E R I S
Narrative short film, 2025 - 16 min.
A smart speaker sparks tensions between a couple expecting their first child.
Written & directed by Juan Urgell
Genre: Dark Comedy/sci-fi
Countries: Mexico-Venezuela
Instagram: @eris_shortfilm
Currently submitting to film festivals worldwide.
A PLACE SO SAVAGE
Narrative short film in postproduction
Yorman, a young Venezuelan migrant, confronts the chilling reality of Mexico's immigration system when detained upon arrival at the capital's airport. Subjected to relentless questioning, Yorman is thrust into the dreaded "little room", a bright enclosed place where the harrowing plight of dozens of migrants unfolds before him. Surrounded by a web of corrupt practices, Yorman is forced to make a difficult decision, pushing him into a journey of unimaginable consequences.
Written & directed by Juan Urgell
Genre: Fantasy drama / Psychological horror
Awards:
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Semi-Finalist at the Shore Scripts' Short Film Fund 2023
(Top 3% among +1600 worldwide script submissions)
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Guayaquil Lab 2023 (Ecuador)
A POET IN THE DARK
Short documentary, 2021 - 19 min.
In the Mexican valleys of Oaxaca, a blind elderly craftsman creates immense human sculptures with his bare hands, as the moonlight embellishes his simple yet poetic vision of the world.
Written & directed by Juan Urgell
Production companies: Altamira Cinema & Films Austeres
Countries: México-Venezuela
Instagram: @a_poet_inthedark
Awards:
Audience Award - Utah Arts Festival (Fear No Film Festival) 2022, USA
Best Documentary Short Film - International Documentary Film Festival AcampaDoc 2022, Panama
Best Cinematography - Seattle Latino Film Festival 2021, USA
Best Short Documentary, Best Screenplay & Best Original Soundtrack - Venezuelan Cinema Festival 2022, Venezuela
Honorable Mention - Barquisimeto Film Festival 2023, Venezuela
Official Selections:
21st International Film Festival RADIO CITY 2023, Spain
12th Paracinéfagos Film & Art Festival at the Border 2022, Venezuela
17th Mexico City International Documentary Film Festival DocsMx 2022
22nd Nevada City Film Festival 2022, USA
43rd CineFestival San Antonio 2022, USA
8th National Short Film Competition A Corto Plazo 2022, Venezuela-France
11th Oriente Between Long and Short Films Festival ELCO 2021, Venezuela
9th San Luis Potosí International Film Festival 2021, Mexico
3rd ISTMO International Film Showcase MIC 2021, Mexico
17th Monterrey International Film Festival ficmonterrey 2021, Mexico
(World Premiere)
BLEEDING GOLD
Short documentary, 2022 - 15 min.
In the southeastern region of Venezuela, officially known as the Orinoco Mining Arc, an unprecedented ecocide is occurring, where a complex criminal network with transnational characteristics is in operation. Its consequences massively harm the environment and the human rights of dozens of indigenous communities, leading to a historic environmental catastrophe hidden within the lungs of the planet.
Directed by Thaelman Urgelles & Juan Urgell
Production companies: Altamira Cinema & Films Austeres
Country: Venezuela
Instagram: @orodesangre
Awards:
Best Short Documentary Award - Films For The Forest 2023, USA
(with Richard Linklater presiding over the jury)
Best Short Documentary & Best Environmental Short Film - International Short Film Festival “Manuel Trujillo Durán“ 2023, Venezuela
Official Selections:
21st Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2023, USA
22nd Wales One World Film Festival 2023, UK
4th Victory International Film Festival 2023, USA
9th Quotes from the Earth Film Festival 2022, India
New Haven Documentary Film Festival 2022, USA
PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT
AK'MAJEL (Fighter)
Feature film in development
Cristian, an indigenous young man struggling with an undiagnosed mental disorder, trains to become a professional mixed martial arts fighter. When Andrés, a Spanish filmmaker, films his training, Cristian will use the camera to bring his deepest fantasy to life.
Written & directed by Juan Urgell
Country: México
Duration: 70 min.
Participation in Workshops and writing Labs:
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Writing Grant from Mexico's National Fund for the Arts and Culture (FONCA), 2024
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Storylines Lab - Cine Qua Non Lab 2024 (Mexico)
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American Film Showcase 2020 (USA)
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Sundance Institute Documentary Filmmaking Course 2019 (USA)
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Plataforma MX 2018 (Mexico)