Candles
Houston, Texas | Film Short
Drama, Family
CANDLES is a 15-min period drama that looks at the intersection of the Vietnam War's impact on Latinos and the father-son relationship through drama and magical realism. It explores a perspective rarely seen in media: Latino families left to pick up the pieces. Underscored by the harms of Machismo.
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$3,910
Goal: $10,000 for production
CANDLES is a 15-min period drama that looks at the intersection of the Vietnam War's impact on Latinos and the father-son relationship through drama and magical realism. It explores a perspective rarely seen in media: Latino families left to pick up the pieces. Underscored by the harms of Machismo.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Since their son Johnny's passing in Vietnam, Martín, a broken-down candlemaker, has lost himself in his work. While, Alma, his wife, has spent most of her time alone. Handling the household and their strained marriage. Alma has taken the steps to process her grief by routinely visiting their son's memorial in the nearby forest. But Martín has spent years avoiding it.
Until one night, he hears President Nixon announce the U.S.'s departure from Vietnam. Suddenly the wall he's spent years building begins to crack. He's forced to face the reality: it's over. His mind begins to spiral; mistakes and memories from the past bleed into the present. Apparitions of his son begin to appear.
He goes to his son's room, trying to stabilize. Suddenly, Johnny's apparition emerges. Martín tries to reach out, but Johnny vanishes. Leading Martín to accidentally drop Johnny's favorite crystal. He quickly picks up the fragments when a mysterious bright light emits. Martín runs to his shed, using the crystal fragments to make a candle for his son's memorial. Now he faces the hardest part: taking the first step on his journey.
Stills from "I Know This Much is True"
Why this story?
The Vietnam War has deeply influenced Latin American culture, and its impact continues to be felt today in our politics, patriotism, and nationalism. Unfortunately, this war is not as thoroughly covered in history classes as other conflicts, leaving younger generations unaware of its significance. Much of what we see regarding the Vietnam War (or any American war) rarely displays Latinos, even though we have fought in every major American conflict. Even less do we see what the families had to endure at home post-war.
Given the current political climate, representation and historical context are crucial for Latinos' progress. Media representation of Latinos remains limited, especially in Texas. It’s important now more than ever to create media by Latinos for Latinos. Media that honestly portrays the realities of war and the country’s neglect of its citizens, reminding us of our past to build a better future for our community.
My Grandfather, Richard Davila, and his father, Guadalupe Davila.
I've always believed you gotta know where you come from to know where you're going.
"Candles" was inspired by my grandfather’s stories of his life during the 60s and 70s, when the Vietnam War loomed over his high-school years and became a potential reality. What struck me most was the relationship with his father, who played a major role in keeping that reality as far away as possible. My great-grandfather, who had served as an ambulance driver in World War II, felt that his sacrifice should have been enough to keep his sons from conflict. He believed this wasn’t a war worth his son’s fighting in. So he guided my grandfather as best he could to avoid conscription. This led my grandfather to join the National Guard, where he saw waves of men shipped out, never to return home. As fate would have it, he never left.
Since then, I've reflected on the young men who didn’t make it back, and the families left to pick up the pieces. Wondering, "What was it all for?" The reality of the war’s impact on Latin Americans is usually left unspoken and overlooked. With my personal connection to this side of American history, I am committed to ensuring these stories are told so that the families' sacrifices and struggles are recognized and honored.
Tonal compositions from films "Camera Buff", "No End", and "Mirror".
We plan to shoot on 35mm film to capture, as much as possible, the authenticity of the period. Martín and Alma live in a modest one-story home; its darkness reflects the looming melancholy they constantly live with. The desaturated colors paired with the slow pacing of the visual language convey how the characters experience their environment. With the loss of their son, their world lost its light and its color. Magical realism plays a unique twist on how Martín handles his grief. It relies on the idea of connected spirits from the real world to the afterlife.
The film is set on the outskirts of Southeast Texas. Here, we see flatlands mixed with tall grass and woodlands where our characters live. This is not only for the story’s accuracy, but to underline Martín and Alma’s isolation from the rest of the world. This environment highlights the country’s abandonment of the families of fallen soldiers, forced to move on.
We are currently in the development phase.
From July 2026 to October 2026, we will be in our development phase. We are taking this time to gather our key department heads and secure funding before we begin production.
November 2026 to December 2026 will be the start of pre-production, transitioning to our production dates!
This means we will be going through the script, breaking it down, creating a shot list, securing locations and equipment, locking in crew members, and casting our actors.
