor in rental fees for additional props, food (and food prep), and any set decorating elements to realize our story. Wardrobe will also be essential to bring our characters to life, especially for our Border Patrol/ICE Agent uniforms.
POST PRODUCTION: Once we’re done shooting, our editor will get busy to have this film in the can as soon as possible. In addition to paying our editor, we will need closed captioning, color grading, and post sound (particularly sound design!) to polish the film and get it ready for festivals and distribution.
FILM FESTIVALS: We plan to submit to as many festivals and showcases as possible! This comes with submission and processing fees that add up quick. Your donations will help us cover this as well as help pay for travel to any festival that accepts our film.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
matching grants
Many companies will match donations made by their employees to non-profit charitable institutions. This can double your donation. Your company’s Human Resources Department will be able to inform you if your employer offers this benefit. If so, please contact us for additional help.
in-kind donations
Anything helps! You can make a contribution to our film by offering goods or services to our team at a discounted rate as well as helping us sharing our film campaign with your community. We appreciate your time and support!.
contact us
Fish head mortuary Productions
EMAIL US AT:
fishheadmortuary@proton.me
encuentroshortfilm@proton.com