The Evangelist
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Thriller, Horror
José-Maria, a former college professor escaping political persecution. Grace, a faithful woman with a sadistic streak, what could go wrong? This film is both a reflection of a troubled past and a warning of the future, a thriller with a psychosexual twist.
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This campaign raised $12,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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José-Maria, a former college professor escaping political persecution. Grace, a faithful woman with a sadistic streak, what could go wrong? This film is both a reflection of a troubled past and a warning of the future, a thriller with a psychosexual twist.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Photography by Brendon Burton
A not-so-distant future in the expansive landscape of rural Texas, José-Maria, a former college professor turned fugitive, is running for his life. On his attempt to escape the country’s persecution, he ends up in a town where a couple of extremists take it upon themselves to hunt down “enemies of the state.” Sheltering in an empty church, he encounters Grace. A good Samaritan, she takes him home to hide him from the lynchers.
Through Grace's ministry and care, José-Maria finds some respite. Though this rare peace doesn’t last long, as he soon learns that his host has her own intentions for his body and soul.
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Most of us who grew up religious can relate to the way this environment can leave many people wrestling with obsessive thoughts about whether they’re devout enough, terrified of sin, or constantly striving to stay pure. It shows how easily strong belief can shape (and sometimes distort) our sense of reality, pulling us toward extremes that can feel like absolute truth in the moment.
Set against a turbulent political climate, at The Evangelist core is an exploration of our relationship with our bodies as an external manifestation of ideas and deep-rooted belief.
Photography by Brendon Burton
Visually, I would describe this film as "beauty draped in rot.” It’s desolate and worn out but captivating. It's the present reality breaking and letting the past seep through the cracks.
Although there’s thrilling moments that border on horror, the film moves quietly. This constant restraint makes intense moments feel almost overpowering. The camera is mostly static, when it moves it does it with control and intent. Shot in wide frames that showcase the Texas skies, and extreme close-ups that bring textures and emotion to the front.
We're a couple months away from principal photography, this is when your support matters. Making movies is a human communal endeavor and it involves a team of passionate artists committed to their individual craft, this implies a high level of care, attention to detail, and uniqueness. Every single dollar donated will go directly into the production.
By donating to our campaign, you're not only paying for film supplies but directly supporting young artists in their career.
Glad you asked!
We aim to make a film that feels "lived in", for that reason we want to shoot on location, with practical effects. But more importantly, we need to raise money for meals, cast, crew, permits, some equipment. Here's a handy breakdown:
SFX Makeup.......6.7%
Cast...................16.7%
Crew..................16.7%
Meals..................20%
Locations............30%
Stunts.................6.7%
Permits...............6.7%
Design(Art).......13.3%
Reaching 100% on seed and spark means that we are green lit and we can start production but surpassing our funding goal will mean we can stretch into the next tier which is shooting on our desired format: 16mm film, yes, beautiful celluloid! (We're nerdy and love the textured look of FILM).
Photography by Brendon Burton
What happens after?
We know there is a place for The Evangelist at festivals and intend to apply both domestically and abroad. In addition to the top festivals, we will apply to niche showcases that play to the strengths of our film.
During our run we will also organize events for film lovers and supporters. We believe that filmmaking is a communal experience all around, and we want to bring audiences together to experience the work we've created for them.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Expendables
Costs $250
Save us from shitty rigs like this! We need to buy some expendables: tape, tools, paint, office supplies
Feed the Hungry
Costs $2,000
Happy Crew, happy life! A nice meal and good snacks between scenes is how the magic happens.
Church
Costs $600
This is the location where our two characters meet. With your support we will be able to film inside a beautiful historic church.
VFX Makeup
Costs $500
We want to do practical VFX make-up and we are getting the best artist, your support will pay for the labor and supplies.
Knife play
Costs $650
Yeah... there is a knife. But safety is extremely important so we are hiring a professional stunt coordinator.
Cast
Costs $3,000
Help us bring our characters to life. This will help us pay our actors.