December 2026: our post-production phase, which will be spent on editing the footage, mixing audio, scoring the film, color grading, and creating VFX.
March 2027 - Candles premieres! The big event will be a showcase of homegrown Latino talent in collaboration with nonprofit organizations whose missions are to aid Latinos and veterans in Houston and Texas.
To widen the reach of this film, we are strategizing on submitting to film festivals regionally and nationwide that focus on Latinx stories. After a couple of years of festival runs, the film will be available virtually, where anyone can have access to it.
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We are also supported in part by the Houston Arts Alliance.
PREVIOUS WORKS
My films, Proverbs (2024) and This Station is My Father (2025) have been screened at festivals such as: Houston Latino Film Festival, Houston Cinema Arts Festival, ATX Short Film Showcase, and REELPoetry 2025.
My team, comprised of David Mejia and Rafael Elorza, with years of experience in filmmaking, having worked on large-scale commercials, features, TV shows, and shorts. We'll get the job done!
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SPREAD THE WORD
Whether or not you can make a financial contribution, following this page and helping get the word out to 5 of your friends, family, or colleagues can make a big impact in helping us reach the greenlight!
So grab your devices and spread the word!
We put together some cheers for you to copy/paste onto social media:
I'm rooting for the period-drama @candlesfilm to make it to the big screen! Join the team at: bit.ly/candlesfilm @candlesfilm
@candlesfilm is filming in Houston this winter! Join me in helping them get greenlit on @seedandspark Jump on board: bit.ly/candlesfilm
MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT
Follow us on Seed&Spark. 250 followers will give us access to perks, products, services, and festival waivers offered by Seed&Spark. 500 followers will get us even more! and 1000 unlocks a world of possibilities!
Follow the journey from script to screen on Instagram @candlesfilm and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/filmcandles.
Stay in the Loop on all Timoteo Cortez’s projects and his journey as a creator here: www.timoteocortez.com
Executive Producer opportunities on CANDLES are available for larger contributions. Email [email protected] for more information.
As a group of young filmmakers in Houston, our strategy for seeking help from the community is a first step in the right direction toward creating a supportive community that encourages challenging art.
Thank you for your time and support, especially to those who have been along for the ride from the beginning. We're excited to get to work. How much you contribute, whether big or small, makes a difference!
Thank you!
- Candles Crew
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Creating the period
Costs $1,000
The Art Department team needs more resources to display the current state of the characters' world while remaining authentic to the period.
Authentic Location
Costs $1,000
Securing a home that captures the authenticity of the area and lifestyle our characters live is imperative.
Cast & Crew
Costs $3,000
We need to pay fair rates for the creative team behind this project. Without them, there is no film.
Camera Package
Costs $2,000
We need the right tools to cultivate the story as it's meant to be told.
Sound Package
Costs $2,000
Sound quality is crucial to get right. This amount will give us access to higher-quality gear and a professional sound team.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Timoteo Cortez - Director/ Writer/ Producer
Timoteo has written and directed narrative short films such as “Proverbs” and “This Station is My Father”. He’s screened at festivals such as the Houston Latino Film Festival, ATX Short Film Showcase, and the Houston Filmmaker Showcase.
Timoteo Cortez is a Chicano Writer/Director from Houston, Texas. Growing up as a military child has exposed him to different people and subcultures across the nation. Through this exposure to various cultures, art, and history, Timoteo discovered his passion for storytelling. He hopes to share stories from the perspective of the Latino community that has seldom been heard.
David Mejia - Director of Photography
David has DP’d on music videos “Don't U Wanna Fly” for musician Peyton, “Calamity” for musician Wage; Narrative films: “Blue Devils”, “Proverbs”, “Subject”, and most recent “The Light That Shines On Mary”, which was screened by Houston Cinema Arts Society.
David Mejia is a Guatemalan-American DP from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Houston’s Performance & Visual Arts school, where he discovered his passion for Cinematography. David has worked as a DP for various projects, spanning from commercials, music videos, and indie features. He treats every project as a chance to elevate his skill set and believes that, with his aid, he can create beautiful imagery that will make any film stand out.
Rafael Elorza - Producer
Rafael has written and directed short films such as “Faces” and his most recent, “Subject”, which will be screening at the Houston Latino Film Festival. He has also worked as a producer for “Taco Date Supreme” and Associate Producer for the music video “Silver Joy” by Damian Jurado.
