Jorge André Santiago Fernández

Bebo, a teenager from a coastal Puerto Rican town, lives with his brother in a public housing complex. They fish for a living, but growing desperation drives them to illegal dealings that promise easy money. When a job goes wrong and blood is spilled, Bebo flees with Lola, a wealthy girl seeking to escape her troubled reality. As they navigate the labyrinthine mountains, they encounter remnants of a fading way of life, contrasting with the violence that follows them. As hitmen close in, Bebo must confront his choices and decide if redemption is possible, or if the sea will be their final escape. A portrait of the Puerto Rican experience that dives into the complexities of identity, resilience, and colonial legacy, the film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it was honored with Best Cinematography, Best New Director, and the Jury Award. It was also nominated for the prestigious Spirit Awards, solidifying its place as one of the most celebrated Puerto Rican films.

After a hurricane ravages his hometown, a grieving man breaks into an off-limits cemetery to rescue the lost remains of his brother in order to give him a proper burial.

We Are Still Here is a student-made documentary from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus (UPRM) about the lives and experiences of the Peñolanos from Barrio Rucio and adjacent communities who have resisted generations of adversities due to their geographical location and at the hands of the Puerto Rican government. Centered on resistance and collective care among communities, this inaugural documentary produced by the Oral History Lab at UPRM and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities showcases how community work by projects like Aula en la Montaña and organizations like Impacto Juventud GC Inc. demonstrate that strength lies in union and that true healing occurs through mutual accompaniment between community and volunteers.

The Water Protectors is a student-made documentary pilot that briefly explores the topics of hyper development, unregulated sewage disposal, contamination, climate change, and community action in the west coast of Puerto Rico through initiatives led by Surfrider Foundation Rincón—an organization that works alongside volunteers to study, preserve, and defend local water sources through education, activism and community partnerships.

In 1950s Puerto Rico, Luz confronts the loss of her baby in silence while trying to reconstruct her life in a society determined to make and judge all of her decisions.

Based on the prologue of When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago, this short film narrates the experience of Esmeralda, a young woman who, upon coming across a familiar object in the supermarket, navigates a sea of memories, recounting her early experiences in Puerto Rico. Through her senses, she awakens fleeting diasporic feelings.