Crew
Costs $5,000
Artists have to pay bills too. Our talented, trained team behind the scenes is working hard to make something beautiful.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Film is the ultimate collaborative art form! Below are just a few of the key positions leading the film.
Born and raised in Mexico City, J.Manzo is a filmmaker and educator committed to authentic creative expression through cinema. His work often deals with the macabre and blurs the line between beauty and terror, the sacred and the profane.
For half a decade Manzo was the lead film mentor at Spy Hop Productions where he worked with hundreds of young filmmakers, helping them build their creative and technical skills, and tell some of the most provocative, and personal stories through high-quality filmmaking.
While working full-time as a teaching artist, Jose continued to write, direct and produce many short films winning several awards and professional accolades.
Manzo is currently completing his MFA in Film Production at the University of Texas at Austin.
Carlos is a first generation Mexican-American filmmaker based in Austin, Texas, whose work centers on highlighting Latinx-American stories through an intimate and naturalistic lens. Carlos is a graduate of the MFA program in Film & Media Production at The University of Texas at Austin and currently an educator at Texas State University.
He is an American Society of Cinematographers' (ASC) Heritage Award nominee for his work as DP on El Fantasma. His latest DP work on Los Mosquitos, won at the Gotham Awards in 2025. His work as a cinematographer has been featured at SXSW, EnergaCAMERIMAGE, NPR, Palm Springs ShortsFest, New Orleans Film Festival, and more. His work in both fiction and documentary make him a versatile visual storyteller with a focus on capturing authentic emotions within the story.
Isabella is a production designer and graphic designer based in Austin, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Design and a minor in Media and Entertainment Industries. With her design background, she values the blending of fine art and film through multimedia designs and creative research to create well rounded visuals for any film she is a part of. She recently collaborated with J.Manzo in Mira, a short film featured in the 2025 SXSW Longhorn Showcase.
Other team members
Of these key positions, we have also added a certified Intimacy Coordinator, Armorer, and Stunt Coordinator. Some of the crew will be grad and undergrad UT Austin students volunteering their time. We are in the middle of the nationwide casting process. The crew size is estimated to be around 25 passionate and talented film folks, mostly located in Austin, Texas.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Photography by Brendon Burton
A not-so-distant future in the expansive landscape of rural Texas, José-Maria, a former college professor turned fugitive, is running for his life. On his attempt to escape the country’s persecution, he ends up in a town where a couple of extremists take it upon themselves to hunt down “enemies of the state.” Sheltering in an empty church, he encounters Grace. A good Samaritan, she takes him home to hide him from the lynchers.
Through Grace's ministry and care, José-Maria finds some respite. Though this rare peace doesn’t last long, as he soon learns that his host has her own intentions for his body and soul.
Most of us who grew up religious can relate to the way this environment can leave many people wrestling with obsessive thoughts about whether they’re devout enough, terrified of sin, or constantly striving to stay pure. It shows how easily strong belief can shape (and sometimes distort) our sense of reality, pulling us toward extremes that can feel like absolute truth in the moment.
Set against a turbulent political climate, at The Evangelist core is an exploration of our relationship with our bodies as an external manifestation of ideas and deep-rooted belief.
Photography by Brendon Burton
Visually, I would describe this film as "beauty draped in rot.” It’s desolate and worn out but captivating. It's the present reality breaking and letting the past seep through the cracks.
Although there’s thrilling moments that border on horror, the film moves quietly. This constant restraint makes intense moments feel almost overpowering. The camera is mostly static, when it moves it does it with control and intent. Shot in wide frames that showcase the Texas skies, and extreme close-ups that bring textures and emotion to the front.
We're a couple months away from principal photography, this is when your support matters. Making movies is a human communal endeavor and it involves a team of passionate artists committed to their individual craft, this implies a high level of care, attention to detail, and uniqueness. Every single dollar donated will go directly into the production.
