Private Project

Brenda

Mistakenly getting tattooed the name Brenda into his forearm, a lonely, religious college student is convinced his new tattoo is a sign from God to find his long-awaited soulmate.

  • Hugo Ortiz Clemens
    Director
  • Hugo Ortiz Clemens
    Writer
  • Julia K. Hunt
    Producer
  • Ciro Saravia
    Key Cast
    "Esteban"
  • Mayela "May" Ramirez
    Key Cast
    "Breanna"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 14, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 6k, RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - UT Austin
Director Biography - Hugo Ortiz Clemens

From the sister cities of Juárez/El Paso, I'm a Mexican-American filmmaker living in Austin, Texas. A true believer that film can be an agent of change, I'm interested in exploring, voicing, and supporting Hispanic & Latino stories, which have been historically excluded from the silver screen. I have written, directed, and produced a variety of projects, both in English and Spanish, ranging from narrative fiction, documentaries, advertisements, music videos, and more. My work has been featured in multiple film festivals, showcases, and major sporting events around Mexico and the US.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Have you ever thought about why do you believe in what you believe? It’s a rare practice to examine our own beliefs but it’s even harder to actually question them. Raised Catholic and my whole family still Catholic, I’ve experienced firsthand the downfalls of the lack of critical thinking when it comes to taking decisions solely based on a religious belief.

Brenda is an exploration of what happens when we unquestionably follow a belief system without considering what the alternatives might be. All through a satirical and comedic lens. Enjoy!