Synopsis

Las Cosas Que Brillan follows Marisol, a young Trans Latina mermaid, as she navigates the complexities of identity, family, and environmental destruction in her coastal community. Set in a world where magical realism blends with historical fiction, Marisol must face the harsh realities of a world that threatens her existence while finding strength within herself and her community. This visually stunning short film tells a story of resilience, self-discovery, and hope, celebrating the beauty and power of those who fight for their place in the world.

About the Project

Las Cosas Que Brillan is a narrative short film that explores the intersections of identity, belonging, and environmental justice through the eyes of Marisol, a Trans Latina mermaid. Inspired by myth and folklore, the film blends magical realism with a vibrant visual style, evoking classic cinematic motifs inspired by Georges Méliès. At its core, this film is about the strength it takes to thrive in an environment that is both beautiful and destructive, capturing Marisol's journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Produced through the prestigious BlackStar Filmmaker Lab, this film showcases the resilience and richness of the Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities. We are so thankful to have additional community support from Maestro Filmworks and Big Picture Alliance. Las Cosas Que Brillan is a love letter to those who defy societal expectations and fight for the right to exist in a world that often tries to erase them. We're so excited to have support from established institutions and to have your support as we build this world. Our goal is to raise $15,000 to cover the final stages of production and post-production.

How Your Contribution Will Make an Impact

By supporting Las Cosas Que Brillan, you are directly uplifting underrepresented voices and stories in film. This project centers around the lived experiences of Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities and highlights environmental justice issues impacting marginalized communities. Your donation will not only help us finish the film but will also foster important conversations around identity, resilience, and the fight for justice.

Join us in making Las Cosas Que Brillan shine. Every contribution helps bring Marisol’s story—and the powerful message of this film—to audiences everywhere.

Your tax-deductible contributions will directly support key production elements such as set design, costumes, puppets, music composition, accessibility needs, poster and title animation, trailer editing, and more. Your support helps us craft a film that authentically represents the Trans Latinx community and brings this vital story to the screen.

Rewards

We’ve crafted some unique rewards to thank you for your support!

$15: Thank you email.
$25: Social media shout out, plus everything above.
$50: Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and production updates, plus everything above.
$100: Las Cosas Que Brillan poster digital download, plus all of the above.
$250: "Thank you" credit, plus all of the above.
$500: Invitation to a virtual rough-cut screening with the director and producer, plus all of the above.
$1,000: An invitation to the Philadelphia premiere and after party at BlackStar in August 2025, plus all of the above.
$5,000: An invitation to tour the set during filming, plus all of the above.
$25,000: "Executive Producer" credit, plus all of the above.

Meet the Key Crew

Kristal Sotomayor (they/she) - Director, Writer & Producer

An award-winning nonbinary Peruvian American director, producer, journalist and curator based in Philadelphia. Named one of “10 Latinx Filmmakers You Should Know About” by HipLatina, they have received distinctions such as the DOC NYC Documentary New Leader Honor and Rockwood Documentary Leadership Fellowship. Kristal’s short documentary Expanding Sanctuary won the Philadelphia Filmmaker Award at the BlackStar Film Festival and “Don’t Cry For Me All You Drag Queens” screened across the globe including at Newport Beach Film Festival, NewFest, GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival, and Sidewalk Film Festival. Kristal’s work has been supported by the BlackStar Filmmaker Lab, Outfest Creative Hope Fellowship, If/Then & CIFF North Shorts Residency, MDOCS Storytellers’ Institute Visiting Fellowship, DCTV Docu Work-In-Progress Lab, and NeXtDoc Fellowship.

Thank You!

We are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in this project. Together, we can make Las Cosas Que Brillan a film that illuminates the beauty, struggles, and resilience of those who fight to find their place in a world that often feels unwelcoming.

Note: By donating, you will be automatically added to the Sotomayor Productions newsletter. You may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time.

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This project is being made possible by BlackStar through its Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab, in partnership with Xfinity, Independence Public Media Foundation, and The William Penn Foundation.

Las Cosas Que Brillan Fundraiser

Help Us Raise $15,000 To Bring This Inspiring Trans Latinx Story To The Big Screen!

Team Members