“Las Desqueridas”Cinematic Sound Excellence Award Recipient

Directed by: Gonzalo Ruiz Esteban

Festival Edition: Winterfest ’26

Award Recognition: Cinematic Sound Excellence

Feature Type: Official Press Winners Feature

Published by: Cinematic Luxe Indie Showcase

Publication Date: April, 2026

Feature ID: CL-PF-WF26-014

Feature Overview

Las Desqueridas presents a grounded and emotionally driven story centered on friendship, ambition, and the tension that emerges when personal and professional lives collide. Through its intimate focus on the relationship between Carlota and María, the film builds a narrative that feels both immediate and relatable.

While the story unfolds within a realistic setting, its emotional weight is elevated through a careful balance of performance, visual composition, and sound design. The result is a film that not only captures conflict, but allows the audience to feel it placing them directly within the evolving dynamic of its characters.

Cinematic Luxe Insight

Las Desqueridas stands out through its cohesive integration of sound, music, and visual storytelling. The film uses audio not simply as support, but as an active emotional force guiding the tone, rhythm, and internal experience of its characters.

With a Narrative Insights Score of 8.2 / 10 — Strong, the film demonstrates confident direction, strong technical execution, and a clear understanding of how cinematic elements work together to shape audience experience.

Director Conversation

The following conversation is presented as part of Cinematic Luxe’s official winners feature spotlight.

Sound & Vision

Congratulations on winning the Cinematic Sound Excellence Award. When you began shaping the film, how early did sound and music become part of the storytelling vision?

Once we had a clear idea of the edit, we began shaping the short film’s sound design. We wanted SFX to play an important role, especially in the parts where the characters go through an emotional transition. We had already chosen the songs even before shooting the short, and we wanted them to appear at the beginning and the end, creating a circular musical structure.

Atmosphere & Tone

The sound design and music work together to create a strong atmosphere. How did you approach blending those elements with the film’s visual style and cinematography?

The sound design had to reinforce the dreamlike moments of the two characters against an infinite black background. These moments represent María’s intrusive thoughts—the girl who leaves the theater. Therefore, we felt it was important for the sound to create a sense of unease and discomfort, mirroring her thoughts. We wanted the music at the beginning to be somewhat danceable but emotionally intense, while the final song would provide an auditory relief, as it accompanies a moment of friendship, celebration, and reconciliation between them.

Planning & Execution

From a directing standpoint, were there specific scenes where you planned the visuals and sound design together to heighten the emotional impact?

In the opening sequence and the final dance sequence, the songs were chosen before shooting. As for sound design, there was a general concept in mind regarding María’s emotional discomfort during the dreamlike moments, but it wasn’t strictly predetermined.

Director’s Quote

“We always take the music we choose and the sound we use very seriously. I think it’s a fundamental part of any film.”

Collaboration of Elements

Cinematography often sets the mood visually, while sound completes the emotional experience. How did the camera work and audio design collaborate to build the world of the film?

I think they collaborate more in post-production than during shooting. Once everything has been filmed and edited, the sound design starts to come alive and supports what we see in the frame.

Rhythm & Pacing

Music can completely transform how a moment feels. What role did the score play in shaping the rhythm and pacing of the film?

It’s important because, thanks to certain sound effects, you define the “temperature” of each sequence and of the story as a whole. There are moments that wouldn’t be understood without the existing sound design. In some sequences, a single layer of sound completely redefines the visual meaning.

Post-Production Discovery

Was there a particular scene where the combination of directing, cinematography, and sound design came together in a way that surprised you during post-production?

In the bathroom sequence, when Carlota leaves and María stays behind, there’s a match cut where we go from a sad María in the bathroom to a party with friends smoking. In that moment, the sound design, cinematography, and acting direction work perfectly together. One scene overlaps seamlessly with the next, largely thanks to how the sound from the following sequence gradually fades into the previous one. Combined with the use of a “whoosh” transition, it creates the feeling that María’s head is about to explode.

Creative Problem Solving

Independent productions often require creative solutions. Were there any moments during production where sound, music, or camera work helped solve a storytelling challenge?

In low-budget productions like ours, I’d say you have to play your cards as best as you can. You need to be constantly imaginative with the camera, the sound, and every other aspect of the shoot.

Featured Quote

“In some sequences, a single layer of sound completely redefines the visual meaning.”

Immersion

The film creates a strong sense of immersion for the viewer. What techniques did your team use to make the audience feel like they were truly inside the world of the story?

I don’t think it’s about specific techniques, but rather the style of the short film. It’s a story told in a realistic tone, which makes it very immersive, as we invite the audience to become part of it. It’s an everyday drama about friendship and work-related stress, so I think many people can relate to it.

Defining Moment

Looking back at the finished film, is there a moment where the sound, music, and visuals align perfectly to represent the heart of the project?

I think it’s the moment when Carlota and María look at each other after reading the cards, the music gradually comes in, and they start dancing with their friends. That moment perfectly represents the soul of the story.

Looking Ahead

Now that the film has been recognized with the Cinematic Sound Excellence Award, how does this recognition influence how you approach sound, music, and visual storytelling in future projects?

We always take the music we choose and the sound we use very seriously. I think it’s a fundamental part of any film. We’ll continue to give it the importance it deserves, and this award encourages us to keep refining every detail so that our projects can be as polished and complete as possible.

Recognition

Las Desqueridas was awarded Cinematic Sound Excellence at the Cinematic Luxe Indie Showcase Winterfest ’26, recognized for its strong integration of sound, music, and visual storytelling, and its ability to enhance emotional impact through carefully crafted audio design.