Morelia International Film Festival

Synopsis:

A hostile environment is a difficult to overcome for two misfits, a cycle of abuse and exploitation in the midst of desolation.

Screenwriter: Juan José Medina

Producer: Ana de la Rosa Zamboni, Juan José Medina, Rita Basulto

Production Company: CONACULTA-IMCINE

Cinematographer: Juan José Medina

Editor: Uri Espinosa

Production Designer: Rita Basulto

Sound: Miguel Hernández Montero, Mario Martínez Cobos

Music: : Alfredo Sánchez, Ángel López Chávez

Filmography: El octavo día, la creación (2000)

Awards: Mejor Cortometraje de Animación, Mejor Cortometraje de la Academia Jalisciense de Cinematografía, Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara, 2009.

Director's Cut

Jaulas
Juan José Medina

Is this your first time at the Morelia International Film Festival?
Yes. It’s the first time.

2.  Is the 7th Morelia International Film Festival the first festival your film has participated in? If not, please describe the film’s trajectory at other festivals and the recognition it may have received? For example, the Huesca International Film Festival 2008 (Special mentioned).
1.-Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara--- Best Animated Short Film from  Iberoamérica
2.- Festival Internacional de Huesca--- Cacho Pallero Award
3.- Palm Springs International Shortfest---Best Animated Short Film
4.- Festival Expresión en Corto----Best Mexican Short Film
5.- Festival Animamundi Brasil------

How did you become interested in the theme of the film?
The theme of child exploitation is as problematic in Mexico as it is in any developing country. I think it is a real challenge to deal with such an emotionally-charged subject (in metaphoric terms) in an animated short film because the majority of animations have been limited to telling jokes and light antidotes with no real commitment to content and even less to presenting the viewer with a different point of view.

What was the biggest challenge you faced making the film?
The most complicated thing was trying to finish by the dates agreed upon with our producers. Animation is a very long creative process. You can’t rush it solely to meet a deadline since the quality of the product is at stake. Even so, with Jaulas we were able to produce a top-notch short in a relatively short period of time.

5.  What are your expectations for the Morelia International Film Festival?

I have heard only good comments about the festival. I hope it is well organized, that the jury is as prestigious as the event itself, and that the participating directors are treated with the respect they deserve, not like at other festivals where only the famous and TV stars receive special attention.


What kind of films, in terms of genre and subject matter, would you like to keep making?
The possibility of making more films is a challenge in itself. The genre and the theme will be determined by the moment and the context in which I find myself.