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Encuerados

Encuerados chronicles the year-long involvement of seven Latino men in the leather scene, primarily focusing on the historical attainment of the first Latino man winning the title of Mr. Los Angeles Leather, Leo Iriarte. By showcasing the legacy of Leo, Encuerados takes a deep dive into the leadership of seven trailblazers, empowered to create representation in leather competitions such as MLAL, IML, and events, such as Up Your Alley, Folsom, CLAW LA, and Pride.

  • Orlando Bedolla
    Director
  • Yuliana Franco
    Producer
  • David Mosqueda
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 10, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HD 1080p
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • NEW FILMMAKERS LA
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 17, 2023
    World Premier
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Orlando Bedolla

Orlando Bedolla is a filmmaker and LGBTQ activist working to create LGBTQ content to increase LGBTQ presence in the media. He produced and directed two short documentaries: Preserving LGBT History (a history of the ONE Archives) and Coming Out: The LGBT Cultural Revolution Before Stonewall, in which participants from the early days of activism in Los Angeles were interviewed and their stories told. These films have been selected and featured at film festivals such as Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBT Film Festival, Out on Film: Atlanta’s LGBT Film Festival, and Pride Film Festival Chicago. He is currently working on development of a Spanish Language LGBTQ drama series and an LGBTQ Comic Strip. Orlando Interned at GLAAD, working to advance LGBTQ representation and participation in the media. While interning at GLAAD, he wrote and directed a PSA that caught national attention and was featured in the Spanish Language national TV show Despierta America. Orlando also contributed to the first GLAAD report that analyzed the inclusion of LGBTQ characters in primetime Spanish-language scripted television airing in the United States. He worked as a Production Coordinator for the Ellen Show and as a Creative Marketing Production Manager for Disney+.

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Director Statement

The LGBTQ community continues to fight for inclusion, representation, and acceptance. The Leather community hasn’t always been fully included, represented, nor accepted in the LGBTQ community and Latinos have not always been fully included, represented nor accepted in both the leather and LGBTQ community. But things are changing, and we have learned to not only accept but celebrate the diversity within the LGBTQ community. Many states across the Country continue to try and pass laws that reverse much of the gains that the LGBTQ community has acquired since the beginning of the movement. We must continue to show the world that we are all different, but we can all work together to create a better society.

As a Latino gay man with kinks and fetishes, I strongly feel that a documentary highlighting the involvement of Latinos in the Leather community is important to make. It is important not just so other Latinos who may have kinks and fetishes can feel confrontable exploring those desires but anyone who may be interested can see that they are not alone and there is a community that embraces them and their kinks. Most importantly, to learn that kinks and fetishes are practiced safely.