Where Visionaries, Storytelling, and Cinema Converge
Elemental Film Festival
A curated celebration of bold filmmakers, elemental stories, and the transformative power of the moving image.
We champion films that move beyond spectacle and into substance. Films that disturb, inspire, challenge, and transform.
This is not just a screening.
This is a gathering of visionaries.
Discover Our Mission
Film is elemental.
Elemental Film Festival was created to honor storytelling in its most essential form - films rooted in truth, driven by vision, and crafted with intention.
We champion bold filmmakers who understand that cinema is not content — it is art.
Our Mission
Elemental Film Festival is a curated celebration of bold independent cinema, created to elevate visionary filmmakers and foster meaningful connection between artists and audiences. We believe cinema is elemental - a force that moves culture, sparks dialogue, and shapes how we see the world. Our mission is to provide a platform where emerging voices and established storytellers converge in an intimate, high-impact festival experience. Elemental exists to champion artistic integrity, cultural diversity, and fearless storytelling across genres and borders.
Our Vision
We envision Elemental Film Festival as a boutique cinematic gathering rooted in discovery, conversation, and community.
Through intentional programming and thoughtful curation, we aim to:
- Spotlight emerging and underrepresented filmmakers
- Showcase work that challenges, inspires, and resonates
- Create space for meaningful audience engagement
- Strengthen San Antonio’s creative and film ecosystem
- Build a sustainable, artist-first festival model
Elemental is not designed to be the largest festival — it is designed to be one of the most meaningful.
Festival Events
Opening Night Filmmaker Mixer
Friday, June 12, 2026 - 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Kick off Elemental Film Festival with an evening of connection, conversation, and cinema.
Join filmmakers, actors, crew members, artists, and film lovers from across the community for our Opening Night Filmmaker Mixer — a welcoming space to meet collaborators, celebrate storytelling, and connect with the creative voices behind the festival.
Whether you’re screening a film, building your next project, or simply passionate about independent cinema, this is where the festival begins.
The mixer will bring together filmmakers, actors, artists, crew members, and film enthusiasts for an evening of conversation, collaboration, and celebration.
Venue: Pizzeria Vesuvio, located at 1110 S. Alamo Street
Open to filmmakers, festival attendees, and the public
Festival Screenings & Filmmaker Q&A Sessions
Elemental Film Festival
Experience a full day of independent cinema at Elemental Film Festival as filmmakers from around the region and beyond share powerful stories on the big screen.
Screenings begin at 9:30 AM and continue throughout the day, featuring curated blocks of narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated films. Between screening blocks, audiences will have the opportunity to engage directly with filmmakers during live Q&A sessions discussing their creative process, inspiration, and the art of filmmaking.
Whether you are a filmmaker, film lover, student, artist, or supporter of independent cinema, Elemental Film Festival offers an immersive and community-driven cinematic experience celebrating storytelling in all its forms.
Location
The Jean Logwith Radio-Television-Film Building
San Antonio College
110 W. Courtland Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
Event Highlights
- Screenings begin at 9:30 AM
- Filmmaker Q&As between viewing blocks
- Open to filmmakers, students, and the public
Student Showcase — Emerging Voices
Emerging voices take center stage in this special showcase celebrating the next generation of filmmakers. From documentary storytelling and experimental cinema to horror, comedy, and drama, these student-created works offer fresh perspectives, bold creativity, and a glimpse into the future of independent film.
Children of War
Amid the Italian Civil War, two childhood friends unknowingly reunite on opposite sides of a battlefield, forcing them to confront the realities of war and loyalty.
First Blood: War & Womanhood
An introduction to a documentary series exploring the physical, emotional, and cultural impact of a young woman's first menstrual experience.
The Daisy Killers: A New Era
A young San Antonio band navigates the challenges of finding a drummer while building momentum in the local music scene.
The Legacy of Del Bravo Record Shop
A look inside one of San Antonio's most beloved music institutions as a new generation considers the future of the family-owned record store.
Out For A Bite: Vampire Story
A charming vampire's search for her next meal takes an unexpected turn in this horror-comedy romance.