Rafael is a Mexican-American writer/ Director from Houston, Texas. With experience in the indie film world, Rafael has worked across commercials, music videos, and short films, taking on roles including assistant director, producer, and director of photography. His work is deeply influenced by themes of identity, as he seeks to explore himself and others through stories that help audiences better understand who they are.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Since their son Johnny's passing in Vietnam, Martín, a broken-down candlemaker, has lost himself in his work. While, Alma, his wife, has spent most of her time alone. Handling the household and their strained marriage. Alma has taken the steps to process her grief by routinely visiting their son's memorial in the nearby forest. But Martín has spent years avoiding it.
Until one night, he hears President Nixon announce the U.S.'s departure from Vietnam. Suddenly the wall he's spent years building begins to crack. He's forced to face the reality: it's over. His mind begins to spiral; mistakes and memories from the past bleed into the present. Apparitions of his son begin to appear.
He goes to his son's room, trying to stabilize. Suddenly, Johnny's apparition emerges. Martín tries to reach out, but Johnny vanishes. Leading Martín to accidentally drop Johnny's favorite crystal. He quickly picks up the fragments when a mysterious bright light emits. Martín runs to his shed, using the crystal fragments to make a candle for his son's memorial. Now he faces the hardest part: taking the first step on his journey.
Stills from "I Know This Much is True"
Why this story?
The Vietnam War has deeply influenced Latin American culture, and its impact continues to be felt today in our politics, patriotism, and nationalism. Unfortunately, this war is not as thoroughly covered in history classes as other conflicts, leaving younger generations unaware of its significance. Much of what we see regarding the Vietnam War (or any American war) rarely displays Latinos, even though we have fought in every major American conflict. Even less do we see what the families had to endure at home post-war.
Given the current political climate, representation and historical context are crucial for Latinos' progress. Media representation of Latinos remains limited, especially in Texas. It’s important now more than ever to create media by Latinos for Latinos. Media that honestly portrays the realities of war and the country’s neglect of its citizens, reminding us of our past to build a better future for our community.
My Grandfather, Richard Davila, and his father, Guadalupe Davila.
I've always believed you gotta know where you come from to know where you're going.
"Candles" was inspired by my grandfather’s stories of his life during the 60s and 70s, when the Vietnam War loomed over his high-school years and became a potential reality. What struck me most was the relationship with his father, who played a major role in keeping that reality as far away as possible. My great-grandfather, who had served as an ambulance driver in World War II, felt that his sacrifice should have been enough to keep his sons from conflict. He believed this wasn’t a war worth his son’s fighting in. So he guided my grandfather as best he could to avoid conscription. This led my grandfather to join the National Guard, where he saw waves of men shipped out, never to return home. As fate would have it, he never left.
Since then, I've reflected on the young men who didn’t make it back, and the families left to pick up the pieces. Wondering, "What was it all for?" The reality of the war’s impact on Latin Americans is usually left unspoken and overlooked. With my personal connection to this side of American history, I am committed to ensuring these stories are told so that the families' sacrifices and struggles are recognized and honored.
Tonal compositions from films "Camera Buff", "No End", and "Mirror".
We plan to shoot on 35mm film to capture, as much as possible, the authenticity of the period. Martín and Alma live in a modest one-story home; its darkness reflects the looming melancholy they constantly live with. The desaturated colors paired with the slow pacing of the visual language convey how the characters experience their environment. With the loss of their son, their world lost its light and its color. Magical realism plays a unique twist on how Martín handles his grief. It relies on the idea of connected spirits from the real world to the afterlife.
The film is set on the outskirts of Southeast Texas. Here, we see flatlands mixed with tall grass and woodlands where our characters live. This is not only for the story’s accuracy, but to underline Martín and Alma’s isolation from the rest of the world. This environment highlights the country’s abandonment of the families of fallen soldiers, forced to move on.
We are currently in the development phase.
From July 2026 to October 2026, we will be in our development phase. We are taking this time to gather our key department heads and secure funding before we begin production.
November 2026 to December 2026 will be the start of pre-production, transitioning to our production dates!
This means we will be going through the script, breaking it down, creating a shot list, securing locations and equipment, locking in crew members, and casting our actors.
December 2026: our post-production phase, which will be spent on editing the footage, mixing audio, scoring the film, color grading, and creating VFX.
March 2027 - Candles premieres! The big event will be a showcase of homegrown Latino talent in collaboration with nonprofit organizations whose missions are to aid Latinos and veterans in Houston and Texas.
