Private Project

LÍMITE

Sixteen-year-old Manuel lives in Tijuana, Mexico with his grandfather while his mom works in the United States. When he meets a girl, he sees an opportunity to assert his independence, but what he doesn't know about her will push him to the limit.

Inspired by real events.

  • George Nicholas
    Director
  • George Nicholas
    Writer
  • George Nicholas
    Producer
  • Eliza Bonev
    Producer
  • Gustavo Cruz
    Key Cast
    "MANUEL"
  • Eduardo Gómez
    Key Cast
    "RODOLFO"
  • Jorge Domínguez Cerdá
    Key Cast
    "MANUEL SR."
  • Carla Culebro
    Key Cast
    "MARIA"
  • Zoni Medina
    Key Cast
    "ALFONSO"
  • Leah Finity
    Key Cast
    "OFFICER ADAMS"
  • Moses
    Key Cast
    "OFFICER RODRIGUEZ"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    LÍMITE
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    37 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    Bulgaria
  • Country of Filming:
    Mexico
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    16mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • San Diego International Film Festival
    San Diego, California
    United States
    October 21, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Ojai Film Festival
    Ojai, California
    United States
    November 3, 2023
    N/A
    Official Selection
  • Newport Beach Film Festival
  • Anchorage, Alaska
    United States
    December 8, 2023
    Jury Award
Director Biography - George Nicholas

George Nicholas is a Bulgarian-American filmmaker born in Slovakia in 1987. His short films include fiction as well as documentary work and have garnered awards from festivals in California, West Virginia and New York. He has been living in Los Angeles with his wife and creative partner, Eliza Bonev, since graduating from Bulgaria's National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in 2011.

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Director Statement

"Límite" is my creative reaction to a real event.

On the evening of November 18, 2013, a 16-year-old boy from Mexico attempted to enter the United States with two bottles of unidentified liquid. When questioned by U.S. border guards, he claimed it was apple juice. Suspecting he was carrying drugs, the agents demanded he prove it was apple juice. One of the agents made a motion with her hand -- “drink it.”

This story reminded me of my own teenage experiences. Growing up in a poor country with a lot of crime and corruption, I know first-hand the pressures at play for a teenager in that kind of environment. I thought of the many times I got myself into more trouble than I could handle.

I also recalled the roles adults played in my life and my desire to prove them wrong. Luckily, no one dared me to a deadly game of chicken, as I likely would have accepted.

I felt compelled to tell this story, because I knew that teenager could have been me. Thank you for helping me share this story with the world.

-George Nicholas