Director: Sachin Dheeraj Mudigonda 

An ex-veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan as an electrician is now impacting students’ lives by blowing bubbles in the University every Monday. They call him “The Bubbleman.” 

First Generation 

Director: Aaron Chávez 

An astronaut on a spacecraft bound for Mars reflects on the significance of her mission, the cosmos, and the future of humanity. 

Cake 

Director: Esmeralda Hernandez 

With an increase of immigration sweeps happening around Austin, Texas, a first-generation Mexican-American child named Ana, struggles with having an “American childhood.” As her 7th birthday approaches, she can’t think about birthday cake or piñatas, she can only focus on her fears for her family’s future. 

This Feels Like a Setup 

Director: Patrick Higgins 

More than 800,000 DACA recipients live and work through waves of uncertainty and fear, and under an administration that is openly hostile towards immigrant communities. THIS FEELS LIKE A SETUP is a short documentary about what it means to be DACAmented during the first two years of the Trump presidency. 

West of Leona 

Director: Christopher James Thompson 

The story of a man, his motorcycle, and the unforgiving terrain of West Texas. 

Plane Pretend 

Director: Sharon Arteaga 

Pilar and her brothers are ecstatic to take their first flight, but they must hide their excitement or risk revealing their undocumented status and being deported. 

Cantina 

Director: Erik Mauck, Daniel Reyes, Paul Del Bosque 

CANTINA tells the story of La Perla, one of the last Tejano bars in East Austin, and offers a glimpse into the community’s rich and vibrant history and the impact of gentrification on long-time residents. As rapid urban development has forced many of East Austin established businesses to shut down, La Perla remains open and continues to serve the community with barbecue benefits, football tailgates, school supply drives, and softball team sponsorships.

Filmmakers in attendance