Burros is a 2021 American short drama film written and directed by Jefferson Stein and starring a cast of first-time actors from the Tohono O'odham Nation where it is set. Eva Longoria serves as an executive producer.
The film held its world premiere at the 20th Annual Tribeca Film Festival on June 18, 2021, and won the Jury Award in the Live Action Short category at the 25th Annual New York International Children's Film Festival qualifying it for the 95th Annual Academy Awards.
Plot After her father, a Tohono O'odham tracker, leaves for work assisting the United States Border Patrol on the Mexico–U.S. border, Elsa, a six-year-old Tohono O'odham girl, finds a Hispanic migrant her age, separated from her father as she crossed the border into the United States. Unable to communicate, Elsa takes her through her community in Sells, Arizona and ultimately to her grandmother, Gagi, who speaks Spanish, English, and O'odham and bridges the language barrier.
Cast
Amaya Juan as Elsa Zuemmy Carrillo as Ena Virginia Patricio as Gagi Rupert Lopez as Joe Armondo 'Mondo' Gonzales as Mondo Michael Geronimo as Beatboxer Carlos Chico as Beatboxer
Production
Development and pre-production Jefferson Stein researched the Tohono O’odham Nation for two years and worked with the community on the subject matter of the film. He and the producers lived on the reservation during pre-production. Stein further explained this, by saying: "Awareness is the first thing. There were hundreds of stories that I heard while I was there that inspired moments of this project." The film is told over a 24-hour period, ending where it starts, done to highlight the cyclical nature of the separation of families at the border.
The film was developed through fiscal sponsorship by Film Independent.
Casting The actors in the film had not acted before. Amaya Juan was discovered through the local Toka team, the women-only sport she plays in the film. Zuemmy Carrillo was cast during lunch at a Bilingual elementary school in nearby Tucson.
Filming Principal photography took place over four days on the Tohono O'odham Nation Reservation.
Release The film had its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 18, 2021.
Awards and nominations YearAwardFilm FestivalRecipientsResult2021Best Short FilmRhode Island International Film FestivalBurrosBest Narrative Short - Jury AwardSidewalk Film FestivalBest Short FilmHollyShorts Film FestivalBest Short Film - PanoramaTirana International Film FestivalBest Narrative Short - Grand Jury PrizeNashville Film FestivalNAHCC's Best Hispanic Film at Nashville Film Festival AwardBest Short Film - Live ActionEdmonton International Film FestivalBest Narrative Short - Jury AwardPortland Film FestivalBest Narrative Short FilmBendFilm FestivalBest Narrative Short - Audience ChoiceSanta Fe Independent Film FestivalInternational Competition - Best Short FilmKerry Film FestivalJury Prize for Outstanding Ensemble CastTallgrass Film FestivalCast of BurrosBest International Short FilmEvolution Mallorca International Film FestivalBurrosPronck Shorts Competition AwardLeiden International Film FestivalBest Short Fiction FilmLeeds International Film FestivalBest Live Action Short FilmChicago International Children's Film Festival2022Best International FilmMinimalen Short Film FestivalJury FavoriteNitehawk Shorts FestivalAudience Award (ages 10+)New York International Children's Film FestivalJury Award Live Action Short FilmBest Short Film AwardMiami International Film FestivalBest Dramatic ShortArizona International Film FestivalOfficial Competition supported by Sony - Best Short AwardShort Shorts Film Festival & AsiaMaremetraggio Competition - Best Short FilmShorTS International Film FestivalBest Indigenous FilmCordillera International Film FestivalBest Dramatic Short - 2nd Runner UpWoods Hole Film FestivalMoonwalker Short Award - Best Short FilmNòt Film FestBest Narrative Short - Jury AwardAlbuquerque Film & Music ExperienceBest Short Film - Audience AwardIndie Street Film FestivalShorts Spotlight: Best of ShowSCAD Savannah Film FestivalNew Wave Jury: Runner UpCornwall Film FestivalBest Live Action Short FilmRNCI Red Nation AwardsRed Nation Honors: Film Consultant Award - Larry ‘Bear’ Wilson for BurrosLarry 'Bear' WilsonBest Short Film - Teenage JuryCinemagic Film Festival - BelfastBurros
References
External links
Official Site