Experiencing Interruptions?

¿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.

  • Cristian Jesus Vega
    Director
  • Bianca Mechelin
    Director of Photography
  • CRISTIAN Jesus VEGA
    Writer
  • Ash Sokhom
    Producer
  • Luca Orozco
    Key Cast
    "Cuauhtemoc "
  • Reed Flowers
    Key Cast
    "Santiago"
  • Art Hatley
    Key Cast
    "Older Man"
  • Derek Rasmussen
    Key Cast
    "Man #01"
    When It Rains, It Pours
  • Jacob Alfaro
    Key Cast
    "Man #02"
  • Micah Stamps
    Key Cast
    "Man #03"
  • Juan Dominguez
    Key Cast
    "Man #04"
  • Cristian Jesus Vega
    Key Cast
    "Man #05"
  • Alex Romero
    Assistant Camera
  • Jasmin Texidor
    Production Designer
  • Citilalli Galvan
    Make Up Artist
  • Marco Navarro
    Script Supervisor
  • Gannon Camp
    Sound Recordist
  • Spencer Garcia
    Boom Operator
  • Kaydin Costa
    Key Grip
  • Micah Stamps
    Gaffer
  • Ashton Brigatti
    Best Person / Eletric
  • Alyssa Soto
    Assistant Directors
  • Ash Sokhom
    Assistant Directors
  • Ezekiel Lazaroo
    Digital Image Technican
  • Ash Sokhom
    Digital Image Technican
  • Juan Dominguez
    On Set Photographer
  • Juan Dominguez
    Production Assitant
  • Cristian Jesus Vega
    Editor
  • Ezekiel Lazaroo
    Assitant Editor
  • Cristian Jesus Vega
    Sound Designers
  • Ezekiel Lazaroo
    Sound Designers
  • Cristian Jesus Vega
    Sound Mixer
  • Ezekiel Lazaroo
    Colorists
  • Cristian Jesus Vega
    Colorists
  • Lee Strobel
    Graphic Artists
  • Logan Daley
    Graphic Artists
  • Tristian Ruiz
    Poster Artist
  • Maria Jose Calderon
    Music Composer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    ¿Qué Es Un Niño?
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Student
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 3, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    700 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - California State University, Monterey Bay
  • Student Academy Awards

    United States
    September 15, 2023
    Semi-Finalist
  • CSU Media Arts Festival

    October 25, 2023
    Online
    Finalist
  • Watsonville Film Festival
    Watsonville
    March 7, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Cinequest Film Festival
    San Jose
    March 16, 2024
    Bay Area
    Official Selection
  • Poppy Jasper International Film Festival
    San Juan Bautista
    April 15, 2024
    Best Experimental Film
  • Humboldt International Film Festival
    Arcata, CA
    April 21, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Beacon Film Festival
    Monterey
    United States
    May 19, 2024
    Best Experimental Film
  • San Francisco Frozen Film Festival
    San Francisco
    United States
    July 19, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Hudson Valley Film Festival
    Warwick
    United States
    August 15, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Arizona Underground Film Festival
    Tucson
    United States
    September 22, 2024
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Cristian Jesus Vega

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.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

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.