LOMA Film Festival presented by LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 2025 Block 1

Rooster and Terry

Rooster tries every trick in the book to out-crow the farm’s laid-back newcomer, Terry, in his relentless quest to be the first to “cock-a-doodle-doo” at sunrise.

Director Biography – Pablo Diaz De Leon Hicks, Kexin Chen

Pablo Díaz De León Hicks is a CG artist, animator, and director from Mexico, currently completing his MFA in Animation at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. His work blends humor and heart, often exploring themes of identity and resilience. Past projects include Juntos en la Distancia (Cartoon Network TV Spot), A Battle’s Toll, and The Blue Stag. He has contributed as a previs and postvis artist on TRON: Ares and Stranger Things 5, and was recently awarded the Jenkins-Del Toro Award, among other honors. Rooster & Terry is his latest short film.

Who Gets the Girl?

Two boys fight for the heart of their beloved; but is she interested? A short silent comedy.

Director Biography – Diego Alexander García-Taborga

Diego García-Taborga is a senior at Orange County School of the Arts studying film and Television. He takes a great interest in film and, in particular, screenwriting. His recent accomplishments include winning Best Screenplay at the 2023 OCSA awards, winning regional first place in the 9th Circuit Civics Contest, and creating “We Will Listen,” a PSA that won many awards across four film festivals (including first place at the Parallusion Film Festival and a subsequent screening at the Zui Kuo manor!).

Diego is looking forward to producing upwards of 4 more films in 2025 – including The Angela Concerto: A short drama about a teenage master pianist pushing through a mysterious tragedy to win first place. Diego holds a lot of excitement for his future!

Inland Empire

Two besties River and Lima, 13 year old oddballs, full of talent, smarts, and the tenacity that can make a preacher curse, cruise through the summer of 1988 like it’s 1999! Jumping from River’s bi-racial family to Lima’s Filipino family, we’re surrounded by the community that represents a full color spectrum in a middle class neighborhood. We see how the inner workings of people and community collectively raise a family, because it takes a village.

Director Biography – Renee J. Vaca

“As a bi-racial native Californian and a proud member of the LGBTQ community, I bring a distinct perspective to my story telling. In 2020, my first short “Last Looks” earned Best Narrative Short at the Maple Summit, Best Performance Chicago Feedback Film Festival, Nominated Prince of Prestige Academy Awards, Official Selection for YoFi Fest, and Semi Finalist 2021 Jelly Film Festival. I directed a short called “POCHA” and am currently working on a web series called Covid Love. My latest written project, Inland Empire, is a finished 30 min. series which I condensed into a short presentation that illustrates my concept.”

Love Stinks

Kasey finally goes out with her dreamy neighbor across the hall and has the most magical night. She returns home the next morning to share the news with her roommates, Alex and Carla, only to find out that dream boy is a FUCKBOY. She’s. Been. Played. Fed up with the disappointment and dishonesty of penis owners, the roomies decide to get the ultimate revenge to reclaim their power. But their plan takes a turn and bites them in the butt. Sometimes revenge isn’t so sweet.

Director – Caleb Knowles, Kylie Klunder, Natalie Lall, Ava Pinto

Miscast

A filmmaker wants to make a crime drama/telenovela mashup with authentic Spanish dialogue. The problem is he doesn’t speak Spanish, and neither does his production team. Auditions are cringe enough, but once miscast, the leading Latinas nevertheless represent.

Director Biography – Rodrigo Antonio Villaronga

Antonio Villaronga is a filmmaker dedicated to creating short films that entertain while shedding light on important social issues.