Gratification

Alfonso is a man who lives immersed in his work and in his own distractions. On the day of his son's birthday he decides to buy him a gift, however, a series of complications will make him understand the true meaning of affection.

  • Andrés Hernández Covarrubias
    Writer
  • Andrés Hernández Covarrubias
    Director
  • Sergio Cervantes
    Producer
  • Jorge Lan
    Key Cast
    "Alfonso Alvarez"
  • Juan Pablo Monterrubio
    Key Cast
    "Matías"
  • Linda Montero
    Key Cast
    "Diana"
  • Martín Tadeo Zapata
    Key Cast
    "Employee 01 - Empleado 01"
  • Luis Román
    Key Cast
    "Employee 02 - Empleado 02"
  • Edgar Sáenz Kuri
    Director of Photography
  • Sofía Arestegui
    Production Design
  • Andrés Hernández Covarrubias
    Editor
  • Sergio Cetz
    Sound
  • Eduardo Canseco
    Original Score
  • Tania Selene Ruíz
    Casting
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Gratificación
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 17, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 MXN
  • Country of Origin:
    Mexico
  • Country of Filming:
    Mexico
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • SHORTS MÉXICO - Festival Internacional de Cortometrajes de México
    Mexico City
    Mexico
    September 2, 2020
    World Premiere
    Official Selection - Muestra Mexicana
  • Rome Independent Prisma Awards
    Rome
    Italy
    September 9, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Cortos en Corto
    Xalapa, Veracruz
    Mexico
    July 8, 2020
    Official Selection
  • The Lift-Off Sessions
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 20, 2020
    Official Selection
  • South Film and Arts Academy Festival
    Rancagua, O'Higgins
    Chile
    September 16, 2020
    Best Children's Short Film, Best Lead Actor In A Short Film, Best Young Actor In A Short Film, Best Sound Design In A Short Film, Honorable Mention for Best Screenplay
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    October 4, 2020
    Semi-Finalist
  • SHORT to the Point
    Bucarest
    Romania
    September 30, 2020
    Official Selection
  • rolling ideas
    Târgu Mureș, Transylvania
    Romania
    August 26, 2021
    Winner
  • Chihuahua International Film Festival
    Chihuahua, Chihuahua
    Mexico
    November 14, 2020
    Winner Latin American Short Film
  • FIBABC, Festival Iberoamericano de Cortometrajes ABC

    Spain
    October 20, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Short Film Factory
    Bucarest
    Romania
    March 28, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Author's International Film Festival / FIC AUTOR
    Guadalajara
    Mexico
    November 13, 2020
    Mexican Short Film Nominee
  • MICMX - Muestra Itinerante De Cine Mx
    Mexico City
    Mexico
    November 27, 2020
    Official Selection - Cortometraje Nacional Independiente
  • Bucharest ShortCut CineFest
    Bucharest
    Romania
    December 17, 2020
    Official Selection
  • PixelsGARAGE Awards of Excellence

    December 30, 2020
    Runner Up: Narrative Short
  • Reels International Film Festival
    Aurangabad, Maharashtra
    India
    February 27, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    February 28, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Phoenix International Short Film Festival
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    February 28, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    February 28, 2021
    Honorable Mention
  • London Indie Short Festival of 24 Frames
    London
    United Kingdom
    February 16, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Berlin Short Awards
    Berlin
    Germany
    March 12, 2021
    Official Selection
  • FLICKFAIR
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    April 1, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Montreal Independent Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    March 25, 2021
    Official Selection
  • The Continental Film Festival
    New York, New York
    United States
    March 27, 2021
    Finalist
  • Best Shorts Competition
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    March 23, 2021
    Award of Excelence: Children/Family Programing
  • Best Shorts Competition
    Los Angeles
    United States
    March 23, 2021
    Award of Merit: Best Actor (Jorge Lan)
  • Reale Film Festival - Monthly Awards
    Milan
    Italy
    March 31, 2021
    Best Director
  • Hong Kong Indie Film Festival

    Hong Kong
    April 5, 2021
    Official Selection
  • VERMIOSE Film Festival
    Bordeaux
    France
    April 2, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Festival de Cine Colectivo
    León, Guanajuato
    Mexico
    April 12, 2021
    Honorable Mention
  • Paris International Short Festival
    Paris
    France
    April 17, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Cult Movies International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 30, 2021
    Finalist: Best Short, Best Male Director
  • Vesuvius International Monthly Film Fest

