Every so often, the creative universe sends a little spark your way, and today’s spark arrived in the form of a film poster — and a bit of wonderful news.

A Simple Ad, the short film I wrote for Juan Carlos Hernandez and Adria Kae Hernandez, has been officially selected for a film festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Yes, that Buenos Aires — the one with world‑class cinema culture, passionate audiences, and a long tradition of championing thoughtful, character‑driven stories. Seeing our quiet little short make its way onto an international festival slate feels a bit like watching a paper airplane you folded on a whim suddenly catch a perfect updraft and glide halfway across the room.

Juan sent over the updated poster, complete with laurels, and I’ll admit: it’s surreal in the best possible way. The warm light, the contemplative mood, the clean design — it looks right at home among the kind of indie films that travel well and linger with viewers.

It’s a small milestone, but a meaningful one. And in a summer when the Florida heat could sauté a brick, it’s nice to have something cool and bright to celebrate.

Onward — and here’s hoping this little film keeps finding new places to land.


Comments

10 responses to “‘A Simple Ad’ Heads to Buenos Aires”

  1. What a great opportunity.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It sure is! And Juan says that a related festival in Buenos Aires also likes A Simple Ad.

      Not bad for my first-ever produced screenplay….

      Thanks for the kind comment, Pooj.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Not bad at all, well done!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks, Pooj!

        This must be my week. I FINALLY finished fixing the subheads in the Reunion; Coda section of the omnibus. Now all I need to do is come up with the front and back matter before I publish it.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Oh yay, that’s great. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I made a few minor tweaks to the text in Reunion: Coda; I was already fixing (and adding) subheadings, so why not?

        I still need to complete the back matter, but here’s the dedication:

        Dedication

        This book is for the principal and teachers who helped turn a confused kid into a writer — even if it took me a few decades to figure it out.

        For Dr. Warren G. Burchell, who greeted me on a day when I badly needed kindness. For Ms. Tara Brock, Mrs. Diana Lynn (Jehl) Simonhoff, and Mrs. Sallie C. DeWitt Snyder, who carried me through three years of English and taught me more than they knew. For Mr. Gary Bridge and Ms. Muriel Everton, who handed me the tools of journalism and trusted me to use them.

        And especially for Ms. Elizabeth Joan Owen, my choral director from 1981 to 1983 — a teacher whose music, strength, and humanity stayed with me long after the last bell rang.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. This is so sweet, good teachers genuinely have such a great impact on us.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Thanks, Pooj.

        And you’re absolutely right; good teachers leave an indelible mark on our lives.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. *fingers crossed*

    Liked by 1 person

    1. And a related festival from the organizers also selected A Simple Ad.

      https://alexdiaz-granados.com/2026/07/09/a-second-laurel-in-buenos-aires/

      Liked by 1 person

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