WAKE
FREEDON HAS A COST
"Wake" tells the story of Sammy, a Cuban immigrant haunted by the consequences of his decision to lead his family to freedom on a risky journey from Cuba to Miami.
In his quest for redemption, Sammy secretly helps other Cuban refugees despite threats from Gerrard, a self-righteous Coastguard officer. Sammy eventually has to confront his painful past and make a heart-wrenching decision that may alter his fate.
"Wake" delves into themes of remorse, salvation, and the profound human toll experienced when refugees seek sanctuary in a new country.
CAST
CAST
Julio Gabay
"Sammy"
Camila Rodriguez
"Miriam"
Emma Sofia Henriquez
"Eva"
Roberto Sanchez
"Captain Herrera"
Jennifer Fernandez
"Maria"
Abigail Grace Fundora
"Leyla"
CREW
CREW
Director
Avi Youabian is an award-winning Iranian director who has worked on some of the top-performing shows on broadcast, cable & streaming. In 2018 Avi earned an Emmy Nomination for directing and producing duties on The Walking Dead: Red Machete. Prior to directing, Avi worked as an editor in film and television. His strong sense of story and character propelled him into high-profile projects including several pilots for Greg Berlanti, and feature films for prolific artists such as Halle Berry and Jon M. Chu. Avi lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children and is a passionate photographer.
Bochen Zhang is a Los Angeles-based producer who has been working in film and television since 2007. Her work includes the Emmy-nominated TV series, The Walking Dead: Red Machete and Netflix's Ultimate BeastMaster. She co-produced Wonderland, a short film that won 2nd place at HBO's APA Visionary Awards. The award-wining narrative feature she line produced, End of Summer, premiered nationwide in China in 2017. Bochen's feature films, short films and TV series have been broadcast on AMC, HBO, Disney Channel, Lifetime, and Bounce Network.
Rebecca is a Finnish-born Filmmaker known for producing the award-winning Korean-American feature "Junho," as well as a collection of captivating features, documentaries, and the hit TV show "Fashion Sense" on Spectrum OCI6. Her diverse involvement across print, music, narrative, commercial, and corporate media production highlights her versatile expertise. Above all, her profound passion for cultures and global storytelling compels her to create narratives that bring awareness to important issues, which is why the story of "Wake" holds a special significance for her.
Andi Ryan Flores, is an accomplished Director of Photography, who has left his visual imprint across commercial, fashion, and documentary realms, traversing the globe while maintaining a strong connection to his hometown, Miami, FL. With a portfolio including collaborations with renowned brands like Dickies, Spotify, Meta, and Gatorade featuring Serena Williams, Andi's expertise shines through diverse projects. Notably, his upcoming role in the production of "Wake" is anticipated to infuse the film with his signature touch, bringing a touch of magic to its visual storytelling.
Blair Barnette has designed and art directed major film and television productions in The UK, USA and across Europe, working with renowned directors such as Lynn Ramsey, Jim Sheridan, Ben Wheatley and Lisa Gunning. Blair's upcoming contribution to the film "Wake" is highly anticipated, promising to once again showcase her exceptional ability to craft immersive and awe-inspiring visual narratives.
Lexie Garcia is a Tokyo-based writer and emerging art director. Her love of storytelling, as well as her global viewpoint impacted by years of travel, gives her art a profound sense of depth. Lexie's debut as an art director for the short film "Wake" is incredibly close to her heart because her family immigrated from Cuba. She has a keen eye for detail and an undying passion for her craft. Lexie is honored to be able to put together an aesthetic experience that feels authentic and distinctly human, with a poignant visual narrative that will leave a lasting impact.
Valerie Hernández Oloffson, a highly accomplished Casting Director from the Dominican Republic, is fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Haitian Creole, thanks to her multilingual upbringing. In 2009, she founded VHO CASTING, quickly becoming the premier choice for casting in the Dominican Republic, handling both local and international projects. With over 70 projects to her credit, spanning from feature films like "NYAD", "The Killer", "Boca Chica", and "Arthur the King" to TV series such as "Saint X", "Are You Afraid of the Dark", and "The Best Man: The Final Chapters", Valerie has earned acclaim for her talent, winning Best Casting Director awards, recognitions, and nominations. Her expertise extends to casting for television commercials, musical theater, and music videos, where she collaborates with talent from around the world, ranging from main roles to background artists.
Talia Lidia González
Editor
Talia Lidia González, a Miami native, is an Editor with over a decade of experience. A graduate of the University of Southern California, her credits include the critically acclaimed series DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, 12 Monkeys, and most recently, The Company You Keep for ABC.
Geronimo Mercado, a multidisciplinary artist from Puerto Rico, draws from his Latino upbringing to explore diverse art forms, particularly music. As a composer, he embraces eclectic influences and collaborates with underrepresented storytellers, including minority and female directors. Notable film credits include "12 Hours," winner at Tribeca Film Festival, "Miente," Puerto Rico's official Oscar submission, and "200 Letters," featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, garnering recognition at the Platino Awards. He has composed for over 30 films including Hollywood productions such as “Ana” starring Andy Garcia, “Speed Kills” starring John Travolta, and “Driven” starring Jason Sudeikis, a participant at TIFF and Venice Film Festival. He's an alumnus of LAFCI and a CANNES Marché du Film Fellow of the Spot The Composer program.
Director's Statement
My parents escaped from Iran to America, harboring dreams of a better future not just for themselves but also for my younger brother and me. Their sacrifices, love, and unyielding spirit pulse through every page of "WAKE".
"WAKE" didn't just resonate with me as a filmmaker, but profoundly as a father, whose paramount wish is for his children's well-being. Now, as a father of three, the mere thought of losing a child is my deepest dread.
Though this story holds deep personal ties, its themes are universally echoing: sacrifice, love, and the indomitable human spirit that pushes forward even when faced with monumental adversities.
With "WAKE", we aim to magnify the voices and silent calls that motivate every refugee. This narrative transcends the mere desire for a better life; it embodies the pursuit of existence itself, a relentless hunt for hope, and the promise of a more radiant tomorrow.
I hold a steadfast belief that "WAKE" will extend beyond evoking emotions. It's sculpted to ignite dialogue and hopefully recalibrate views, offering viewers an intimate dive into the refugee journey toward finding a "home".
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SCREENINGS
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BEHIND THE SCENES
PRODUCTION STILLS
A little History
WHY DID WE MAKE THIS SHORT?