Every clown has a first joke. Clown 345 is about one boy’s moment—the fragile, tender beat before laughter arrives. Co-written by Juan Carlos Hernandez and me, and starring Anthony James Hernandez as the Young Clown, this eight-minute short unfolds in a silent exchange of glances, jitters, and hope. Adria Kay Hernandez and Juan Carlos Hernandez round out the cast as the clown parents—each grappling with their own silent dreams.
It was shot on a shoestring budget, handheld and heartfelt, with a DVX 100B and the kind of commitment only family can bring.
And now, Clown 345 is heading to the Momo International Film Festival in Lousã, Portugal, hosted by the Museu do Circo—a space that honors the spirit behind the greasepaint. It’s not just recognition—it’s resonance. A quiet film about courage chosen by a festival that sees beyond the spectacle to the soul of the circus.
To our tiny cast and crew: we made something honest.
To those who watch it: we hope it speaks softly and stays with you.
A Certain Point of View, Too 