Claddagh (2024)

Childhood best friends, Ethan Hernandez and Gabriel Ramos Alvarado, have become increasingly different people over the years. While the end of high school stares them in the face, Ethan fears he’s not quite ready to let Gabriel go. As they lightheartedly chat about their different, culturally significant jewelry pieces, Ethan’s feelings toward his friend become harder to ignore.

CLADDAGH is a short film that doubles as a proof-of-concept for a larger series titled EXURBIA. CLADDAGH Centers on two teenage boys on the precipice of adulthood, Ethan and Gabriel stumble to define themselves and their relationship with each other. It's a love letter to my hometown, Joliet, IL, and what it meant to come of age there. Messy, defensive, and most of all, Midwestern, growing up in the shadow of Chicago makes you feel you have something to prove—-and that’s at the heart of these characters.

There are two versions of CLADDAGH, a cinematic cut that is currently in its festival run, as well as a digicam version that you can watch for free here >>.