Private Project

The Coqui Sings

A restless teen working at a Puerto Rican museum is interrupted by an elderly visitor whose memories of home and the coquí’s song reveal the power of patience, love, and cultural connection.

  • Edwin FrankO
    Director
    Fuego
  • Edwin FrankO
    Writer
    Fuego
  • Edwin FrankO
    Producer
    Fuego
  • Chavela Monclova
    Key Cast
    "Ana"
    Save The Flea
  • Lisa Ginel
    Key Cast
    "Sandra"
    The 4th Trimester
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 24, 2026
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - SDSU / USC
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Edwin FrankO

Edwin FrankO is a Puerto Rican and Mexican-American filmmaker from Barrio Logan, San Diego, whose journey from breakdancer to cinematic storyteller defines his rhythmic, community-centered approach to film. A proud USC School of Cinematic Arts alumnus and current MFA candidate at San Diego State University, Edwin’s work is rooted in the intersection of cultural preservation and creative education.

After a transformative path through community college and the bittersweet milestone of entering USC the same week he lost his father, Edwin dedicated his craft to amplifying underrepresented voices. As a Teaching Artist for the Media Arts Center San Diego, he empowers the next generation to find their own narratives. With When the Coquí Sings, Edwin continues his mission to create "love letters" to his heritage, proving that whether through the salsa of his debut feature Fuego or the quiet call of a forest frog in Balboa Park, storytelling is the ultimate way to call oneself home.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As a first-year MFA student at San Diego State University, I created this film to give back. After receiving a scholarship from the House of Puerto Rico in Balboa Park, I wanted to use my platform to bring awareness to them, a nonprofit run entirely by dedicated volunteers. This film is my tribute to the people who keep our culture alive miles away from the island.

Since connecting with Puerto Rico on a deep level in 2022, I have experienced a profound homesickness for the island. For me, the sound of the coquí is a powerful trigger for memory and belonging. However, I realized that many Puerto Ricans born on the West Coast, including my own brother, do not always understand the subtext of that connection. They haven't had the same opportunity to experience the island or the tight-knit communities of the East Coast. My film explores this gap between those who miss home and those who are still discovering what that home means.

To bridge this cultural gap, I chose a hybrid filmmaking approach. While the film is primarily live action, we enter an animated world when the character Sandra shares the folklore of the coquí. This allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and collaborate with animator and story artist Angélica Agélviz. As a Puerto Rican artist, Angélica brought a shared cultural vision to the project that helped visualize the spirit of the island within a San Diego setting.

I hope that people who miss their home or family find comfort in this film. Whether it is through the House of Puerto Rico, the film community, or the salsa scene, I want to encourage others to seek out the warmth of community. This film is a reminder that no matter where we are, our culture and our memories will always call us home.