The fourth edition of Tu Apaseo en Corto celebrated the creativity of emerging filmmakers while honoring the cultural memory of Apaseo el Grande. Actor and activist Tenoch Huerta joined the jury as a special guest, using his presence to inspire participants to embrace the opportunities the festival provides.

Tenoch Huerta Motivates Emerging Filmmakers

Huerta joined the panel as a special guest alongside three other judges. Huerta evaluated ten short films submitted by creators from Apaseo, Celaya, and Salvatierra. He took time to address the audience, urging young filmmakers to value every chance to learn and practice their craft. He reminded them that filmmaking requires both technical preparation and a personal vision.

“Making films is not easy in Mexico or anywhere in the world,” Huerta said. “When you have the technical elements, the human factor, and the eye behind the camera, that is what makes the difference.” His words framed cinema as a craft shaped by skill and imagination, rather than resources alone.

Huerta urged participants to seize the opportunities the festival offered and to use film to tell their stories. He described film as a mirror of local pride and a powerful tool for cultural expression.

A Celebration of Stories and Identity

The festival took place as part of the 500th anniversary of Apaseo el Grande. Ten short documentaries competed, each highlighting an aspect of the town’s traditions, people, or history.

The winning entry, Pepe el Grande, received 50,000 pesos. The documentary told the story of Don José G. Buenrostro, a local chronicler who spent his life preserving the oral histories and cultural memory of the community. Judges praised the film for its commitment to honoring a man whose work defined Apaseo’s collective heritage.

Second place went to Heirs of the Maguey, a documentary that explored the tradition of pulque production in the community of El Vicario. The award included an intensive workshop with specialist Bertha Romero. The film highlighted the producers’ efforts to keep the centuries-old drink alive. It also showcased the skill and dedication involved in its preparation.

Other entries explored subjects such as lantern-making, local pilgrimages, and the legacy of charrería, offering a vivid portrait of the region’s culture and resilience. Each film underscored the importance of storytelling as a means of preserving memory and strengthening community identity.

Linking Local Film to Global Experience

During his address, Huerta also reflected on his work in Hollywood, particularly in the Marvel saga. He spoke about the importance of cultural honesty in major productions and described how Mayan scholars advised the film to ensure authenticity.

“For me, beyond playing a character, the most important thing is that the story resonates with people,” he said. He explained that his pride comes not only from professional recognition but from ensuring that stories reflect genuine voices and perspectives.

Film as a Shared Legacy

Huerta closed with a call for collective engagement. He invited the audience to see cinema as a living archive of local values and experiences. “What makes Apaseo great is its people,” he remarked, thanking the community for its hospitality and passion for culture.

By blending his Hollywood experience with his dedication to grassroots storytelling, Huerta emphasized that young filmmakers hold the responsibility of shaping how their communities are remembered. The festival, he noted, provides the tools and the space to do exactly that.

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