DULCE, 4min., USA
Directed by Aleyda Ortiz
Dulce is a short 3D animated film that explores the loving relationship between mother and daughter while balancing the heavy concept of death.

Get to know producer Lok Cheang:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The motivation behind creating this film was driven by several deeply personal and profound factors. Our director and writer, Aleyda Ortiz, is a Mexican American artist who wanted to capture the essence of her culture on screen, to celebrate its beauty and traditions.

One of the central themes of the film was to play around with the concept of death and explore the idea of acceptance. While death was often portrayed as something terrifying, we wanted to challenge this notion. Instead, we sought to convey the message that death, despite its fearful image, can teach us to appreciate life more, making it a beautiful and meaningful part of our existence. This exploration of contrasting ideas became a central focus of our film.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

It was a significant journey from the initial idea to the completed film. Aleyda Ortiz came up with the idea and story three years ago. The actual production phase, which included character designs, animation, post-production work, and all the intricacies of bringing the story to life, spanned a year and a half.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Beautifully Bittersweet

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Our biggest challenge in completing this film was dealing with technical issues and meeting deadlines. We encountered various technical problems during production, such as rendering issues and post-production complexities. Additionally, the pressure of sticking to our tight schedules was a constant challenge. To overcome these obstacles, we had to be resourceful and work together as a team.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

When we saw the audience discussing our film in the feedback video, we were really happy that people noticed and appreciated the symbolism and the double meaning in the protagonist's, Aurora, line when she almost drowned. It was a moment in the film where we aimed to convey a deeper layer of significance, and the fact that the audience recognized it was a rewarding experience.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

We fell in love with movies and animation when we were small. For us, 3D animation is like a magic tool to share our stories and creativity with the world. It's something we've known we wanted to do for as long as we can remember – a childhood dream that never faded away.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The film Aleyda Ortiz has seen the most is 'Coraline,' while Kevin's go-to favorite is 'Shrek,' and Lok has a special place in his heart for 'Finding Nemo.'

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

To make the festival experience better for filmmakers and help their careers, it would be great to have more opportunities to connect with industry people. Providing resources for funding can also be very helpful for filmmakers aiming to create more films and succeed in the industry.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Working with the FilmFreeway festival platform has been a smooth and straightforward experience. It's user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to manage.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Our favorite meal has to be the carne asada tacos from the taco truck near school. Our team always grabs them during our breaks, and they are simply irresistible!

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Next for us, we are actively seeking opportunities in the industry, but we also want to explore new ways to create fresh and innovative media.