    Italy
    April 30, 2021
    Best Screenplay
  • Rotterdam Independent Film Festival
    Rotterdam
    Netherlands
    April 30, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Buenos Aires International Film Festival
    Buenos Aires
    Argentina
    May 5, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Festival de Cine Oro Negro
    Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz
    Mexico
    June 24, 2021
    SELECCIÓN OFICIAL VERACRUZANO
  • Onyko Films Awards Onyko Films Awards
    Tallin
    Estonia
    May 30, 2021
    Official Selection
  • ISAFF
    Saint Pettersburg
    Russian Federation
    July 27, 2021
    Winner Best Young Actor. Honorable mention for Best Short Film and Best Director
  • Madrid Film Awards
    Madrid
    Spain
    July 12, 2021
    Official Selection
  • ShortsTV Worldwide Film Festival
    Santa Monica, California
    United States
    October 1, 2021
    Semi Finalist
  • Festival Internacional de Marbella
    Marbella, Andalucía
    Spain
    August 22, 2021
    Official Selection
  • FIVE CONTINENTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Puerto la Cruz , Anzoátegui
    Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
    September 3, 2021
    Winner: Best Drama Short Film. Honorable Mention: Best Lead Actor in a Short Film
  • Accord Cine Fest

    September 3, 2021
    Best Family / Children Short
  • New York Istanbul Short Film Festival New York Istanbul Short Film Festival
    New York, New York
    United States
    September 10, 2021
    Official Selection
  • GLIFF - Golden Lemur
    Lisbon
    Portugal
    September 22, 2021
    Best Short Film, Drama, director, Actor, young actor, Cinematography, Scenography
  • Serbest International Film Festival
    Kishinev
    Moldova, Republic of
    September 20, 2021
    Semi-Finalist
  • Venice Shorts
    Venice, California
    United States
    October 5, 2021
    Honorable Mention: Best Narrative Film
  • ADIFF - Actor&Director Awards
    Saint-Petersburg
    Russian Federation
    October 5, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Libre Cinema Festival
    Mérida, Yucatán
    Mexico
    October 15, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Beyond the Curve International Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    November 3, 2021
    Best Short Film
  • San Francisco Indie Short Festival
    San Fransisco, California
    United States
    November 5, 2021
    Semifinalist
  • Children's Film Tour
    Cuernavaca, Morelos
    Mexico
    November 26, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Roma Short Film Festival
    Rome
    Italy
    December 1, 2021
    Best Actor
  • New Wave Short Film Festival
    Munich
    Germany
    December 3, 2021
    Finalist
  • Andromeda Film Festival
    Belat, Istanbul
    Turkey
    February 28, 2022
    Best Short
  • New York Tri-State International Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    January 10, 2022
    Best Narrative Short
  • Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festival
    İstanbul
    Turkey
    January 30, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Hollywood On The Tiber Film Awards
    Rome
    Italy
    February 14, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Esto Es Para Esto
    Monterrey, Nuevo Léon
    Mexico
    June 10, 2022
    Official Selection
  • New Creators Film Awards
    Paris
    France
    February 27, 2022
    Nominee: Best Narrative Short, Best Director
  • BIMIFF - Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival

    Brazil
    February 26, 2022
    Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Production Design
  • 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival
    Bali
    Indonesia
    March 29, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Cumbre Tajin 2022
    Papantla, Veracruz
    Mexico
    March 18, 2022
    Muestra de Cine
  • Swedish International Film Festival
    Arvika
    Sweden
    April 10, 2022
    Official Selection
  • ELIPSIS Cinematographic Arts and Sciences International Meeting
    Pachuca, Hidalgo
    Mexico
    July 29, 2022
    Official Selection: Cortometraje de Ficción
  • Gralha International Monthly Film Awards, en Brasil
    Curitiba, PR
    Brazil
    July 5, 2022
    Official Selection
  • The Paus Premieres Festival

