Itzel, a young girl of Mayan descent, goes on a camping trip with her father deep in the jungle. As they stargaze together, Itzel's curiosity leads her to wander off and explore the surrounding area. While wandering, she discovers a Jaguar in captivity and, without hesitation, frees the majestic animal.

However, their escape is short-lived as a furious poacher begins to pursue them. Itzel runs for her life, and in the process, she stumbles upon a mysterious lost Mayan city. As she explores the ruins, she experiences a vision of the city's glory days, guided by a magical Jaguar, called Balam.

The adventure is full of wonder, danger, and magic, but Itzel is ready for whatever new discoveries the jungle and the stars have in store for her.

Animation | 10:10

Director: Guillermo Casarin

Hi, I'm Guillermo Casarín - a Mexican film director, screenwriter, and producer. Growing up, movies were my escape to different worlds, but at some point, I realized that I wanted to create those worlds myself. I was tired of seeing my community represented in stereotypical ways, so I committed to creating better representations of marginalized groups.

My work has been recognized by the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Emmys, and several film festivals - many of which qualify for Oscars. Not to mention, I've had the pleasure of working with renowned clients like HBO, CVS Health, the American Cancer Society, and cities like Los Angeles and Pasadena.

I've directed multiple short films, commercials, and public service announcements. One of my most successful campaigns was "Este año, tu voto es Cosa Seria," which aired on national television and was viewed by over 46 million people. The film featured Oscar Nominee actor Edward James Olmos.

My short documentary, "Bad Hombrewood," tackled Hollywood's lack of representation of the Latinx community. It features emerging and renowned filmmakers like Academy Award-winning directors Guillermo Del Toro, Phil Lord, Lee Unkrich, and actress Melissa Fumero. It has been selected in over 40 international film festivals.

I co-directed the horror film "Phantom of the Opera," financed by the six-time Emmy winner John Wells and executive produced by the two-time Oscar nominee John Watson.

As a finalist at "The Commercial Directors Diversity Program (CDDP)," created by the AICP and the DGA, I'm proud to advocate for diversity and representation in the film industry.

My most recent directorial effort is a documentary for X44, a company formed by seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The film will debut in the UK in April 2023.

I'm also passionate about producing films that can make a difference in the world. One of my short films, "Of Reasons and Rumors," was done in collaboration with VaccinateLA to encourage the Latinx community to get vaccinated. The film was presented to the White House Covid-19 Community Corp, the Association of Schools & Programs in Public Health, and the Hispanic Alliance for Health. It has been viewed by millions across the US, Guatemala, and Canada.

Another film I produced, "The Rewrite," was directed by Emmy winner Ken Aguado and starred by Chris Geere and Chris Webster.

I received my BFA in Film from Art Center College of Design with honors and the highest GPA in my class. I also received an "honors term," an award given to only one student across all majors. Additionally, I graduated with my master's degree from the University of Southern California, thanks to The George Lucas Family Foundation Endowed Student Support Fund for Production Scholarship, of which I am a recipient. Lastly, I was also a recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant.

It's been an incredible journey, and I'm excited to keep creating and advocating for representation and diversity in the film industry.

Balam | BLOCK E