Synopsis: In the summer of 2008, Santi lived a carefree lifestyle with his hometown friends. Over their long friendship, Santi has become more infatuated with his best friend, Dylan. However, an unexpected tragedy changes the trajectory of their lives. Leaving Santi struggling with his sense of reality and self-acceptance.

Andrew Perez, jared Palomares

Bio:

Jared Palomares is a filmmaker, writer, director, and content creator from McAllen, Texas. Jared studies film production and mass communication at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he continues to grow as a young filmmaker with comedy sketches, skits, and short films and as a Student Media reporter for KVAQ-TV. Before college, Jared attended Sharyland High School where he found his passion in film and video production. There, he created shorts, documentaries, and promotions for the high school marching and concert bands. After graduating in 2020, he went straight into the world of film and entertainment as his passion for sharing stories flourished during the pandemic. Jared tackles stories about long-lost love, psychology, trauma, drama, and real-world topics, including gun violence, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. He continues to create stories during his college and professional career.

Andrew Perez, a Houston native, first began shooting and creating short films at a young age, which would later grow into a passion and career. Recently graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, he has worked on numerous student projects as a cinematographer, director, and editor. Throughout the years, he has become an acclaimed cinematographer at Rio Grande Valley, and his ambition is to work in the professional film industry as a Director of Photography while also producing his own films.

Statement:

Gun violence is currently the leading cause of death among young Americans as of 2020, including school shootings, gang violence, stray bullets, and police brutality. This issue, along with recent legislation in Texas regarding drag shows and transgender healthcare, has created an uncomfortable political atmosphere for LGBTQ+ rights and the safety for young people. These two issues were important for us to address in our story. During the early 2000’s, before same sex marriage was protected by the federal government, being within the LGBTQ+ community was not necessarily as accepted as it is today. Films from that era inspired the style Hit Astray, from the clothing to their demeanor and to the subtle references. The concept of a coming-of-age film resonated with us when creating this story about these two young men and their unspoken love. Our inspiration for the realistic dialogue in our film was complemented by the influence of other coming-of-age films in capturing the essence of romance and unspoken love between our lead characters. Hit Astray is a story about long-lost love, gun violence and for those who need to be true to themselves before it's too late. In a world of uncertainty and cruelty, it is our responsibility to uphold beauty, peace, and equality.