Turn On The Bright Lights
From the Archives
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Drama, Short Films, 25-Sep-2025
Seeking refuge from their anxieties and menial problems that haunt them at home, two girls from Miami take a last minute surfing trip to Nicaragua. In “Turn On The Bright Lights,” Juanita Umaña ruminates on the memory of a mid-20’s rendezvous. We get familiar with Missy and Layla through a young man’s narration. Alex, who met them during their trip last Winter, managed to hook up with Layla and steal Missy’s journal. As he narrates from the perspective of the journal entries, scenes from the trip play out. The girls bask on the beach, ride waves, and engage in the local nightlife. However as the trip goes on, Missy finds herself questioning her friendship and soaks in ennui. What begins as something reminiscent of an early-aughts teen TV series unfolds into something more reflective, capturing beyond just the spirit of a sandy setting. With a catchy soundtrack and thoughtful low-budget approach, Umaña meditates on fleeting friendships of early adulthood. -JM. Director: Juanita Umaña. Written & Edited: Juanita Umaña & Mario Escoto. DP: Nastasia Humphries. Cast: Casey Coleman, Juanita Umaña, Mario Escoto, Marvin Rodriguez, Madeline Cochran, Owen Donohue. Costume Designer: Camila Umaña. Sound Design: Joesph Magee. Colorist: Rebeca Bercerra Cusi.
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