Festivus
An experimental exploration of San Antonio's arts community through the visual language of French New Wave cinema.
Student Filmmaker Q&A
Meet the filmmakers and hear about the inspiration, challenges, and creative process behind their films.
PlotWeaver AI Live Demonstration
A live Zoom presentation showcasing how PlotWeaver AI is helping writers and storytellers develop scripts, stories.
FIRE — Passion
Stories fueled by determination, resilience, and the choices that shape our lives. This block explores the human spirit through drama, comedy, and suspense, highlighting characters who confront adversity, pursue their dreams, and navigate the challenges that test their convictions.
Civil Disobedience: The Samaritan
A routine traffic stop becomes an unexpected lesson in compassion when help arrives from an unlikely source.
Los Dos Hermanos
Two brothers running a taco truck encounter a wealthy stranger whose misfortune changes the course of their dreams.
Dtown: A Hard Lesson of Life
A young man struggles with bad influences, grief, and the search for justice following his father's murder.
Toxic Abuse
A detective's battle with alcoholism threatens both her career and personal life in this noir-inspired drama.
Fire Sky Creek
A family fishing trip takes a bizarre and terrifying turn in this genre-bending tale.
The Path Back to You
A young boy struggling with a family move discovers comfort and belonging through an unexpected adventure.
Filmmaker Q&A
Join the filmmakers for a discussion about storytelling, perseverance, and the creative process.
Lunch Break
AIR — Vision
Imagination takes flight in this collection of fantasy, science fiction, and psychological storytelling. From mythical journeys and futuristic worlds to haunting reflections on identity, these films challenge perception and invite audiences to explore the limitless possibilities of cinema.
3 Stages of Duo
A language-learning app mascot becomes increasingly impossible to ignore in this clever horror-comedy.
The Road of Sadness
A poetic trailer exploring grief, memory, and healing through a mystical journey.
Fidelis Itinere
A young traveler embarks on a mysterious quest filled with strange encounters, wonder, and discovery.
The 11-33
A lone survivor recounts the destruction of Mech Base Eleven and the loss of his fellow crew members.
True Self
A troubled teenager is haunted by a sinister presence that may be supernatural—or the manifestation of his darkest thoughts.
Filmmaker Q&A
A conversation with the filmmakers exploring world-building, genre filmmaking, visual storytelling.
EARTH — Foundation
Grounded in place, memory, and lived experience, this block showcases stories deeply rooted in community and culture. Through suspense, horror, and personal narrative, these films explore the forces that shape who we are and the environments that leave lasting marks on our lives.
Happy Birthday
A birthday celebration becomes the setting for a dark and shocking surprise.
Garden Valley
Inspired by real events on San Antonio's South Side, this thriller explores obsession, violence, and the lingering shadows of tragedy.
Filmmaker Q&A
Meet the filmmakers as they discuss inspiration, local storytelling, and bringing compelling narratives to life.
WATER — Emotion
A moving collection of documentary and music-centered storytelling that celebrates creativity, perseverance, and human connection. From the power of music and artistic expression to stories of transformation and triumph, this closing block reflects the emotional currents that connect us all.
Inside the Room Podcast: Brock Bushong and The Still Shakes
A musician reflects on addiction, recovery, and the pursuit of artistic authenticity through music and storytelling.
Salute
A tribute to the beloved San Antonio music venue Salute featuring stories and rare performance footage from its final years.
De La Calle
A vibrant celebration of San Antonio culture and community featuring Bombasta, filmed in part at the historic Salute music venue.
Toy Chest
Invited to a mysterious mansion, a group of guests find themselves caught in a series of psychological challenges that test their values, desires, and sense of right and wrong. As the game unfolds, hidden truths emerge and the boundaries between temptation and morality begin to blur.
Center Stage PossABILITIES
This inspiring documentary follows a group of special-needs performers as they prepare for a stage production that reveals the transformative power of friendship, creativity, and perseverance.
Closing Filmmaker Q&A
Meet the documentary filmmakers exploring music, community, creativity, perseverance, and storytelling.
