Summoning a Film: How Stories Become Films and Films Find Their Audience

This Saturday October 25th at 5:00 pm join us for a very special panel

Every great movie begins as an idea — a whisper, a spark, a haunting image that refuses to fade. But what does it really take to transform that idea into a finished film that connects with audiences? This year at Oculto Film Fest, we explore that journey through our filmmaker discussion panel “Summoning a Film: How Stories Become Films and Films Find Their Audience.”

This conversation gathers voices from every corner of the creative process — from those who write the stories, to those who shape them behind the camera, to the artists who make monsters breathe and wounds bleed, and the strategists who ensure the world sees what they’ve made. Together, they’ll unravel the mysterious and often chaotic process of independent filmmaking — where art, passion, and survival collide.

Naomi B. Gomez – Makeup & SFX Artist

Born and raised in New Mexico, Naomi B. Gomez has been fascinated by horror and gore since she was five years old. That early obsession became a career in makeup and special effects, where she’s helped countless filmmakers bring their passion projects to life across New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. Known for her fearless creativity and hands-on artistry, Naomi’s work turns imagination into flesh, texture, and blood — the kind of tangible horror that only practical effects can achieve. Now, she’s stepping into writing and directing her own projects, continuing her evolution as a storyteller determined to give her nightmares a voice of their own.

Lucky McKee – Director, Writer, Actor

An icon of modern independent horror, Lucky McKee has made a career out of transforming human emotion into cinematic unease. His breakout feature May (2002) became an instant cult classic, praised for its dark humor and haunting empathy. With The Woods (2006) and The Woman (2011), McKee cemented his reputation as a fearless storyteller — one who balances brutality with tenderness, and horror with heart. His films linger long after the credits, reminding us that true terror often lies in the humanity of his characters.

Dakota – Writer & Director

Dakota is a queer writer and director from El Paso, Texas, whose passion for film began when he was only two years old — after watching Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday in theaters. Since then, he’s carved his name into the indie horror scene with short films that balance fear, identity, and dark humor. His film Opening Night, starring Tuesday Knight (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4), and his queer-centered shorts That Tingling Sensation and Shipping Them showcase his sharp storytelling and emotional depth. His debut feature Bedridden won the Audience Award at the El Paso Film Festivaland was distributed by SRS Cinema. Most recently, his film Crawford — exploring the later years of Hollywood icon Joan Crawford — earned the Audience Award at The Plaza Classic Film Festival. Dakota continues to redefine horror through stories rooted in truth, vulnerability, and identity.

Christopher Velasquez – Senior Publicist, Arenas Group

Behind every successful film lies a campaign that connects it with its audience — and few understand that better than Christopher Velasquez. As a Senior Movie Publicist at Arenas Group, Hollywood’s leading entertainment agency for the Hispanic market, Christopher has played key roles in the marketing of blockbuster horror titles like SMILE, The Boogeyman, Annabelle: Creation, and The First Omen. He also represents talent including El Paso’s own Yvette Yates Redick (Day Shift, Inherent Vice) and Evan George Vourazeris (Ozark). Beyond publicity, Christopher has stepped into producing, serving as executive producer on the viral horror short ZZZ and co-producing an upcoming feature with Dark Star Pictures. His expertise reveals the final step in summoning a film — ensuring the story reaches the hearts (and nightmares) of audiences everywhere.

Alfredo Castruita – Filmmaker

Alfredo Castruita (El Paso, Texas, 1984) is a Mexican-American filmmaker whose work explores the physical and emotional landscapes of the border. A graduate of the Los Angeles Film School, his debut short Gustavo (2010) screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner, and his first feature Potosí (2012) earned the Best Mexican Film award at the Guanajuato International Film Festival and multiple Ariel nominations. With films like Cheval (2016) and Azul Claro(2018), Castruita has built a body of work defined by intimacy, social consciousness, and a deep empathy for life on the margins. His cinema is poetic and raw — a bridge between worlds, languages, and silences.

J. Genaro Limón is originally from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and El Paso, Texas, USA. He holds a bachelor's degree in Digital Media Production and Film from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He has experience as Director of Photography on Outlines in the Dark (2018), directed by James Arrabito. Limón has made six short films -four as cinematographer-and wrote and directed La vida que no ves (2018) and La vida silenciosa (2019).

Summoning a Film is more than a discussion — it’s a revelation of the blood, sweat, and spirit that fuels independent cinema. From the first spark of a story to the final marketing push, this panel exposes the rituals that turn ideas into moving images and moving images into shared experiences.

At Oculto Film Fest, we celebrate the creators who dare to cross boundaries, conjure new worlds, and challenge what horror and fantasy can be. This panel is for anyone who’s ever dreamed of making a film — or simply wondered how the dream becomes real.