The short film “El Cumpleaños: Deseos Sangrientos,” directed by FADCOM student Samuel Kum, participated on October 11, 2025, in the 3rd El Farol Thriller/Horror Short Film Festival, organized by CinePRO-FESTIVAL. The film opened the screening and was included in Program #2 as part of the event’s Official Selection. The screening took place at 4:00 p.m. in the Alfonso Carrasco Hall at the Casa de la Cultura Núcleo del Azuay in Cuenca, Ecuador.
The premiere at this cultural venue marked a key moment for the team, which presented its work to the public and the artistic community. The project was developed by ESPOL students under the audiovisual production company Sffilms, led by Samuel Kum. The creative team consisted of Arlette Pacheco (production), Brithany Poveda (cinematography), Antonella Oliva (production design), Ninoska Villavicencio (screenplay), and Ericka Gutierrez (graphic design).
The film crafted a suspenseful narrative built on technical planning, acting direction, and an aesthetic approach aligned with the genre. Participation in the festival served the goal of showcasing university filmmaking in formal exhibition circuits and strengthening the presence of new voices within the national audiovisual landscape. The short film also received support from Cuenca-based singer-songwriter Alex Ponce, who shared the film on his social media, expanding its visibility within the cultural ecosystem.
With its screening at the 3rd El Farol Festival, “El Cumpleaños: Deseos Sangrientos” marked a significant milestone in the careers of its filmmakers, highlighting the impact of collaborative work and the potential of emerging talent in Ecuadorian cinema.
© Photography: Courtesy / Text: José Luis Castro
