PAIFF Sunday Morning Spotlights: March 29 Panel on Microdrama & Vertical Filmmaking, VIP Breakfast at Nauti Burro, Screenplay Presentation and a Bonus Feature Presentation of The Weekend Sailor

On Sunday, March 29th, the final day of the Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival, PAIFF invites festival VIP pass holders to a special Sunday morning gathering that brings together industry conversation, community, and inspiring cinema just hours before the festival’s Grand Finale Red Carpet Gala at Dreams Resort.

Beginning at 10:00am, PAIFF will present brief screenplay presentations, followed by a one-hour panel discussion on one of the fastest-rising trends in contemporary storytelling: microdrama and vertical filmmaking. As mobile-first storytelling continues to evolve, microdrama and vertical filmmaking are emerging as powerful new forms of screen narrative. Designed for the upright phone screen and often delivered in short, episodic bursts, these works are changing how filmmakers think about framing, pacing, performance, and audience engagement. This accessible discussion will give festival attendees the opportunity to learn more about the trend, hear directly from accomplished filmmakers, and better understand how this rapidly developing format may shape the future of filmmaking.

PANELISTS:

Dewey Paul Moffitt - Moderator, PAIFF Festival Director

Dan Hertzog - director/dp, In the Wee hours

Ganna Hertzog - producer, In the Wee hours

Barbara Todd Hager - Director, Canada. Leaving Beringia

Gary Fieldman - Director/Producer, Expenses, Piggy Duster

Bernardo Arsuaga Cardenas - Director/Producer The Weekend Sailor,The Michoacan File

Moderating the discussion will be Dewey Paul Moffitt, filmmaker, festival founder, creative producer, and the driving force behind PAIFF. Joining him is an esteemed group of panelists whose backgrounds span documentary filmmaking, cinematography, producing, independent shorts, branded content, international production, and long-form storytelling.

Among the featured panelists is Bernardo Arsuaga Cardenas, the Monterrey-based director and producer of The Weekend Sailor and The Michoacán File (PAIFF Season 2 Winner). A former attorney turned award-winning filmmaker, Bernardo has built an internationally recognized documentary career rooted in discipline, immersion, and global collaboration. His work has received honors from respected institutions and festivals around the world, and his films have screened internationally while engaging collaborators ranging from world champion sailors to cultural figures across multiple industries.

Also joining the discussion is Dan Hertzog, director/director of photography at In the Wee hours. A graduate of both the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the AFI Conservatory, Dan brings decades of experience across narrative filmmaking, advertising, cinematography, producing, and branded content. His work reflects a strong command of visual storytelling, natural dialogue, and cinematic craft across both independent and commercial spaces.

Producer Ganna Hertzog of In the Wee hours will bring a valuable perspective shaped by event planning, logistics, international business, and film production. Originally from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Ganna has built a reputation for precision, resourcefulness, and strong producing instincts, with credits spanning short films, proof-of-concept projects, and international productions. Her path into producing gives her a unique and highly practical voice in a conversation about evolving production models and new storytelling formats.

From Vancouver, Canada, PAIFF is also honored to welcome Barbara Todd Hager, Leaving Beringia, an accomplished producer, director, and writer whose extensive body of work includes documentary series, historical films, Indigenous arts and culture programming, and acclaimed broadcast productions. With credits including The New Canoe, Down2Earth, Truth Dance & Reconciliation, and 1491: The Untold History of the Americas Before Columbus, Barbara brings a richly informed perspective on nonfiction storytelling, cultural history, and the relationship between form, audience, and purpose.

The panel will also feature Gary Fieldman, an American filmmaker and producer known for inventive independent work including Expenses, Piggy Duster, and Emperor Static: The Electric Man. His short film Expenses earned the Best Visionary Director award at PAIFF 1, and his work continues to stand out for its imaginative spirit, strong visual identity, and commitment to bold, character-driven independent cinema.

To make the morning even more inviting, festivalgoers with VIP PAIFF access can enjoy a special Sunday breakfast deal at Nauti Burro for just $100 MXN, including coffee plus your choice of one of three breakfast options:1. Chilaquiles 2. Eggs, bacon, and toast 3. Fruit and pancakes

Following the panel, attendees are invited to stay for a special bonus feature screening of Bernardo Arsuaga’s The Weekend Sailor, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker.

This documentary recounts how Ramón Carlin, a self-taught Mexican sailor, entered the grueling Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race with a crew of family and friends and improbably outsailed far more experienced international teams. Blending adventure, family conflict, and an underdog true story, the film offers an inspiring ride for viewers drawn to remarkable feats of persistence and heart.

As the festival heads into its final stretch on Sunday, March 29th, this special morning program offers attendees a chance to gather, learn, and celebrate cinema together before the excitement of the evening’s Grand Finale Red Carpet Gala at Dreams Resort. With a timely industry panel, a warm community breakfast, a special feature presentation, and a filmmaker Q&A, it promises to be one of the most engaging and memorable gatherings of the festival weekend.

Sunday, March 29th at the Nauti Burro (VIP pass holders only)

VIP Breakfast starts at 9:30am ($100 MXN)

Screenplay presentations at 10:00am

Panel discussion begins at 10:30am

Expected panel length: one hour

Bonus screening of The Weekend Sailor (11:30am) and filmmaker Q&A to follow

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