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El Halcón

El Halcón (The Falcon) is a gripping story set in the bustling streets of Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. The story follows Fernando De La Cruz, an ex-gang member and aspiring tattoo artist, who is trying to turn his life around and help his immigrant mother return to the United States. When he meets a young boy named JP and his abusive, racist father, Mike. Fern is faced with a difficult decision. Will he risk everything to help the young boy and stand up to the abusive father, or will he choose to stay out of trouble and focus on his own goals? The story explores themes of trauma, redemption, and pursuing one's passion despite the challenges life throws at us.

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28232857/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

  • Arlene Torres
    Director
  • Arlene Torres
    Writer
  • Miranda Le Claire
    Producer
  • Irlanda Silva
    Producer
  • Stephanie Ledesma
    Producer
  • Hector Gomez Jr.
    Key Cast
    "Fern De La Cruz"
    Malibu Horror Story (2023), State of Consciousness (2023), GhettoBusters (2019)
  • Porter Fasullo
    Key Cast
    "JP"
    General Hospital (1963), The Burned Photo (2021), Classified (2022)
  • Scott E. Myers
    Key Cast
    "Mike"
    Good Mourning (2022), American Gangster: Trap Queens (2022), Minx (2022)
  • Mia Moran
    Director of Photography
  • Masaya Hirose
    Cam Op
  • Nathan Principe
    1st Assistant Director
  • Fernando Negrete
    Script Supervisor
  • Alex Alarcon
    Editor
  • Bayley Doyle
    Editor
  • Shania Gez
    Production Designer
  • Allison Loewe
    Art Director
  • David Berry
    Production Sound
  • Cristine Ramos
    Sound Mixer
  • Michael Macapagal
    Music Composer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    The Falcon
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 3, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    ARRI ALEXA Mini LF
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - California State University Northridge
  • Los Angeles Film Awards ®
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    October 27, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Award Winner, Best Student Film
  • San Diego Film Awards ®
    San Diego, CA
    United States
    February 1, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Award Winner, Best Student Short Drama
  • Chandler International Film Festival ®
    Chandler, AZ
    United States
    January 27, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Award Winner, Best Student Filmmaker
  • Mometu Network Shorts Film Festival ®
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    November 17, 2023
    World Premiere
    Award Winner, Best Drama Film, Best Picture Overall
  • Oceanside International Film Festival ®
    Oceanside, CA
    United States
    February 20, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Award Winner, Best Student Film
  • San Luis Obispo International Film Festival ®
    San Luis Obispo, CA
    United States
    April 25, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles Student Film Festival ®
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    May 2, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Cinequest & VR Festival ®
    San Jose, CA
    United States
    March 5, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Riverside International Film Festival
    Riverside, CA
    United States
    April 10, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Indie Short Fest ®
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    November 18, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Award Winner, Best Student Short, Best Student Director (Female), Best Ensemble Cast, and Outstanding Achievement Award Student Film
  • Independent Shorts Awards ®
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    January 26, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Award Winner, Best Student Short
  • CSU Media Arts Film Festival ®
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    October 26, 2023
    World Premiere
    Finalist, Student Film
Distribution Information
  • Hollywood Foreign Press Association Fellow
    Distributor
    Country: United States
Director Biography - Arlene Torres

Latinx Filmmaker
B.A. Cinema Television Visual Arts - Film Production

Arlene Torres is a passionate Latina filmmaker who attended California State University Northridge and pursued a bachelor's degree in Film Production and minored in Communication Studies. While obtaining a degree, Arlene has vast experience being a Concert Production Coordinator for CSUN's Music Department since August 2017. She has operated technical support during performances and shows for almost four years. Additionally, Arlene has interned as an Entertainment PR marketing intern for the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. She collaborated with many networks like Univision, NBC, Telemundo, and many more! Arlene has worked on many CSUN Films including A Más No Poder, Nepantla, and a feature film, America's Family.

Arlene's goal is to create compelling images that will inspire many individuals from all walks of life and bring change to this world by telling stories from underrepresented communities.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The core purpose of "El Halcón" is to inspire individuals from all walks of life to find their passion and utilize it as a means to overcome challenges. We all face battles, big or small, and this film aims to remind viewers that within each of us lies an innate gift that, when nurtured, sets us free. It is a story of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of following one's true calling. Through the exploration of themes such as immigration, gang violence, abuse, racism, people of color, and poverty, "El Halcón" seeks to touch the hearts of diverse audiences and foster unity and understanding.

As a filmmaker, my goal with this project is to bring peace and love to every heart. I firmly believe in the power of storytelling to inspire change, and "El Halcón" is my contribution to creating a more inclusive and compassionate world. Writing has always been my personal escape, allowing me to inhabit various characters and explore limitless possibilities. It provides me with fulfillment and a medium for creative expression, and I hope that this film resonates with audiences in a similarly profound manner.
-Arlene