HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Augusto is a retired military man who was blinded by an accident. His partner abandoned him, he has no children and his closest family has not visited him for years. Augusto faces the most significant day of his life full of hope and with the desire to receive the greetings of a close relative who offers him a glimpse of connection and love.

  • Weslly Montoya
    Director
  • Weslly Montoya
    Writer
  • Milagros Cubas
    Producer
  • Victor Prado
    Key Cast
    "Don Augusto"
  • Milagros Sanchez
    Key Cast
    "Lupita"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Feliz cumpleaños
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 26, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    690 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Peru
  • Country of Filming:
    Peru
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Film Fest S23 Ultra
    Lima
    Peru
    Best short film jury vote
Director Biography - Weslly Montoya

Master in Multimedia Communication and Journalism, outstanding graduate of the Communication Sciences career with a solid 10-year career in the exciting world of the audiovisual area.

His dedication and innate curiosity led him to complement his training with specialized courses in film directing and photography, thus enriching his knowledge in the field.

With an overflowing passion for cinema, he has captured his creativity and talent in making short films and video clips, demonstrating his ability to tell stories that are visually striking. In addition, he has left his mark in the industry by editing and post-producing advertising projects in the digital medium.
He has extensive knowledge in handling audiovisual equipment, including cameras and lights, and is certified as a drone pilot by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, allowing him to capture high-quality aerial images with a unique perspective.

His experience and knowledge have led him to venture into university teaching, where he has shared his passion, teaching audiovisual production courses at various universities in Peru.
In recognition of his talent and dedication, in 2023 he was awarded Samsung's prestigious Film Fest S23 Ultra award for the short film "Happy Birthday", being selected as the favorite by the jury.

His outstanding track record and achievements support his commitment to excellence in the audiovisual field, making him a versatile, creative and highly valued professional in the industry.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

For this short film I was inspired by a real testimony that I heard on the radio and I realized that several people live alone, without family members to visit them or people to accompany them. I imagined a life like this and the truth made me reflect. What I try to capture is a harsh and crude reality but that we must be aware so that if we identify a person who is going through this situation we can accompany them; so be it with a couple of words or a hug. you should vote for this short film because it was made with a lot of heart and effort. The interesting thing about my story is that Don Augusto, the main character, can be anyone who is alone: a friend, an uncle or one of your grandparents.

I want to give special thanks to Víctor Prada since he turned Don Augusto into a human and real character with whom several people will be able to identify, it is an honor for me to have a great Peruvian actor. In the same way, I would thank Milagros Sánchez because with that hug from Lupita, he represented the great love and passion that we gave to the short film.