Los Angeles, CA – June 6, 2022. Christopher Matias Aguila’s HOTTER UP CLOSE premieres at Dances with Films. Directed by Leland Montgomery the LGBTQ short film premieres on June 13, 2022, at 5:00 pm. Get your tickets and more information at DWF.
Synopsis: On the eve of his 30th birthday, a gay slacker must overcome his crippling insecurities in order to find love.
“We often want to give what we wish to receive. Love, inclusion, acceptance, representation, and joy are what come to mind for me. Like so many of us, the pandemic has completely reshaped the way I live, see myself, and view my priorities,” says screenwriter, Aguila. After contracting Covid in March 2020, and spending a lot of time alone, Aguila reflected on the transient nature and loneliness of life, which brought him to bring together a diverse community of talented artists and “make something we could all be proud of, and have so much fun along the way.”
Watch the official trailer for HOTTER UP CLOSE as directed by Leland Montgomery
The isolation and loneliness themes in the film are resonant right now as we move through the Covid-19 crisis. Additionally, the LGBTQIA+ focused project largely stars people of color.
The production stars Christopher Matias Aguila (The Non Essentials), Liz Jenkins (Black-ish), Francisco San Martin (Jane the Virgin, Days of our Lives), Luke Millington-Drake (The Cuphead Show!), Jay Renshaw (Dead to Me, Feud, Criminal Minds), Mike Abbate, Devon Drew, Carl Ezold, Anthony Garcia, Elijah Olachea, Mick Torres, John David Williams, and Alice Victoria Winslow.
HOTTER UP CLOSE is produced by Carolyn Manetti (The Cell, Bones, The Price of Glory),. The Director of Photography is Michael Basha (Samir), Production Designer is Anthony Robles, Costume Designer is Cassidy Cooper, Composer is Party Nail’s Elana Belle Carroll, Editors are Steven Markowitz (Hands of Flame) and Ya-Ting Itchy Yang (Dream Lover) and Publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR (Liza Anonymous).
HOTTER UP CLOSE at Dances with Films on June 13, 2022, at 5:00 pm.
CHRISTOPHER MATIAS AGUILA (Screenwriter) is an Asian-American actor, writer, and producer from Long Beach, CA. He studied Theatre at the University of Southern California and Meisner at The Esper Studio in New York City.
LELAND MONTGOMERY (Director) is an LA-based writer and director. He recently graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with an MFA. In 2014 he wrote and directed God Particles (webseries) which won two IAWTV awards. Afterward, it was featured in LACMA’s Young Directors Night.
In 2015, he wrote and directed Cruisers (short) which was part of Cinema Diverse – Palm Springs’ LGBT Film Festival. In 2017, he co-wrote and directed Like Animals which screened at many festivals. It screened at LA Shorts International and the 40th Asian American Film Festival. In addition, it screened at the San Diego Asian American Film Festival, and the New Hope Film Festival. It was also featured on Film Shortage and Omeleto.
In 2019, he wrote and directed Black at in a Dark Room which premiered at Fantasia Film Festival. It went on to win the Wes Craven Award for best horror short at the Catalina Film Festival. After that, it went to Fantasia and Catalina. Finally, it screened at Hollyshorts, the Sidewalk Film Festival, Calgary International, and several others.
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