film/performance
GREEN CASTLES
A short film directed by Kelley Van Dilla and Anto(n) Astudillo
Green Castles follows Polo in their day-to-day life while they navigate medically transitioning, looking for work, and living alone in a lonely city. Though they find caring for plants easier than caring for themselves, an elder wise woman, Tia Silvia, constantly checks in on them and helps them on their journey. Every night Polo has the same dream: that they're slowly turning into a being made of plants.
Green Castles, the first collaboration between Anto(n) Astudillo and Kelley Van Dilla, represents a deepening of friendship through exploration of shared synchronicities in their lived experiences as trans and queer filmmakers. Anto(n) and Kelley also collaborate in building trans+ community, and healing care-centered filmmaking environments.
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GREEN CASTLES is a short narrative film about transitioning, caring for ourselves, each other and the world around us." The project is co-created by Anto(n) Astudillo and Kelley Van Dilla and it is currently on the post-production stage. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING!
GREEN CASTLES
We are really excited to announce that GREEN CASTLES' World Premiere is this May 5th, 2024 at TILDE Melbourne Trans & Gender Diverse Film Festival.
We are so happy that this year's FESTIVAL THEME: Trans collectivism - dismantling the culture of “being the only trans and gender expansive person in the room” aligns with our ethos when coming together to make this project.
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behind the scenes
working with a Trans+ and Queer crew!
Based on the lived experiences of co-writers and co-directors Anto(n) Astudillo and Kelley Van Dilla, “Green Castles” highlights the issues facing trans immigrant communities, such as income inequality, access to public health (gender-affirming care). It also presents a look at the individualized experience of the pandemic, in a world in which everyone and everything is interconnected, like plants and humans. The film also celebrates its characters, telling an uplifting story of self-realization and growth.
“Green Castles” is the first collaboration between Anto(n) and Kelley as they build a new community of trans, non-binary and queer filmmakers practicing a cinematic modality that centers interpersonal and inter-community care, health, and healing.
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For our production and post-production team, we are prioritized working with Trans+, Queer and BIPOC artists! Above all, this film is a testament to collaboration between trans and queer artists in an open and safe space, and the relevance of its making also reflects the possibility of independent film-making within our communities.
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OUR TEAM!
GREEN CASTLES CREW + CAST
Crew:
Directors-Writers: Kelley Van Dilla and Anto Astudillo
Camera-DP: Ned Gaynor, Ashika Kuruvilla
Sound and AC: Ashika Kuruvilla, Iman "King" Carter
Sound, lighting & grip: Vander
Costume sculptor & Special effects artist: Annie Temmink
Make-up Artist: Julia Morgan Fox
PA & Boom Op: Iman "King" Carter
PA & BTS: Ari Smith
PA & Kraft Services: Kendall Burger
PA: Mateo Del Campo
Set Producer: Claudia Carrasco
Pre-production coordinator and storyboard: Lupe Campos
Editor: Chelsi Bullard
Colorist: Esme Smith
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Cast:
Anto Astudillo
Kelley Van Dilla
Mecha
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GREEN CASTLES GO FUND ME campaign video