By Pedro Osuna, executive director of Tré-Ch(é) Short Fest Internacional
(September 2009)

There are a lot of talented filmmakers who never get a chance to show their work. I believe this is our loss as much as theirs and I wanted to help rectify this state of affairs.

I have to say, though, that this dream really started when I was about six years old. I used to come home from school and see my grandmother, sitting in the living room, crying and laughing with the old, black-and-white films of Pedro Infante, a well-known actor from Mexican film's Golden Age.

So, with a budget of zero and tireless help from my co-producer, Felipa Lerma, Tré-Ch(é) Short Fest '09 Internacional (September 3-5) was created to expose, promote and support Independent film - strictly indies. I think the independent artists deserve tremendous credit in being able to make a creative explosion out of a no-money budget.

Tré-Ch(é) Short Fest '09 Internacional
Sept. 3-5 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Within a month of announcing our festival, we received great response from not only Latin American countries like Chile and Colombia but also from Italy, France, Spain and Russia. This came about largely through a short film fest entry on the Internet and different sites showcasing the event on their Web pages, and with major help from Mexico's yearly Chicali Film Fest. We are providing exposure to independent artists who are not able to afford other outlets. We also received more than 100 other entries that have already been recognized with film awards - we feel privileged to screen these films and proud that the filmmakers considered Tré-Ch(é) as important as the major festivals where they had won their awards.

Another goal we have for Tré-Ch(é) is for it to be a bridge between cultures. The films are subtitled - if the film is in English, it is subtitled in Spanish; if it is in Spanish, then it is subtitled in English. It's important to us to connect with a diverse audience and bring wider attention to the film movement being created in many parts of Latin America - most, but not all, of which are bilingual - in order to have a more effective response from as many members of the independent film community as possible. And I would love for this festival to travel to different areas of Arizona.

Tré-Ch(é) Short Fest '09 Internacional hopes to uncover and spotlight the vibrant movement of independent film groups that find a way to start their project in spite of lack of funds. Many barter for crews, equipment and talent; there are not many opportunities for sponsorships or grants, and therefore they turn to carwashes, fundraisers and soliciting donations. We want to help promote more festivals and film events that will give opportunities to the independent talent who are, many times, gems in the rough. 

Fear is one of the biggest obstacles for many community arts organizers to overcome in beginning the process of such independent events; to us, the secret is to begin with the passion in your heart and the rest will follow. When we began, many people did not want to support or believe in the event, but several community art supporters and sponsors were able to assist with some of the festival's basic needs for a successful turnout. We feel that was because this event never lost its purpose and maintained its freshness and passion to expose and support many independent films from Latin America. 

Two big names in Mexican film are joining us. Filmmaker Carlos Muñoz, whose "Nación Apache" (which we are screening) won Mexico's prestigious Ariel Award, has been very giving to the indie events that can showcase underground efforts to project change and culture. And Felipe Tututi, a very talented actor and creator in Mexico willing to share his passion for theater to a diverse audience, will not only offer a theater workshop but will share with us a first-time presentation of his monologue Fotomatón. They did not think twice about helping us out, and they have supported the cause to the full extent. 

And we are excited to introduce an amazing piece of audiovisual new-age content and classic experience all in one: Cine Bolero, sponsored by Chicali Film Fest. In this specially modified shoe-shine cart, guests will be able to watch an independent short animation from France and Russia while getting their shoes shined! 

See a film and get a shine in Cine Bolero

Thanks to this event, many filmmakers are receiving the exposure they need and we are cultivating a seed of interest in the U.S. for the independent art from young Latin American and Arizona filmmakers.

Tré-Ch(é) Short Fest '09 Internacional runs Sept. 3-5 in Tempe, Ariz. Tré-Ch(é)'s farewell for 2009 will be celebrated Saturday night with a 9 o'clock reception and special performance from Raizez y Matizez, an independent Latin group from California who will share their Latin and Andean beats with us.

Photos courtesy of Tré-Ch(é)
Photo (top) Pedro Osuna