I crafted a film titled "ÑAÑO" with a heartfelt mission to dive deep into the emotional essence of filmmaking. Upon hearing a personal story from my father about an uncle I would never meet, I felt compelled to dedicate this cinematic endeavor to his memory. I chose to film in Ecuador, our ancestral homeland, to make the film feel real and really pull at people's heartstrings, letting them experience the genuine essence of the storyline. I sought to empathize with the tragic narrative my father experienced at the age of nine, growing up in poverty and losing his five-year-old brother in a devastating car accident. Hearing the story of my father losing someone as dear to him as his baby brother deeply impacted me. It was difficult to imagine navigating childhood without my own sibling. Creating this film allowed me to empathize with my dad and understand the pain he went through.

In "ÑAÑO," portrayed by Jonathan, the protagonist embarks on a journey to reunite with his brother. On his way to see his brother we’ll see the unpredictable beauty of life's twists and turns. Showing how Jonathan’s new norm will lead to a new adventure every trip. A notable detail in this film is my father's cameo as the store clerk, symbolically showing past and present selves for the audience's reflection. The film's ability to evoke strong emotions led to it winning Best Fiction Film at Marymount Manhattan’s Creative Media Showcase. Through this project, I gained invaluable insights into my roots and formed a profound spiritual connection with my late uncle, Cesar Napoleon Veloz. I am immensely proud of how this film came out and am committed to crafting more authentic narratives in my future filmmaking endeavors.