Ajyal Film Festival 2021

Ajyal Film Festival 2022

Burros

Ajyal Competition - Ajyal Film Festival 2022

Jefferson Stein / United States of America / 2021 / 15 min / Colour / Unknown / In English, O'odham, Spanish / Arabic, English subtitles
Themes : Drama, Immigration
Rated: Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.

Description

In southern Arizona, twenty miles from the Mexico border, a young Indigenous girl discovers a Hispanic migrant her age who has been separated from her father while travelling through the Tohono O’odham tribal lands into the United States. Unable to communicate, Elsa takes her through her community and ultimately to her grandmother, Gagi, who speaks Spanish and bridges the language barrier. ‘Burros’ is an emotional story set in a complicated place in the world, but at its core, it is a story about finding connection.

Director

Jefferson Stein

Jefferson Stein is a filmmaker from Texas, based in Los Angeles. His short film, ‘Tumble Dry Low’, screened at Seattle, Maryland, and Tallinn Black Nights and was selected for the Shoot New Directors Showcase. His follow-up, ‘Burros’, produced by Film Independent Spirit Award winner Liz Cardenas, was awarded a Film Independent fiscal sponsorship, premiered at Tribeca 2021, won Best Narrative Short at Santa Fe IFF, Sidewalk, Arizona, and New York ICFF, qualifying for the Live Action Short Oscar® at the 95th Academy Awards®.

Credits

Screenwriter
Jefferson Stein
Producer
Liz Cardenas, Russell Sheaffer, Jefferson Stein, Douglas Riggs
Cinematographer
Cole Graham
Editor
R. Brett Thomas
Music
Amanda Jones
Cast
Amaya Juan, Zuemmy Carrillo, Virginia Patricio