Santiago Paladines' THE FARE Selected for the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival

Director and writer Santiago Palandines's affecting drama, The Fare, has been selected to screen at the Academy Award qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival in August. Starring Johnny Ortiz (American Crime) and newcomer Noemi Pedraza, the film tackles the subject of human trafficking, and is based on a true story.

A young Ecuadorian kid, driving for a human trafficking gang, confronts his past when he's asked to transport a 14 year-old girl from his hometown to a sex trafficking organization.

Award-winning Ecuadorian writer and director Santiago Palandines, graduated from the American Film Institute and is the recipient of the First Prize at the Hispanic Heritage Short Film Awards in Washington DC. His work includes the documentary Estrella 14, and successful Ecuadorian series Parece Que Fue Ayer. His film, The Fare, was chose to screen at the AFI 2017 showcase at the DGA and recently won an Honorable Mention at the Oscar qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival. Santiago has recently finished production on 12 episodes of an upcoming TV drama series in Ecuador.

In the lead role of Javier, accomplished actor Johnny Ortiz has made a name for himself after working opposite Kevin Costner in Disney's McFarland USA and for his work on the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated ABC series American Crime, directed by Oscar winner John Ridley. Most recently, Johnny has just finished shooting Bel Canto alongside Julianne More and the up coming feature Ice Box, produced by two time Academy Award winner James L Brooks.

The Fare also boasts a talented supporting cast including young actress Noemi Pedraza, handling the challenging role of Cristina, and Eduardo Roman. Known for his work in popular Mexican TV shows, Roman's other credits include 21 Days and Mucho Dinero, in which he starred alongside Danny Trejo and Eddie Griffin. He will soon star in the America Ferrera produced web series Gente-fied and was the lead in the Academy short listed film Contrapelo.

The Fare has been officially selected at more than 15 worldwide festivals including Cannes Short Film corner, Cleveland International film festival and LA ShortsFest, and has won 6 awards.

The Fare will be screening at HollyShorts Film Festival, running from Aug. 10th - 19th.