Death in Training

I’m a little late sharing this, but last week I received the amazing news that three of the projects I worked on won the Visionary Award in ReelShort’s Vertical Impact Contest! Yay! I want to thank everyone who watched and voted! It means a lot to us creatives when our community supports us. Thank you! PROJECTS: Death in Training and Vampiñera, I wrote and directed both. SANTOS is my good friend Cynthia’s series. I directed several episodes! @cynthiagwilliams Thank you to my amazing cast & crew Starring: @_jared_trevino @_mariel_matinez @cpa7018 @marilynfitoria @return_of_the_max Written & Directed by: me! Produced By: @fannyvgrande @avenidaproductions Co-Producers: @nelson_grande & @javymontoya DP: @ilianaipesdp 1AD: @javymontoya PD: @xenteven HMU: @wendystylez VFX: @vfx_andrew Music: @joaquinlichtle GF: Dean Campbell KG: @tiarao333 Swing: @visheshpires 1AC: @layneinselman 2AC: @kthompson888 ProdCord: @4cristela Sound: @louieaudio & @alanbalandra Costume: @bebelamonica Makeup: @elitenicolestar VFX: @reidlauff Swing: @jaimetejadadirector Slate: @dystopiandionysus

Last week, a childhood dream came true. ✨ I had the incredible opportunity to screen my short films, Death in Training and Vampiñera, at Universal Studios — yes, the actual movie studio! Ever since I was five years old, I’ve dreamed of making movies. Whenever my parents asked what I wanted for my birthday, I’d say, “Take me to Universal Studios!” because I truly believed that’s where all the magic happened. I remember the studio tours, the behind-the-scenes shows — all of it left a lasting impression on me and shaped the filmmaker I am today. To stand there years later and share my own work in that same place felt surreal. I’m beyond grateful. Huge thanks to Karina, Linda, Vi, and the entire team who made this happen @indigenousnbcu @unidosnbcu & @ypn_nbcu — and to my amazing cast and crew for riding along on this amazing adventure. You all mean the world to me! On to the next one!

Time to rally the troops! 🚨
I need your help! Several of my projects are competing for cash prizes in the ReelShort Contest, and the deadline is this Sunday! There’s no voting button—your “vote” counts when you watch the project all the way through, hit the like and heart button, and share it. That’s it! You can watch on your computer or the ReelShort app—whichever works best for you.
Link in bio! 🎥🔥 Website: /campaign/movie-making-contest-entries PROJECTS: Death in Training and Vampiñera, I wrote and directed both. SANTOS is my good friend @cynthiagwilliams series. I directed several episodes!

Happy to share that the colorist for our short film, Tom Howell, won best color for Death in Training at last week’s @blackmagiccollective Film Fest! Tom lives in Nebraska so I was happy to receive his award on his behalf. Not only did Tom won a trophy he got the full studio software for Da Vinci Resolve as well as a Micro Color Panel!!! I will be shipping it to him this coming week! BMC Film Fest was awesome. It was such a solid block of short films. Jen, you did a great job of curating such a wonderful eclectic string of films and it was such a great honor that Death in Training was part of it! Thank you to all the cast and crew that showed up. We had a blast. Thank you to @blackmagicnewsofficial for all the great prizes. Look forward to submitting next year! We couldn’t do this without our amazing cast and crew! Starring: @_jared_trevino @_mariel_matinez @cpa7018 Written & Directed by: me! Produced By: @fannyvgrande @avenidaproductions Co-Producers: @nelson_grande & @javymontoya DP: @ilianaipesdp 1AD: @javymontoya PD: @xenteven HMU: @wendystylez VFX: @vfx_andrew Color: Tom Howell Music: @joaquinlichtle GF: Dean Campbell KG: @tiarao333 Swing: @visheshpires 1AC: @layneinselman 2AC: @kthompson888 ProdCord: @4cristela Sound: @louieaudio & @alanbalandra #DeathinTraining #MexicanAmerican #Netflix #ShortFilm #LatinosInHollywood #Latino #Chicano #indigenous #Afterlife #DarkComedy #Comedy #MagicalRealism #bmcff2025

Last week one of my dreams came true! I got the chance to screen both of my short films: Death in Training & Vampiñera at DreamWorks! I cannot tell you how happy I felt watching my films in DreamWorks’ theatre. The sound and visuals were beautiful. The 12 yr old in me was ecstatic! I was invited to participate in a speaker series where I share my films and talk with the employees of DreamWorks & NBC Universal. None of this would have been possible without the relentless effort and passion from Linda Powers and her team over at @indigenousnbcu @unidosnbcu & @ypn_nbcu Y’all are miracle workers! Y’all have made me feel like family! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! On to the next one! Thank you to my amazing cast & crew Starring: @_jared_trevino @_mariel_matinez @cpa7018 @marilynfitoria @return_of_the_max Written & Directed by: me! Produced By: @fannyvgrande @avenidaproductions Co-Producers: @nelson_grande & @javymontoya DP: @ilianaipesdp 1AD: @javymontoya PD: @xenteven HMU: @wendystylez VFX: @vfx_andrew Music: @joaquinlichtle GF: Dean Campbell KG: @tiarao333 Swing: @visheshpires 1AC: @layneinselman 2AC: @kthompson888 ProdCord: @4cristela Sound: @louieaudio & @alanbalandra Costume: @bebelamonica Makeup: @elitenicolestar VFX: @reidlauff Swing: @jaimetejadadirector Slate: @dystopiandionysus

