U.S. Short Film, 6 minutes, Rio Grande ValleyPremiere

Nominee: Best U.S. Short Film

Synopsis:

In a sleepy town, an ancient owl known as La Lechuza swoops down on Fern's humble abode, then transforms into Primitiva, an immortal, witchy owl woman. Enter Chello, an overeager Lechuza-in-training, crashing the hunt. Chaos ensues as Fern turns the owl-witches against each other with a dash of wit and a pinch of salt. As tempers flare and feathers fly, Chello finds her voice against the critical Primitiva. But when Primitiva refuses to retire from her South Texas post, Chello questions her future as a fearsome Lechuza in Rio Grande Valley.

Lainnie Contreras Felán

Bio:

Lainnie Contreras Felán is a Mexican American filmmaker from Robstown, Texas, currently living in Los Angeles. She is best known for her award winning Latinx Sci-Fi Comedy web series Couch Potato Chronicles. Lainnie is a member of the Los Angeles Female Playwrights Initiative, a Read Latinx Writers Initiative Alum, a Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today Fellow (2024), and a WIF Los Angeles Fellow (2025). Lainnie weaves offbeat tales with Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Supernatural elements, grounding them in the vibrant, authentic voices of her beloved, hardworking Latinx community.