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    Sanctuary Director Kayla Abuda Galang Wins Special Jury Award at SXSW 2023 For Her Short Film “When You Left Me On That Boulevard”

    By RACONTEURUpdated:No Comments2332 Views
    Scene from “When You Left Me On That Boulevard”
    LOS ANGELES -- (SPW) --

    Filmmaker Kayla Abuda Galang, the Filipino-born, U.S.-raised filmmaker known for dynamic, character-driven stories that explore themes of home, family, and belonging, received the SXSW 2023 Special Jury Award in the Texas Shorts category for her most recent film When You Left Me On That Boulevard. 

    The SXSW award (which was adjudicated by filmmakers Angie Reza Tures and Iliana Sosa and ​​the Festival Director of Hill Country Film Festival, Amy Miskovsky) comes on the heels of her win of the Grand Jury Prize for the Short Film Program at this year’s 2023 Sundance Film Festival with the same film.

    When You Left Me On That Boulevard, written and directed by Kayla Abuda Galang, centers on a day in the life of a young Fillipino-American teen in the year 2006. As her boisterous family prepares a Thanksgiving meal, she sneaks out and smokes with her cousins. Returning home to a house full of food, booming laughter and karaoke, the teen’s inward, awkward struggle to navigate a new crush and her overbearing aunties comes to a tragicomic head.

    Watch the teaser for When You Left Me On That Boulevard below and onYouTube here.

    “Kayla is one of those unique talents that is able to tell a story simply, sincerely and with such authenticity that you feel as if you’re in the story with her characters,” says Preston Lee, Sanctuary’s Founder and MD. “Every choice she makes in her film conveys that she’s not only an incredibly talented director but also an awesome person who cares deeply about how her story gets told. On top of all of that, she’s f@$king hysterical and we’re lucky to get to work with her!"

    Born in Olongapo City, Philippines and raised in San Diego and Houston, Kayla Abuda Galang’s work is informed by the beauty and idiosyncrasies of growing up a second-generation Filipino-American. Along with the awards for this latest film, her 2021 short Learning Tagalog With Kayla premiered at SXSW, received an Audience Award, and went on to screen at festivals such as Palm Springs, Indie Memphis, Encounters, and Reel Asian. Kayla Abuda Galang is currently working on two feature films.

    “I want to extend all my love and gratitude to the jury at SXSW for receiving this film so warmly, and to the programmers for featuring it with so many great Texas-rooted films in the new Texas Shorts category this year,” said the Texas-bred filmmaker. “Most of all, I want to thank my Austin and San Diego communities. Every film is a miracle and we truly made one together.”

    Kayla Abuda Galang is signed with Sanctuary for commercials and branded content, a production company Standout on AdAge’s 2023 A-List.

    When You Left Me On That Boulevard Additional Festival Selections

    The short film will be screening at:

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    Tags:Kayla Abuda GalangSanctuaryshort filmSXSWSundance



    “The Slightest Touch” Wins Best Documentary at Dublin International Film Festival Following HBO Acquisition

    Monday, March 2, 2026
    Scene from "The Slightest Touch."

    The Slightest Touch, directed by Rachel Fleit and edited by Sloane Klevin, ACE, has won Best Documentary at the Dublin International Film Festival, days after HBO Documentary Films acquired the television and streaming rights ahead of its world premiere.

    The feature documentary, which chronicles the friendship between Colin Farrell and Epidermolysis Bullosa survivor Emma Fogarty, was honored by the Dublin jury with the following statement (in part):

    “This next award is for an incredible film… One through which we as an audience came to know both protagonists in ways which would not have been possible, were it not for the unobtrusive talent of the director, who seamlessly documents a story as old as time itself… Rachel Fleit has captured the magic moments of this extraordinary friendship… What follows is an honest and at times searing portrayal of pain in all its forms and the power of humanity and humor to make lives better for all… The jury agreed that The Slightest Touch and director Rachel Fleit is the worthy winner of the documentary category of this year's Film Festival.”

    Edited by Union Editorial Partner Sloane Klevin, ACE, the film continues Fleit’s long creative partnership with the company. Union President and Managing Partner Michael Raimondi and Head of Production, TV and Film Katherine LeBlond served as Executive Producers.

    “What I cherish most about making The Slightest Touch is that it... Read More

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