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Logline

Dreams come into conflict with obligations one hectic afternoon, for an immigrant attempting to change her trajectory in life.

Synopsis

Sofia is an aspiring novelist in her late thirties. Despite some setbacks in her recent past, she recently decided she would make a serious attempt at pursuing her dreams before any more time passed.

An immigrant from Peru, Sofia has worked very hard up to this moment; she has been perfecting her writing skills in english, and has slowly been grinding away on her first novel in between working long shifts at her restaurant job.

Eagerly preparing for a promising call from a literary agent, Sofia’s good vibes quickly turn sour when she is suddenly called into work. Not wanting to put her job in jeopardy – her only source of income, Sofia decides to take this most important call during her hectic commute to work. This sets off a series of mishaps and encounters which test Sofia’s spirit, causing her to question whether or not she’s really cut out to pursue her art in her current state of life.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Gustavo Martín Benites Gálvez – Writer/Director/Producer
Gustavo is an award winning Peruvian director based in Chicago, IL. His work has been screened at film festivals around the world and featured on the popular short film website Filmshortage.com. His quirky documentary Fupa, has had great success in underground film festivals around the country, including; Boston Underground Film Festival 2020, Atlanta Underground Film Festival 2021, and Midwest Weirdfest 2021 – where it was awarded “Best Documentary Short”.

The short script for Breathe, was a finalist at Scriptapalooza 2021, and a Quarter-finalist at Hollyshorts 2021. American Underdog, a feature script he co-wrote, was a quarter-finalist at Final Draft’s Big Break 2021, and Bluecat Screenplay competition 2021. Gustavo recently made his feature directorial debut, with American Underdog; the MMA-centered drama stars Danny Trejo (Desperado, Machete), and Veronica Falcón (Ozark, Queen of the South). The film was selected to open the 2024 Santa Fe Film Festival.

Maja Memišević – Producer
Maja is a Chicago based producer with a variety of projects under her belt. She was born in Bosnia where she studied law in Sarajevo, and was also was an active member of the local film and music industries. Passionately seeking to understand herself, and the world around her through film, Maja’s collaborations include talented filmmakers from all over the world, including the USA, Canada, Peru, and Brazil.

When not working on personal projects, Maja contributes her talents and skills to the ever-growing Chicago film industry, working in production on feature films, television, reality shows, and commercials for well-known networks such as Netflix, Amazon, Fox and NBC. Her credits include reality show The Carbonaro Effect (TruTV), and the indie films What They Had (Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon), and more recently, American Underdog (starring Danny Trejo and Veronica Falcón).

Tasnim Hindeyeh – Producer
Tasnim is a Chicago-based filmmaker, photographer, and co-founder of Muslim Creatives, a platform connecting and supporting Muslim artists. Her passion for storytelling is deeply influenced by her upbringing, blending her diverse Palestinian, Mexican, and American cultural perspectives into her work.

Her latest short film Valeria, explores intergenerational trauma in the Hispanic community. The film has garnered international acclaim, screening at prestigious festivals like Festival de Cortos y Largos, as well as at local film festivals like Chicagoland Shorts, and the Summer Spirit of Chicago series.

Producer/Location Manager – Mark Leja
Mark Leja is a Polish-American Location Manager and Producer based in Chicago Illinois. He has worked in a variety Films and Television series including The Chi (Showtime) Shameless (Showtime), Chicago MED (NBC), Work In Progress (Showtime), An Acceptable Loss (IFC Films)

He recently Co-Produced the indie film American Underdog (starring Danny Trejo and Veronica Falcón). When he’s not on set, or scouting for locations. Mark paints miniatures, writes music and plays guitar. In his off time he enjoys road trips, film photography and learning new recipes.

Cinematographer – Derek C. Fisher
Derek C. Fisher is an award-winning cinematographer and film maker based in Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL. His filmography includes Use Your Oui Oui – “ICG Emerging Cinematographer Award” 2016, Fear Not – “Best Narrative Short”, Tallgrass Film Festival 2020, Lupe -“Audience Award”, LA Film Invasion 2020, and American Underdog – “Best Cinematography”, Santa Fe Film Festival 2024.

Derek’s experience and passion for Cinematography is complimented by his work as a camera operator in Films and TV shows such as The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain (MAX), North of the 10 (BET+), Thunder Force (Netflix), Work in Progress (Showtime), The Thing About Harry (Disney+), and Come As You Are (Samuel Goldwyn Films) – which premiered at SXSW.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.