¿Qué Es Un Niño? (What is a Boy?)
In the face of toxic masculinity in Latino culture, a masculine-presenting Queer Latino struggles with their gender identity while striving to appear and be accepted as a man through working out and joining the military, the character hides their queer identity, ultimately leading to them discovering the true meaning of embracing their authentic self.
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Cristian Jesus VegaDirector
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Bianca MechelinDirector of Photography
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CRISTIAN Jesus VEGAWriter
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Ash SokhomProducer
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Luca OrozcoKey Cast"Cuauhtemoc "
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Reed FlowersKey Cast"Santiago"
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Art HatleyKey Cast"Older Man"
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Derek RasmussenKey Cast"Man #01"When It Rains, It Pours
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Jacob AlfaroKey Cast"Man #02"
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Micah StampsKey Cast"Man #03"
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Juan DominguezKey Cast"Man #04"
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Cristian Jesus VegaKey Cast"Man #05"
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Alex RomeroAssistant Camera
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Jasmin TexidorProduction Designer
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Citilalli GalvanMake Up Artist
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Marco NavarroScript Supervisor
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Gannon CampSound Recordist
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Spencer GarciaBoom Operator
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Kaydin CostaKey Grip
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Micah StampsGaffer
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Ashton BrigattiBest Person / Eletric
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Alyssa SotoAssistant Directors
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Ash SokhomAssistant Directors
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Ezekiel LazarooDigital Image Technican
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Ash SokhomDigital Image Technican
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Juan DominguezOn Set Photographer
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Juan DominguezProduction Assitant
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Cristian Jesus VegaEditor
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Ezekiel LazarooAssitant Editor
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Cristian Jesus VegaSound Designers
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Ezekiel LazarooSound Designers
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Cristian Jesus VegaSound Mixer
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Ezekiel LazarooColorists
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Cristian Jesus VegaColorists
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Lee StrobelGraphic Artists
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Logan DaleyGraphic Artists
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Tristian RuizPoster Artist
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Maria Jose CalderonMusic Composer
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Project Title (Original Language):¿Qué Es Un Niño?
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Project Type:Experimental, Student
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Runtime:5 minutes 30 seconds
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Completion Date:May 3, 2023
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Production Budget:700 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English, Spanish
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Shooting Format:RED
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Aspect Ratio:4:3
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes - California State University, Monterey Bay
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Student Academy Awards
United States
September 15, 2023
Semi-Finalist -
CSU Media Arts Festival
October 25, 2023
Online
Finalist -
Watsonville Film FestivalWatsonville
March 7, 2024
Official Selection -
Cinequest Film FestivalSan Jose
March 16, 2024
Bay Area
Official Selection -
Poppy Jasper International Film FestivalSan Juan Bautista
April 15, 2024
Best Experimental Film -
Humboldt International Film FestivalArcata, CA
April 21, 2024
Official Selection -
Beacon Film FestivalMonterey
United States
May 19, 2024
Best Experimental Film -
San Francisco Frozen Film FestivalSan Francisco
United States
July 19, 2024
Official Selection -
Hudson Valley Film FestivalWarwick
United States
August 15, 2024
Official Selection -
Arizona Underground Film FestivalTucson
United States
September 22, 2024
Official Selection
Cristian Jesus Vega is a Mexican-American experimental filmmaker from Greenfield, CA with a Cinematic Arts & Technology BA degree from California State University, Monterey Bay. Cristian is currently living in Monterey, CA working as a Production Assistant for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Cristian has a deep passion for making films about experiences of his Latino community, environmentalism, and human struggles all through experimental filmmaking. Cristian specializes in post-production as a editor, assistant editor, sound designer, and colorist. Using industry professional software like Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and After Effects.
Cristian's films has received several nominations, most notably his film ¿Qué Es Un Niño? was a semi-finalist for the Student Academy Awards 2023.
My surrealist experimental narrative film represents finally being able to accept oneself without worrying about being judged. Many people, regardless of ethnicity, gender or sexuality, have gone through the emotions of imposter syndrome.. ¿Qué Es Un Niño? is a visual metaphor film that showcases a Latino person leaving the patriarchal traditions of Latino Culture behind to be openly queer.
The main character Cuauhtémoc does everything they can to fit into society's patriarchal tradition but never believes they genuinely fit. In the midst, they finally come out to themselves and accept their queerness. Cuauhtémoc will do what society thinks masculine men do, but inside they wish they can express themselves as they want. As the film continues, Cuauhtémoc flips between doing masculine actions and actions deemed not masculine.
I hope my film creates the feeling of being free. I want people to see that we are human, and it should not matter what we decide to showcase to society; we should accept one another.