The Baja Californian short film “Ángel”, directed and starring by Hoze Meléndez and produced by Marla Arreola, has been chosen to be part of the Short Film Corner of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, which will take place from May 14 to 25 in France, within the digital program of the Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF).

The Short Film Corner serves as a space where the main representatives of the international film industry converge, as well as an unparalleled experience for talented Mexican filmmakers to exhibit their work, who will be able to present their work as directors and interact with personalities from the film industry.

The short film portrays Ángel (Meléndez), a lonely sex worker, who has become the object of inspiration for Lu (Grecia Ricart), a young homosexual plastic artist. The surprise of this infatuation will transform into a painful farewell that will teach Lu that letting go and letting go is the purest act of love.

“Ángel” had its premiere at the Brussels Short Film Festival. It won the award for Best Mexican Short Film at the Guanajuato International Film Festival; the Press Award at the Shorts México Festival; Best Mexican Fiction Short Film by the International Queer Film Festival Playa del Carmen; and Best Performance at the LGBT Toronto Film Festival.

The short film had support from the Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE), and was filmed in various locations in Tijuana, Baja California, while the team of talent, technicians and creatives was made up of professionals from the State and Mexico City. The cinematography was in charge of Iván Hernández AMC, while the production design by Jorge Iván Sanders, the sound recording by Ricardo Carreño, the makeup and costume design by Ariel León Castro and the editing by Gilberto González Penilla.

The director and protagonist has worked mainly as an actor. In 2017, he received the Ariel Award from the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences for Best Supporting Actor for his participation in “Almacenados” by Jack Zagha. In addition to receiving two subsequent nominations in the same category for his work in “Sueño en Otro Idioma” by Ernesto Contreras and “Mente Revólver” by Alejandro Ramírez Corona, respectively. “Ángel” is his first short film as a screenwriter and director.

*Press released shared by the production team.