Mexico: Adventist students to compete in international film festival

“Al Cristo Crucificado” or “The Crucified Christ” short film will be featured in Mexico’s Guanajuato International Film Festival. Image by Courtesy of Hellen Hernandez

July 19, 2012 – Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico…Libna Stevens/IAD

In a few days, a team of students from the Adventist-operated Montemorelos University will participate in Guanajuato’s 15th International Film Festival (GIFF) competition, in the historic city of Guanajuato, in Mexico. The students came about after by Hellen Hernandez, a third-year communication major in Montemorelos University, submitted a script for the University Rally “short expression” category earlier this year.

Hernandez’s script entitled “The Crucified Christ” made the list of eight finalists among the 165 script entries submitted to the category from 22 states in Mexico. Guanajuato’s international film festival draws thousands of young cinematographers in Latin America to compete and feature their films each year. Last year, the film festival counted more than 2,000 film entries from 108 countries, which drew over 90,000 people and featured 400 films during the 10-day event.

This year, GIFF will be held July 20 -29, 2012 and is one that has Montemorelos University leaders and students pleased for the achievement.

“We are very glad that our students,on their own initiative, are participating in this venture,” said Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University. “They have a golden opportunity to witness in a world which may not always appreciate Christian values, so we are supporting their efforts.”

Hernandez, 21, who has always had a love for film, said she was elated when she found out her script made it into the semi-finalists list and later to the final list of eight. She praised God for the inspiration during an April press conference in Mexico City where the finalists were announced.

The competition will take finalists in the short expression category like Hernandez and her nine-member crew to complete filming and post-production of the short film in high definition in the course of 48 hours in the city of Guanajuato, beginning on Saturday, July 22.

It is a competition which has Hernandez a little nervous about presenting a Christian message in a predominantly Catholic city but excited to have the opportunity to feature the only faith-based message in the category.

“I want to arouse curiosity for the theme as well as leave a clear point, to put faith and trust in the correct place and person,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez, who has born into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, said that as soon as her script made it to the finals, she notified GIFF managers that her team would begin their filming after sundown, which meant her team would have to complete the work in 41 hours instead of 48.

Hernandez and her student crew are not worried about having seven less hours to complete the film and upholding their Sabbath observance convictions. Instead, they will worship at the nearby Seventh-day Adventist Church in the morning and participate in several church activities during the afternoon, she said.

Hellen Hernandez (center) holds camera with her filming crew as they scout for locations for the film competition in Guanajuato, Mexico. Image by Courtesy of Hellen Hernandez

“We are not worried,” said Hernandez, who is also directing the film. “We have God on our side, so we consider that an advantage.”

During the past three months, Hernandez and her crew have participated in workshops and seminars required by GIFF, met with the professional actors, and scouted locations in Guanajuato.

“It’s been a challenge to cover workshops, travel and other expenses these last few months,” said Hernandez, “but God has provided every step of the way with the support of our university and donations which have allowed us to be part of this opportunity.”

The competition for the 4th University Rally segment in the Guanajuato’s International Film Festival will take place Jul. 22-24, 2012. Results of the competition will be presented later next week.

For updates on the event visit “Al Cristo Crucificado” (The Crucified Christ) Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/alcristo.crucificado.1