A diverse mix of horror, comedy, drama and experimental short films make up this year’s Local Flavor showcase at the 12th annual El Paso Community Foundation Plaza Classic Film Festival.

A total of 13 projects were selected from a field of 36 submissions by area filmmakers or filmmakers who made their project in the El Paso-Juarez-Las Cruces borderlands.

“One thing became apparent in this year’s Local Flavor submissions – the borderland is evolving in its cinematic dialogue – technically and artistically,” Zach Passero, filmmaker and Local Flavor co-curator said. “There is a breadth and growth shown in this years’ pool of shorts. It is something that one hopes to see in a flourishing film community - a variety of stories, genres, voices, and perspectives; each with a unique tilt that feels of this region. Most importantly, I think this year’s audience will have a surprising and entertaining ride.

“This year’s submissions to the Plaza Classic shorts program have been absolutely stellar. There is a much more eclectic variety of genres, tones and styles which is a clear indicator that the El Paso film scene is beginning to bloom into a full on movement,” said co-curators and filmmaker Lucky McKee. “The Plaza Classic is a crucial ally in this movement, giving these artists a wonderful platform to share their fresh and exciting cinematic voices.”

The films will be split into two programs in the Philanthropy Theatre, one on Saturday, August 3, the other on Saturday, August 10. The series will culminate with the second Local Flavor Awards at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 11 in the Foundation Room, 333 N. Oregon.

Local Flavor is sponsored by the Texas Film Commission. The Local Flavor Awards are sponsored by the Public Relations Association of the Southwest.

This year’s selections (and directors) are:

Program I
7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 3
Philanthropy Theatre
$4
• Pozole, comedy (Jessica Mendez Siqueiros, Jenn Garcia Productions)
• Daytrip, spoken word/experimental (Robert Dugan, Jenn Garcia Productions)
• One Last Scare, horror (Dakota Thomas)
• Precognition, horror/thriller (Jesse Fraire, JonGon Productions)
• Barksky & Muttch, comedy (Skyler Carreon)
• Until Death Tear Us Apart, horror (Carlos H. Tejeda)
Filmmaker Q&A to follow.
Sponsored by the Texas Film Commission

Program II
7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 10
Philanthropy Theatre
$4
• Hasta La Vista, drama/sci-fi (Dubeth Ramferi Cortez)
• Worlds Away, experimental/music (Brandon Gass)
• La Vida Silenciosa, drama/comedy (J. Genaro Limon)
• Doll House For Rent, horror (Luis Gamboa Camarena)
• Detective General Emma, comedy (Keith Pullen)
• Something Magical, drama (Yeraldin Balcazar)
• Parallel Lines, dance/documentary (Allison Walsh)
Filmmaker Q&A to follow.
Sponsored by the Texas Film Commission

Local Flavor Awards
2 p.m. Sunday, August 11
Foundation Room, 333 N. Oregon
FREE
A total of $1,750 will be awarded this year — a $1,000 first prize, $500 second prize and $250 “Audience Flavorite Award,” which will be voted on by ballot during the two programs in the Philanthropy Theatre. The winners will be announced at the Local Flavor Awards and their winning entries will be shown, along with winners from this year’s El Paso Film Commission El Paso 2-Day Movie Challenge.
Sponsored by the Public Relations Association of the Southwest

Local Flavor is the region’s largest showcase of locally made and connected films in a variety of genres.

Returning curators are El Paso filmmakers Zach Passero, whose labor-of-love animated film The Weird Kidz, created with his wife, Hannah, is due later this year. His other credits include The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot, Wicked Lake, and Motel Glimpse. Zach has been involved with the Plaza Classic Film Festival since it began in 2008.

He’s joined by frequent collaborator Lucky McKee, who directed the upcoming psychological thriller Kindred Spirits, and produced The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot. Other directing credits include the cult favorites The Woods and The Woman. He first appeared at PCFF with his All Cheerleaders Die in 2014.

The Plaza Classic Film Festival celebrates its 12th anniversary August 1-11, 2019 in and around the Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso. Click here for a schedule. Tickets are on sale at the Plaza Theatre Box Office and Ticketmaster.com.