Live Zoom Demonstration: PlotWeaver AI — The Future of Storytelling
Storytelling is evolving. Join us for a special live Zoom demonstration of PlotWeaver AI, an innovative platform designed to help creators transform stories across multiple formats and languages. From screenplays and manuscripts to audiobooks, voice narration, subtitling, dubbing, and multilingual content distribution, PlotWeaver empowers storytellers to expand the reach of their work like never before.
Presented live by the PlotWeaver team, this interactive session will showcase how filmmakers, writers, producers, and content creators can leverage AI-powered tools to streamline workflows, reach global audiences, and unlock new creative possibilities. Whether you're developing your next screenplay, producing a film, or exploring emerging technologies in storytelling, this demonstration offers a glimpse into the future of content creation.
Included with Festival Admission • Live Q&A Following the Demonstration
- Open to filmmakers, students, creatives, and the public
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Closing Evening & Elemental Awards Ceremony
Join us for a powerful closing night celebration honoring the filmmakers, artists, and storytellers whose work defined this year’s Elemental Film Festival.
The Closing Evening & Awards Ceremony brings the festival to a cinematic finale with a gathering of filmmakers, actors, creatives, supporters, and audience members coming together to celebrate the art of independent film and the voices shaping its future.
Throughout the evening, Elemental Awards will be presented to films that embody the spirit of the festival’s four core elements:
FIRE — Passion
Stories that burn with urgency and fearless perspective.
WATER — Emotion
Narratives that flow with depth, vulnerability, and resonance.
AIR — Vision
Daring, innovative, and forward-thinking cinema.
EARTH — Foundation
Films grounded in culture, identity, and lived experience.
Best Student Film Award
Recognizing an outstanding student-produced film that demonstrates exceptional creativity, storytelling, and promise from an emerging filmmaker.
Best of Festival Award
Honoring the film that most powerfully embodies the spirit of the Elemental Film Festival through exceptional artistry, storytelling, and overall cinematic excellence.
Celebrate the filmmakers whose stories moved audiences, sparked conversation, and captured the elemental power of cinema.
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM
Closing Remarks & Group Photo
Join us as we celebrate our filmmakers, volunteers, sponsors, and audiences who made the inaugural Elemental Film Festival possible.
- Awards Presentation
- Closing Night Celebration
- Filmmaker Recognition & Final Remarks
- Open to filmmakers, festival attendees, and the public
Meet Our Visionary Team
Our dedicated team is the driving force behind the Elemental Frames Film Festival, bringing together a wealth of experience and passion for cinema.
Robb S. García
Co-Founder / Co-Festival Director
Robb S. García is an independent filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist with a deep commitment to cinematic craft and cultural storytelling. Having screened his work at festivals and collaborated across creative communities, Robb brings both artistic perspective and strategic vision to the development of Elemental Film Festival.
Valerie Garza
Co-Founder / Co-Festival Director
Valerie Garza is a filmmaker, creative producer, and advocate for independent cinema. Her work centers on storytelling that amplifies diverse voices and cultivates artistic community. Through Elemental Film Festival, she seeks to create space where filmmakers are supported, celebrated, and connected.
James Borrego
Programming Director
James Borrego is an accomplished San Antonio filmmaker, educator, and community advocate with more than 30 years of professional experience in media production. He currently serves as Program Coordinator for Media Arts at San Antonio College, where he leads the Radio-Television-Film program and helps prepare students for careers in cinematography, editing, and digital storytelling. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Borrego holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and UTSA. His work is rooted in a Chicano perspective and a passion for authentic, community-centered storytelling.
Our Nonprofit Partnership
Elemental Film Festival operates under the fiscal sponsorship of Cine Studios San Antonio, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing filmmakers and strengthening the creative economy in South Texas.
Through this partnership, Elemental is able to:
- Pursue grants and public funding
- Ensure responsible nonprofit governance
- Operate with transparency and accountability
- Expand educational and community-based programming
Cine Studios San Antonio’s commitment to filmmaker development and cultural investment aligns seamlessly with the mission of Elemental Film Festival.
Join Us at the Festival
Phone
210-773-1833