Last year Mexican short film ‘El Beso’ by Carlos G Davila walked away with not on the Best Film award, but the film, English title ‘The Kiss’ took home the audience voted for best film award as well! We catch up with director Carlos to find our what he has been up to over the last few months.
Can you tell us what ‘El Beso’ is about and what made you want to tell this story?
‘El Beso’ was brought to me by Roberto Cavazos (lead actor/co-producer, pictured below). 
He had read the script while doing a play in Scotland and wanted to make this into a short film. He called me and asked if I would be interested in producing the short. After I read the script and fell in love with it, I said that I would definitely produce it but only if I get to direct it. The simplicity of the film, and its universal qualities captured me immediately and made me relate to the characters. This ability to relate to a universal situation about the thin line between friendship and love is what made me decide to make this film.
What you have been up to since winning ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Audience Film’ at the 2014 WISFF?
After winning these awards ‘El Beso’ has traveled to festivals all over the world. From big festivals such as Tribeca Cannes Short Film Corner, Guanajuato, Morelia, Austin and Cleveland to smaller ones such as Monterrey, Shnit, Seoul, Baghdad, and others. We´ve been extremely happy with the response people have had towards this film. And having met so many amazing film makers from all over the world I have started to make strategic alliances to help raise funds and produce projects from other filmmakers in other countries.
Sounds like you have been busy! Are you working on anything at the moment?
I am currently working on 2 feature length projects that I wrote that are in development (fund raising) and also finishing the script for a short film I want to shoot soon.
So what made you get into filmmaking originally and what do you most love about it?
I have always loved to read and lose myself in stories. Since I was a kid I loved books, comic books, cartoons and films. The movies that inspired me as a kid are Never Ending Story, Goonies, Indiana Jones, StarWars and later on Jurassic Park. The thing I love about film is that you can get lost in another world and experience any range of emotions and even extraordinary events.
And finally, what’s the best advice you could give to a fellow filmmaker?
Do it yourself. Money, time, other people, equipment, etc.. these are all cheap excuses to not get things done.
Follow Carlos on twitter and find out more about his film projects at the links below: @carlosgdavila
Like El Beso on Facebook at: facebook.com/elbesoshort and facebook.com/reverieworkshop
& instagram @carlosgdavila
El Beso
Directed by Carlos G Davila
Written by Mark Harvey Levine
Starring Roberto Cavazos
