This selection of five films reflects the heart and sould of the Day of the Dead Tradition. It includes a documentary feature film by iconic director Lourdes Portillo, three shorts by Watsonville filmmakers, and an experimental film produced by Los Cenzontley Cultural Academy. Enjoy! Esta selección de cinco películas refleja la parte esencial de la tradición de Día de Muertos. Incluye un documental de la reconocita directora Lourdes Portillo, tres cortos de cineastas locales y un film experimental producido por Los Cenzontles. ¡Qué las disfruten!

The classic documentary by award-winning Director Lourdes Portillo offers a personal look at the Mexican celebration of the dead, the sacred days when the souls of the departed return to visit the living. Tracing the Days of the Dead tradition from its roots in Indigenous culture to its manifestations in contemporary Chicano communities, this unconventional and visually arresting documentary contemplates the loving and sometimes humorous Mexican cultural attitudes toward “that constant companion,” death. [50 min. In Spanish &amp; English w English subtitles. All Ages] Este documental clásico de la premiada directora Lourdes Portillo presenta una mirada personal a la celebración mexicana de Día de Muertos, días sagrados cuando las almas de los difuntos regresan a visitar a los vivos. Haciendo un recorrido desde sus raíces en la cultura indígena hasta sus manifestaciones en comunidades chicanas, este documental poco convencional y visualmente llamativo contempla las actitudes culturales amorosas y algunas veces cómicas hacia "esa compañera constante" que es la muerte. [50 min. En español con subtítulos en inglés. Para todas las edades]

* La Ofrenda: The Days of the Dead

Living Altars is an intimate short film by directing duo Peggy Peralta and Lourdes Figueroa portraying wearable Day of the Dead altars of two artists, Marie-Astrid Do-Rodriguez and Eli Reyes in their pandemic-era "living installations". The visually stunning film depicts the artists wearing their altars, created with mixed media, while narrating stories of family, grief and consolation. Altares Vivientes es un cortometraje íntimo dirigido por Peggy Peralta y Lourdes Figueroa que retrata los altares de las artistas Marie-Astrid Do-Rodriguez y Eli Reyes en sus "instalaciones vivientes" de la pandemia. El deslumbrante film muestra a las artistas ataviadas con sus altares, creados usando una variedad de artes populares, mientras narran historias de familia, luto y consuelo.

* Living Altars

Ruby Vasquez is a local educator, dancer with Esperanza del Valle and founder of Estrellas de Esperanza youth folkloric group. In this short, she shares her insights and hopes about Día de los Muertos. Ruby Vasquez se dedica a la educación, es integrante de Esperanza del Valle y fundadora de Estrellas de Esperanza, un grupo folklórico juvenil. En este cortometraje habla sobre sus ideas y esperanzas sobre Día de los Muertos.

Altar Maker: Ruby Vasquez

Consuelo Alba, director and co-founder of the Watsonville Film Festival. In this short film she shares stories about celebrating Day of the Dead in her hometown Mexico City while building an ofrenda in honor of her beloved parents. Consuelo Alba es la directora y co-fundadora del Festival de Cine de Watsonville. En este corto Consuelo comparte historias acerca de Día de Muertos en su natal Ciudad de México mientras hace una ofrenda en honor de sus amados padres.

Altar Maker: Consuelo Alba

Maria Rebecca Moreno, director of the White Hawk Aztec Dancers, talks about the importance of instilling the Day of the Dead tradition in the younger generation. Maria Rebecca Moreno, directora de los Danzantes White Hawks, habla sobre la importancia de inculcar la tradición de Día de Muertos en las nuevas generaciones.

Altar Maker: Maria Rebecca Moreno

Ofrendas y Altares

Virtual Admission

Watsonville Film Festival Presents: Ofrendas y Altares

Donation to {{name}}

Donate

Gift Cards

These are all the passes tied to your account. Now, use our online schedule to reserve tickets. You can access your tickets via {{my_tickets_link|"My Tickets"}} or via the PDFs attached to each ticket order confirmation email. {{buy_pass_link|Looking to buy more passes?}}

These are all your purchased tickets. Open this page on your phone, and at the door tap the "Show Barcode" button and show your screen to the attendant. Prefer paper? Print the PDF attached to the order confirmation email, or click one of the gears below and select "Download tickets PDF". If purchasing multiple tickets, be sure to print or show each unique ticket barcode.

None available

Passes

Explore our on-demand catalog here, and head over to the {{livestreams|Live Streams}} tab to see what's coming up.

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No sweat. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.