Albert Beniada

 As a filmmaker drawn to Miami's vibrant tapestry of cultures and identities, I'm crafting a contemporary narrative that pays homage to Agnès Varda's "Cleo from 5 to 7" while charting its own distinct path. Like Varda's seminal work, my film unfolds in near real-time, following our protagonist through the sun-drenched streets of Miami as she grapples with questions of identity, authenticity, and belonging.

In reimagining this structure for today's world, I'm exploring how a trans woman's journey toward self-acceptance echoes and diverges from Cleo's existential afternoon in Paris. Where Cleo confronts mortality, our protagonist faces the complex terrain of family relationships and societal expectations. The real-time structure creates an intimate window into her world, allowing audiences to experience both the weight of each moment and the subtle transformations that occur throughout her day.

Miami itself becomes a character in this narrative, its diverse neighborhoods and communities reflecting the multilayered nature of identity. From activist meetings to art spaces, from fortune-telling sessions to confrontations with family, each location pulses with the city's unique energy while serving as a backdrop for our protagonist's personal revolution.

This is not just a story about transition or family reconciliation – it's a meditation on the universal human desire to live authentically in a world that often demands conformity. By weaving together elements of magical realism, social commentary, and intimate personal drama, I aim to create a film that honors both Varda's innovative spirit and the complex realities of a contemporary queer experience in Miami. Through this work, I hope to contribute to the evolving conversation about identity, authenticity, and the courage it takes to fully embrace one's truth in the face of external pressures.