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 Border Patrol ICE agents. Hijab-wearing Gen Z students numbly scroll through real-time atrocities---uncertain of the present, uncertain of a future. An exhausted server leaves no mug unfilled. A millennial, uncomfortable in their adulthood, seeks closure from the ex that was “the one”. An elderly war vet finds solace in the warmth of syrup-soaked pancakes amidst 24-hour news cycles and commercial breaks. The atmosphere thickens with the palpable unknown of what may happen next in these slices of life. Who will walk through those diner doors next? Can this greasy, little ecosphere provide protection from sinister external factors born out of extremism and legacies of violence?
Director’s statement
This short film is a recreation of a dream I had involving a diner and a mass shooting. Diners have always felt like sacred spaces to me and I owe a lot to cinema for my romanticization of them. But outside of iconic movie scenes, diners have just always been there. From the Valley suburbs of Los Angeles where I grew up, to all the middle of nowheres out on the road, there is a reliable comfort in the uniform booth seating and all-day breakfast sticky menus. 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, sides of fries for boozed-up nights, lunches spent commiserating in silence, solo afternoons with pie and a sketchbook…I’ve experienced so much of 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 half-way into 2024, there have already been 157 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.
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
CAMPAIGN INCENTIVES
coming soon
- TIER 1: ($0 - $99) social media shoutout + perk
- TIER 2: ($100 - $999) “Filmmakers Wish To Thank” credit + perk +invitation to premiere
- TIER 3: ($1,000 - $4,999) Special Thanks credit + choice of perk + invitation to premiere
- TIER 4: ($5,000 - $9,999) Associate Producer credit + choice of perk + invitation to premiere
- TIER 5: ($10,000 - $19,999) Executive Producer credit + choice of perk + invitation to premiere
- TIER 6: ($20,000+) Co-Production / “In Association With” credit + choice of perk + invitation to premiere & 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