Domestic Animals Receives an Honorable Mention at the Awareness Film Festival, Los Angeles
I'm thrilled to share that our film Domestic Animals, co-directed with the extraordinary Sandy Siquier, has received a Merit of Awareness (Honorable Mention) at the 2026 Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Founded by Heal One World, a non-profit charity, the Awareness Film Festival is now in its seventeenth year. Its mission is to open eyes to some of the world's most pressing issues: the environment, politics, health and well-being. The festival emphasizes the belief that a film has the power to do more than just entertain; it can inform, inspire reflection, and motivate people to take action. This year's edition runs October 13–18, 2026, across Santa Monica and greater Los Angeles, with proceeds going to charity.
Domestic Animals confronts domestic and family violence as both a social wound and a public health crisis. Through the intimate story of a couple trapped in a cycle of pain, the film explores the emotional complexity and nuance of domestic partner abuse. Inspired by real survivor testimonies, it is a bold, unflinching call to awareness and empathy.
This recognition means a great deal to us. It tells us the story reached its audience and did the work we hoped it would. We are deeply grateful to festival director Skye Kelly and the Awareness Film Festival team for seeing in this film a tool for dialogue and change.
Special thanks to Ignacio García-Bustelo for his exceptional performance, to the talented student crew from Syracuse University's Department of Film and Media Arts, to Javier Weyler for the music and sound design, and to Leo Zuloaga for grading its visual atmosphere. Every new recognition is a new conversation. To receive this one here means a great deal to us.
Domestic Animals continues its journey. More to come.