I’m happy to share that this past Saturday, Death in Training and Vampiñera won best comedy at the East LA and Panamanian Film Festival! It was such a wonderful night celebrating our culture through folklore dances and films! I was happy to share the stage with some incredible filmmakers! Thank you to Juan and Carlos for sharing the love! And I got a homie sculpture crafted by Juan himself. We showed art on screens and we left with art as well! Orale! Thank you to my amazing cast & crew Starring: @_jared_trevino @_mariel_matinez @cpa7018 @marilynfitoria @return_of_the_max Written & Directed by: me! Produced By: @fannyvgrande avenidaproductions Co-Producers: @nelson_grande & @javymontoya DP: @ilianaipesdp 1AD: @javymontoya PD: @xenteven HMU: @wendystylez VFX: @vfx_andrew Music: @joaquinlichtle GF: Dean Campbell KG: @tiarao333 Swing: @visheshpires 1AC: @layneinselman 2AC: @kthompson888 ProdCord: @4cristela Sound: @louieaudio & @alanbalandra Costume: @bebelamonica Makeup: @elitenicolestar VFX: @reidlauff Swing: @jaimetejadadirector Slate: @dystopiandionysus

I’m thrilled to share that Death in Training is now a Finalist for the BMC Film Fest! Thank you to @blackmagiccollective for picking out the film! This means that we compete to win prizes and awards! The screening will be 10/16/25! The tickets are donation-based; however, all proceeds from ticket sales go to the filmmakers, which is me and the other directors! So, feel free to pay whatever you can! Tix in Bio. When: 10/16/25 Where:  Leammle Theatres | 5240 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 Time: 6:30-9 pm Hope to see you there! We couldn’t do this without our amazing cast and crew! Starring: @_jared_trevino @_mariel_matinez @cpa7018 Written & Directed by: me! Produced By: @fannyvgrande @avenidaproductions Co-Producers: @nelson_grande & @javymontoya DP: @ilianaipesdp 1AD: @javymontoya PD: @xenteven HMU: @wendystylez VFX: @vfx_andrew Music: @joaquinlichtle GF: Dean Campbell KG: @tiarao333 Swing: @visheshpires 1AC: @layneinselman 2AC: @kthompson888 ProdCord: @4cristela Sound: @louieaudio & @alanbalandra #DeathinTraining #MexicanAmerican #Netflix #ShortFilm #LatinosInHollywood #Latino #Chicano #indigenous #Afterlife #DarkComedy #Comedy #MagicalRealism #BMCFF2025

Hey, look at that! Death in Training is a semi-finalist for the BMC Film Fest! Thank you to @blackmagiccollective for picking out the film! Hopefully, we will become a finalist, allowing us to screen at the festival next month! We couldn’t do this without our amazing cast and crew! Starring: @_jared_trevino @_mariel_matinez @cpa7018 Written & Directed by: me! Produced By: @fannyvgrande @avenidaproductions Co-Producers: @nelson_grande & @javymontoya DP: @ilianaipesdp 1AD: @javymontoya PD: @xenteven HMU: @wendystylez VFX: @vfx_andrew Music: @joaquinlichtle GF: Dean Campbell KG: @tiarao333 Swing: @visheshpires 1AC: @layneinselman 2AC: @kthompson888 ProdCord: @4cristela Sound: @louieaudio & @alanbalandra

Happy to share that our film will be screening at the East Los Angeles Film Festival! We’re excited to share this funny dark comedy with all of you! A super thank you to the organisers of the festival for accepting my films! Can’t wait to share my work with the barrio of Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more updates! Date: 10/04/25 Location: La Plaza De Cultura y Artes (501 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) Time: 6 pm-11 pm Red Carpet: 6 pm Oh, and one more thing— the festival is FREE! Click on my bio to get your tickets. We couldn’t do this without our amazing cast and crew! Starring: @_jared_trevino @_mariel_matinez @cpa7018 Written & Directed by: me! Produced By: @fannyvgrande avenidaproductions Co-Producers: @nelson_grande & @javymontoya DP: @ilianaipesdp 1AD: @javymontoya PD: @xenteven HMU: @wendystylez VFX: @vfx_andrew Music: @joaquinlichtle GF: Dean Campbell KG: @tiarao333 Swing: @visheshpires 1AC: @layneinselman 2AC: @kthompson888 ProdCord: @4cristela Sound: @louieaudio & @alanbalandra #DeathinTraining #MexicanAmerican #Netflix #ShortFilm #LatinosInHollywood #Latino #Chicano #indigenous #Afterlife #DarkComedy #Comedy #MagicalRealism #EastLAFilmFestival #EastLA

Hello Beautiful People! I’m excited to share that I have submitted Death in Training to the ReelShort Reel Vertical Impact Contest, which means that if my project wins, I can receive some $$$. All I’m asking y’all to do is watch the short on their app, @reelshortapp like it, heart it, and share with online! The more engagement my work gets, the higher the chances of me winning! ( I think, lol) So, if you haven’t had the opportunity to watch Death in Training, here’s your chance. It’s free! Death in Training: On his first day on the job, a rookie Grim Reaper accidentally takes the wrong soul- and now he must fix his mistake before he’s fired… or worse. Link: /app-video-share/688d0ac91b28ee750803c8d9 The links are also in my bio! Enjoy!

Meet your newest soul collector! Well, maybe not…@deathintraining is back and now streaming on @watchaplustv !! https://watchaplus.tv/ This project means so much to me. So please go check it out, or share!! 🪦⚰️ #fypシ #soulcollector #gothicfantasy #timburtonstyle

Happy to share that you can now watch Death in Training on a new streaming platform called A+ the home for the American Latino! And you can watch the movie for free! That’s right! We are so proud that anyone can watch it now! So, start watching and sharing with your family & friends! You can go to APlusStreaming.com or download the app! Follow @watchaplustv for more updates!