Festivales & Awards

BAFICI (Argentina, 2024) – Best National Short Film

Tribeca Festival (USA, 2024) – Winner Exceptional Craftsmanship Moving the Spotlight – Academy Awards Qualifying Film Festival

Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara (Mexico, 2024) – Academy Awards Qualifying Film Festival

Hollyshorts Film Festival (USA, 2024) – Academy Awards Qualifying Film Festival

FICIC Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de Cosquín (Argentina, 2024) – Planos de Provincia

Festival de Cine Monumental de las Sierras (Argentina, 2024)

Director’s notes

This is a story about two lonely people in an environment that is being destroyed, whose paths connect. The narrative delves into the universal fear of loneliness and emptiness, which drives us to seek purpose in various forms: a career, a job, a fight. But what happens when that sense of purpose falters? Are we prepared to relinquish it? In a world plagued by destruction, do we prioritize self-preservation or collective action? Do we condemn those contributing to the problem or offer compassion and empathy?

Inspired by the recurrent wildfires ravaging my hometown of Cordoba, Argentina, where over 500,000 hectares of protected forest have been burnt intentionally for development projects, this film is a visceral response to my growing rage and despair. In the face of government apathy, local communities have courageously banded together as volunteer brigades to combat these fires. Yet, even within these collective efforts, human complexities and divergent opinions emerge.

Through the juxtaposition of individualism and community, isolation and connection, fury and empathy, the film probes the existential question: what path should we take, if any? This fictional narrative is rooted in a real-world context, born from my visceral emotions, and crafted with the collaboration and participation of its protagonists. Probably as my way to find some sort of sense, of meaning, and feel that my life is worth something.

Interviews & Reviews

‘El corto pone en la pantalla grande una historia que cuenta con crudeza la humanidad, los ideales y contradicciones de una brigadista que, cansada de las injusticias  y el avance de los mega desarrollos inmobiliarios, acciona por mano propia’.  Inés Domínguez Cuaglia for La Tinta.

‘Cuando todo arde emerge como un llamado urgente sobre la destrucción ambiental y la batalla desesperada de aquellos que se alzan en su defensa.’ Juan Pablo Russo for Escribiendocine. 

Interview to María Belén Poncio by Mauro Lukasievicz for Revista Caligari.

Video interview to María Belén Poncio by BronxNet.