# Burros

Burros is a 2021 American short drama film written and directed by Jefferson Stein and starring a cast of first-time actors from the Tohono O'odham Nation where it is set. Eva Longoria serves as an executive producer.
The film held its world premiere at the 20th Annual Tribeca Film Festival on June 18, 2021, and won the Jury Award in the Live Action Short category at the 25th Annual New York International Children's Film Festival qualifying it for the 95th Annual Academy Awards.

## Plot

After her father, a Tohono O'odham tracker, leaves for work assisting the United States Border Patrol on the Mexico–U.S. border, Elsa, a six-year-old Tohono O'odham girl, finds a Hispanic migrant her age, separated from her father as she crossed the border into the United States. Unable to communicate, Elsa takes her through her community in Sells, Arizona and ultimately to her grandmother, Gagi, who speaks Spanish, English, and O'odham and bridges the language barrier.

## Cast

* Amaya Juan as Elsa
* Zuemmy Carrillo as Ena
* Virginia Patricio as Gagi
* Rupert Lopez as Joe
* Armondo 'Mondo' Gonzales as Mondo
* Michael Geronimo as Beatboxer
* Carlos Chico as Beatboxer

## Production
### Development and pre-production

Jefferson Stein researched the Tohono O’odham Nation for two years and worked with the community on the subject matter of the film. He and the producers lived by the reservation during pre-production. Stein further explained this, by saying: "Awareness is the first thing. There were hundreds of stories that I heard while I was there that inspired moments of this project." The film is told over a 24-hour period, ending where it starts, done to highlight the cyclical nature of the separation of families at the border.
The film was developed through fiscal sponsorship by Film Independent.

### Casting

The actors in the film had not acted before. Amaya Juan was discovered through the local Toka team, the women-only sport she plays in the film. Zuemmy Carrillo was cast during lunch at a Bilingual elementary school in nearby Tucson.

### Filming

Principal photography took place over four days on the Tohono O'odham Nation Reservation.

## Release

The film had its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 18, 2021.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Film Festival | Recipients | Result |
| 2021 | Best Short Film | Rhode Island International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Narrative Short - Jury Award | Sidewalk Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2021 | Best Short Film | HollyShorts Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Short Film - Panorama | Tirana International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Narrative Short - Grand Jury Prize | Nashville Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | NAHCC's Best Hispanic Film at Nashville Film Festival Award | Nashville Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2021 | Best Short Film - Live Action | Edmonton International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Narrative Short - Jury Award | Portland Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Narrative Short Film | BendFilm Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Narrative Short - Audience Choice | Santa Fe Independent Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2021 | International Competition - Best Short Film | Kerry Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Jury Prize for Outstanding Ensemble Cast | Tallgrass Film Festival | Cast of Burros | Won |
| 2021 | Best International Short Film | Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Pronck Shorts Competition Award | Leiden International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Short Fiction Film | Leeds International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Live Action Short Film | Chicago International Children's Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best International Film | Minimalen Short Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2022 | Jury Favorite | Nitehawk Shorts Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Audience Award (ages 10+) | New York International Children's Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2022 | Jury Award Live Action Short Film | New York International Children's Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Best Short Film Award | Miami International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Dramatic Short | Arizona International Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Official Competition supported by Sony - Best Short Award | Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia | Burros | Nominated |
| 2022 | Maremetraggio Competition - Best Short Film | ShorTS International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Indigenous Film | Cordillera International Film Festival | Burros | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Dramatic Short - 2nd Runner Up | Woods Hole Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Moonwalker Short Award - Best Short Film | Nòt Film Fest | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Best Narrative Short - Jury Award | Albuquerque Film & Music Experience | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Best Short Film - Audience Award | Indie Street Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Shorts Spotlight: Best of Show | SCAD Savannah Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | New Wave Jury: Runner Up | Cornwall Film Festival | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Best Live Action Short Film | RNCI Red Nation Awards | Burros | Won |
| 2022 | Red Nation Honors: Film Consultant Award - Larry ‘Bear’ Wilson for Burros | RNCI Red Nation Awards | Larry 'Bear' Wilson | Won |
| 2022 | Best Short Film - Teenage Jury | Cinemagic Film Festival - Belfast | Burros | Won |