    United Kingdom
    June 22, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Seoul International Short Film Festival
    Seoul
    Korea, Republic of
    July 3, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Bright International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    July 17, 2022
    Finalist
  • Deep Focus Film Festival
    Brooklyn, N.Y.
    United States
    September 17, 2022
    Honorable Mention
  • Sydney Australian Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    October 20, 2022
    Best Screenplay
  • Festival Internacional del arte y del cine independiente MIAX
    Guadalajara, Jalisco
    Mexico
    November 10, 2022
    Selección oficial: Cortometraje Nacional
  • Indie Motion Club Film Awards

    December 3, 2022
    Best Director, Best Screenplay
Director Biography - Andrés Hernández Covarrubias

(Español): México, 1993. Director, guionista y editor. Egresado de la Escuela Veracruzana de Cine Luis Buñuel. Cursó un diplomado de edición en la Escuela Internacional de Cine y TV (EICTV) y un taller de guion en el Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica. Tiene experiencia como jurado en el Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara (2016) y el Bogotá International Film Festival (2018). Ha colaborado en curaduría y programación en el cine independiente "Cinema Nahual”, y actualmente en “Kiltro Cinema”. Sus producciones han sido proyectadas y reconocidas en varios países. Su cortometraje "Gratificación" (2020), ha sido seleccionado y galardonado en más de 50 festivales internacionales de cine. Sus próximos proyectos se encuentran en desarrollo: un cortometraje titulado “Viejo Pozo” (semifinalista en la competencia mexicana de guion de Shorts México, 2022) y su primer largometraje, una historia planteada como una cuerda floja entre realismo y surrealismo.

(English): Mexico, 1993. Director, screenwriter and editor. Graduated from Escuela Veracruzana de Cine Luis Buñuel. He completed an editing diploma at the International Film and TV School in Cuba (EICTV) and a screenplay workshop at the Film Training Center (CCC) in Mexico City. He has experience as a jury at the Guadalajara International Film Festival (2016) and the Bogotá International Film Festival (2018). He has collaborated in curatorship and programming in the independent cinema Cinema Nahual, and currently in Kiltro Cinema. His productions have been screened and recognized in several countries. His short film “Gratification” (2020), has been selected and awarded in more of 50 international film festivals. His next projects are in development: a short film entitled “Old Well” (semi-finalist in the Mexican script competition of Shorts México, 2022) and his first feature film, a story presented as a tightrope between realism and surrealism.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

GRATIFICACIÓN es un cortometraje de ficción que retrata vivencias personales y la búsqueda del verdadero afecto entre padre e hijo. La historia presenta un estilo muy sutil donde el protagonista (el abogado Alfonso) se ve inmerso en su círculo interno, una desconexión ante los demás, y que la desesperación por cumplir sus motivaciones lo harán cometer desiciones impulsivas.

El tratamiento narrativo se inspira en el estilo punzante, directo y sin pretensiones del escritor estadounidense Raymond Carver, donde el protagonista se enfrenta a problemas cotidianos y mundanos, sin embargo, siempre hay una aproximación a la tensión y al enfrentamiento interno.

El cortometraje se concentra en retratar a un personaje común y sin mucho escrúpulo, que está envuelto en un trasfondo desconcertante. El protagonista es un ser vacío, que intenta ser feliz y no lo consigue, pero en el fondo se arriesga, sobre toda las cosas, por conseguir una reconciliación.

Dentro de la sencillez de la historia, se encuentran temas y actitudes muy universales que transmiten una autenticidad en la vida diaria: la búsqueda de la estabilidad, el orden y la reconciliación como puntos esenciales para encontrarle sentido a la vida.
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GRATIFICATION is a fiction short film that portrays personal experiences and the search for true affection between father and son. The story presents a very subtle style where the protagonist (lawyer Alfonso) is immersed in his inner circle, a disconnection from others, and that the desperation to fulfill his motivations will make him make impulsive decisions.

The narrative treatment is inspired by the sharp, direct and unpretentious style of the American writer Raymond Carver, where the protagonist faces everyday problems, however, there is always an approach to internal confrontation.

The short film focuses on portraying a common character without much scruple, but in a disconcerting background.

The protagonist is an empty human being, who tries to be happy and doesn't get it, but deep down he tries, above all, to get a reconciliation.

Within the simplicity of the story, there are many universal themes and attitudes that convey an authenticity in daily life: the search for stability, order and reconciliation as essential points to found sense in life.