Private Project

Somos Borderlands

From Boca Chica Beach to Rio Grande City, this documentary dreamscape takes the viewer on a short personal tour of the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. The film serves to highlight some of the people, perspectives, and spaces of today through the music and lore of "Futuro Conjunto"—a prophetic trans-media art project by Charlie Vela & Jonathan Leal, intertwined with reverence and imagination.

  • Dylan Hensley
    Director
    Bittersweet, Flourish, Sugar Babies
  • Jessica Calderon
    Producer
  • Charlie Vela
    Key Cast
    As I Walk Through The Valley
  • Jonathan Leal
    Key Cast
  • Tim Smith
    Key Cast
    Weatherman with KRGV-TV
  • Dylan Hensley
    Cinematographer
    Bittersweet, Flourish, Sugar Babies
  • Madison Powell
    Cinematographer
  • Jordan Bratcher
    Editor
    The Just for Fun Talent Show
  • Dylan Hensley
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Futurist, Non-fiction, Documentary
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 2k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of North Texas - Toulouse Grad School
  • South Texas International Film Festival
    Edinburg
    United States
    September 8, 2022
    RGV Premiere
    Win - RGV Best Director
  • South Texas International Film Festival
    Edinburg
    United States
    September 8, 2022
    Nominated Best Documentary Short
  • Festival De Cine Latino Americano - Texas (NORTE)
    DFW - North Texas - Denton
    United States
    September 11, 2022
    Win - Best Tejano Short Doc
  • Rockport Film Festival
    Rockport
    United States
    November 13, 2022
    Creative Spirit Award
  • Thinline Film Festival
    Denton, TX
    United States
    April 30, 2023
    Nominated for Best Student Film
  • Lost River Film Fest
    San Marcos, TX
    United States
    October 14, 2023
  • Festival Angaelica
    Pasadena, CA
    United States
    December 28, 2023
    Official Selection
  • MIRAAA Media Festival
    Harlingen, TX
    United States
    June 16, 2024
    Win - Best Documentary
Director Biography - Dylan Hensley

Dylan Hensley is an MFA Graduate in Documentary Production from the University of North Texas, with a BA in Media Arts and Minor in Anthropology.

Their work spans from experimental documentaries that focus on community and the environment, to vlogs and short films embedded with magical realism. They are also an accomplished musician under the stage name Saint Naive.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Somos Borderlands is a love letter to my home. There is so much more to express. This singular doc does not presume to speak on behalf of all voices in and around the RGV, however I can say that I am honored to be able to enrich the context, content, and conversation of the RGV with fellow collaborators and artists.

-Dylan