FUEGO (2022)
22-Minute Award-Winning Short Film
Festival Recognition
Selected to screen at over 18 film festivals across the United States, including the New York Latino Film Festival, Micheaux Film Festival, San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Houston Latino Film Festival, and San Diego Latino Film Festival.
Winner: Best Screenplay – International Conch Shell Film Festival 22’
Winner: Best Screenplay – Official Latino Film Festival (now NVISION Latino)
Quarterfinalist – ScreenCraft Short Film Competition 22’
Micheaux Film Festival (2022) Nominated: Outstanding Music 22’
Lusca Fantastic Film Festival (2022) Puerto Rico
Nominated: Best Short Film
Nominated: Best Director (Edwin FrankO)
Nominated: Best Actor (Edwin FrankO)
San Diego Film Awards (2023)
WINNER: Spirit of San Diego Award
WINNER: Best Original Score
NOMINATED: Best Narrative Short
NOMINATED: Best Direction
NOMINATED: Best Actor
NOMINATED: Best Production Design
Why I Created This Film
I created FUEGO for the people I love. I struggled to help my family and friends believe they could grow, but I knew they would watch this. So I poured my heart into the film, hoping it would inspire them to find and follow their own passion. Along the way, it ended up helping me discover mine.
Synopsis
Set on New Year’s Eve, FUEGO (2022) follows Gio, a guarded bartender who recounts the story of how a salsa class—and a lie from his brother—sparked an unexpected journey. Through the backdrop of family tension and romantic possibility, Gio must ask himself what it truly means to carry on his father’s passion, and whether he’s brave enough to chase his own.
The Journey Continues
What started as a short film became a life-changing journey. Creating FUEGO led me to learn salsa dancing, reconnect with my culture, and eventually write FUEGO the feature film, which later won Best Screenplay at the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival and became a finalist at Urbanworld.