Brevard Filmmakers Take Center Stage at Jake Estrada’s Bocas Film Fest at GQT Theatre at Merritt Square Mall

Bold Storytelling Defines the First-Ever Bocas Film Fest in Merritt Island

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Bocas Film Fest, a new celebration of independent cinema, took place on November 8 at GQT Theatre at Merritt Square Mall. A.J. Plonsky, an Eastern Florida State College student and filmmaker, highlighted some of the festival’s films.

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BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – There has been a discovery in Florida, and sorry, Juan Ponce De Leon, it’s not the fountain of youth.

Bocas Film Fest was founded by Jake Estrada, a Filmmaker who wanted not only his own films to shine, but also those of others. Tired of gatekeeping by various film festivals, he wanted filmmakers to have an inclusive experience. Of course, what Filmmaker doesn’t wish for their own films to shine? At the end of the program, he showed a variety of his own films.

This 2025 festival received 76 submissions and accepted 20. Each film has its own level of quality. Many great films were screened at Bocas, and a few stand out as quality productions.

Dear Ethan is a Dystopian movie about a woman who falls in love with a robot. While some of the acting and dialogue fall flat, the writing, the production design, and even the strong premise more than make up for it.

“There was symbolism of love and cycles of how love endures even through difficulties. But also, there’s a bit of a moral: maybe sometimes we can shape the people that we love. For better or for worse,” director and writer Alexander Houdek explained in an exclusive interview.

The lead actress, Tionna Picinich, performed as Mia through a creative interpretation of the role and years of acting lessons.

“I think for myself I can relate to Mia just being a girl and… knowing what it’s like to want connection to people and just having genuine relationships,” Picinich shared, “I feel like I understood that.”

Dear Ethan stands out as a balance between light and dark. It was as mysterious as it was enlightening.

Another standout production was Mirror of Malevolence by Jared Ditman.

Mirror of Malevolence tells the story of a ‘dreary orphan boy’ and his triumphs through hardship and peril. The short film matched puppeteering with brilliant voice acting. Jared Ditman performed the voice acting, wrote the script, handled the puppetry, and directed this masterful short film.

Jared adapted this short film from his novel and audiobook, both titled the same. Overall, this was a high-quality production from the Eastern Florida State College filmmaker.

Another notable film is Ozymandias, a dramatic film with decent production design, but it failed to tell a story. The story took place underground and followed a security guard who recites poems. When he comes face-to-face with several gunmen, he sacrifices himself. While there is no doubt the short film was well done, the story itself was medium rare.

So many unanswered questions. Why is it underground? What is he guarding (or who)? The filmmakers’ passion was evident, and their execution of a confusing story was nothing short of a masterstroke.

One more film that stood out was Night Shift at Ned’s. The premise of a diner that served demons during the night shift was as brilliant as the direction. Although the premise appears to be dark, it was a comedy. With demons and monsters, the prosthetics were fantastic. The blood, the gums, and the Conehead-like teeth were outstanding.

The design could give one the chills. It blends Tim Burton’s gothic realism with Jim Henson’s visual extravaganza. The cast served as a gateway to success in and of itself. The acting of the supporting roles, particularly in a prominent cast, such as Erin Caitlyn Collins (Five O’Clock Somewhere) and Black Pearl (The Gift of Grace), stood out. Eddy Thomason, an up-and-coming actor who has yet to have his breakthrough, gave a stellar performance as Ned, a drunkard who owned the diner.

Overall, the film festival was a fun and creative gateway to success for several local filmmakers. The opportunity to showcase local work and talent is to bring about the future of filmmakers. With almost no opportunities in Brevard County, Jake Estrada’s Bocas Film Fest is a gift—a gift we receive with open arms.

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