By donating to our campaign, you're not only paying for film supplies but directly supporting young artists in their career.
Glad you asked!
We aim to make a film that feels "lived in", for that reason we want to shoot on location, with practical effects. But more importantly, we need to raise money for meals, cast, crew, permits, some equipment. Here's a handy breakdown:
SFX Makeup.......6.7%
Cast...................16.7%
Crew..................16.7%
Meals..................20%
Locations............30%
Stunts.................6.7%
Permits...............6.7%
Design(Art).......13.3%
Reaching 100% on seed and spark means that we are green lit and we can start production but surpassing our funding goal will mean we can stretch into the next tier which is shooting on our desired format: 16mm film, yes, beautiful celluloid! (We're nerdy and love the textured look of FILM).
Photography by Brendon Burton
What happens after?
We know there is a place for The Evangelist at festivals and intend to apply both domestically and abroad. In addition to the top festivals, we will apply to niche showcases that play to the strengths of our film.
During our run we will also organize events for film lovers and supporters. We believe that filmmaking is a communal experience all around, and we want to bring audiences together to experience the work we've created for them.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Expendables
Costs $250
Save us from shitty rigs like this! We need to buy some expendables: tape, tools, paint, office supplies
Feed the Hungry
Costs $2,000
Happy Crew, happy life! A nice meal and good snacks between scenes is how the magic happens.
Church
Costs $600
This is the location where our two characters meet. With your support we will be able to film inside a beautiful historic church.
VFX Makeup
Costs $500
We want to do practical VFX make-up and we are getting the best artist, your support will pay for the labor and supplies.
Knife play
Costs $650
Yeah... there is a knife. But safety is extremely important so we are hiring a professional stunt coordinator.
Cast
Costs $3,000
Help us bring our characters to life. This will help us pay our actors.
Crew
Costs $5,000
Artists have to pay bills too. Our talented, trained team behind the scenes is working hard to make something beautiful.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Film is the ultimate collaborative art form! Below are just a few of the key positions leading the film.
Born and raised in Mexico City, J.Manzo is a filmmaker and educator committed to authentic creative expression through cinema. His work often deals with the macabre and blurs the line between beauty and terror, the sacred and the profane.
For half a decade Manzo was the lead film mentor at Spy Hop Productions where he worked with hundreds of young filmmakers, helping them build their creative and technical skills, and tell some of the most provocative, and personal stories through high-quality filmmaking.
While working full-time as a teaching artist, Jose continued to write, direct and produce many short films winning several awards and professional accolades.
Manzo is currently completing his MFA in Film Production at the University of Texas at Austin.
Carlos is a first generation Mexican-American filmmaker based in Austin, Texas, whose work centers on highlighting Latinx-American stories through an intimate and naturalistic lens. Carlos is a graduate of the MFA program in Film & Media Production at The University of Texas at Austin and currently an educator at Texas State University.
He is an American Society of Cinematographers' (ASC) Heritage Award nominee for his work as DP on El Fantasma. His latest DP work on Los Mosquitos, won at the Gotham Awards in 2025. His work as a cinematographer has been featured at SXSW, EnergaCAMERIMAGE, NPR, Palm Springs ShortsFest, New Orleans Film Festival, and more. His work in both fiction and documentary make him a versatile visual storyteller with a focus on capturing authentic emotions within the story.
Isabella is a production designer and graphic designer based in Austin, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Design and a minor in Media and Entertainment Industries. With her design background, she values the blending of fine art and film through multimedia designs and creative research to create well rounded visuals for any film she is a part of. She recently collaborated with J.Manzo in Mira, a short film featured in the 2025 SXSW Longhorn Showcase.
Other team members
Of these key positions, we have also added a certified Intimacy Coordinator, Armorer, and Stunt Coordinator. Some of the crew will be grad and undergrad UT Austin students volunteering their time. We are in the middle of the nationwide casting process. The crew size is estimated to be around 25 passionate and talented film folks, mostly located in Austin, Texas.