To widen the reach of this film, we are strategizing on submitting to film festivals regionally and nationwide that focus on Latinx stories. After a couple of years of festival runs, the film will be available virtually, where anyone can have access to it.
We are also supported in part by the Houston Arts Alliance.
PREVIOUS WORKS
My films, Proverbs (2024) and This Station is My Father (2025) have been screened at festivals such as: Houston Latino Film Festival, Houston Cinema Arts Festival, ATX Short Film Showcase, and REELPoetry 2025.
My team, comprised of David Mejia and Rafael Elorza, with years of experience in filmmaking, having worked on large-scale commercials, features, TV shows, and shorts. We'll get the job done!
SPREAD THE WORD
Whether or not you can make a financial contribution, following this page and helping get the word out to 5 of your friends, family, or colleagues can make a big impact in helping us reach the greenlight!
So grab your devices and spread the word!
We put together some cheers for you to copy/paste onto social media:
I'm rooting for the period-drama @candlesfilm to make it to the big screen! Join the team at: bit.ly/candlesfilm @candlesfilm
@candlesfilm is filming in Houston this winter! Join me in helping them get greenlit on @seedandspark Jump on board: bit.ly/candlesfilm
MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT
Follow us on Seed&Spark. 250 followers will give us access to perks, products, services, and festival waivers offered by Seed&Spark. 500 followers will get us even more! and 1000 unlocks a world of possibilities!
Follow the journey from script to screen on Instagram @candlesfilm and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/filmcandles.
Stay in the Loop on all Timoteo Cortez’s projects and his journey as a creator here: www.timoteocortez.com
Executive Producer opportunities on CANDLES are available for larger contributions. Email [email protected] for more information.
As a group of young filmmakers in Houston, our strategy for seeking help from the community is a first step in the right direction toward creating a supportive community that encourages challenging art.
Thank you for your time and support, especially to those who have been along for the ride from the beginning. We're excited to get to work. How much you contribute, whether big or small, makes a difference!
Thank you!
- Candles Crew
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Creating the period
Costs $1,000
The Art Department team needs more resources to display the current state of the characters' world while remaining authentic to the period.
Authentic Location
Costs $1,000
Securing a home that captures the authenticity of the area and lifestyle our characters live is imperative.
Cast & Crew
Costs $3,000
We need to pay fair rates for the creative team behind this project. Without them, there is no film.
Camera Package
Costs $2,000
We need the right tools to cultivate the story as it's meant to be told.
Sound Package
Costs $2,000
Sound quality is crucial to get right. This amount will give us access to higher-quality gear and a professional sound team.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Timoteo Cortez - Director/ Writer/ Producer
Timoteo has written and directed narrative short films such as “Proverbs” and “This Station is My Father”. He’s screened at festivals such as the Houston Latino Film Festival, ATX Short Film Showcase, and the Houston Filmmaker Showcase.
Timoteo Cortez is a Chicano Writer/Director from Houston, Texas. Growing up as a military child has exposed him to different people and subcultures across the nation. Through this exposure to various cultures, art, and history, Timoteo discovered his passion for storytelling. He hopes to share stories from the perspective of the Latino community that has seldom been heard.
David Mejia - Director of Photography
David has DP’d on music videos “Don't U Wanna Fly” for musician Peyton, “Calamity” for musician Wage; Narrative films: “Blue Devils”, “Proverbs”, “Subject”, and most recent “The Light That Shines On Mary”, which was screened by Houston Cinema Arts Society.
David Mejia is a Guatemalan-American DP from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Houston’s Performance & Visual Arts school, where he discovered his passion for Cinematography. David has worked as a DP for various projects, spanning from commercials, music videos, and indie features. He treats every project as a chance to elevate his skill set and believes that, with his aid, he can create beautiful imagery that will make any film stand out.
Rafael Elorza - Producer
Rafael has written and directed short films such as “Faces” and his most recent, “Subject”, which will be screening at the Houston Latino Film Festival. He has also worked as a producer for “Taco Date Supreme” and Associate Producer for the music video “Silver Joy” by Damian Jurado.
Rafael is a Mexican-American writer/ Director from Houston, Texas. With experience in the indie film world, Rafael has worked across commercials, music videos, and short films, taking on roles including assistant director, producer, and director of photography. His work is deeply influenced by themes of identity, as he seeks to explore himself and others through stories that help audiences better understand who they are.