Local Filmmaker's Work Featured at SFFILM International Film Festival

Chilean-born director Andrés Gallegos brings his latest short film 'The Darkest Night' to the prestigious festival.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:05am by Ben Kaplan

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An extreme close-up of cracked, weathered concrete in shades of dark grey and dusty brown, conceptually representing the gritty, marginalized world of the filmmaker's work.The textured, weathered surfaces of Gallegos's films reflect the hardscrabble lives of their protagonists.San Francisco Today

Andrés Gallegos, a Chilean-born filmmaker based in San Francisco's Sunset District, will have his latest short film 'The Darkest Night' featured at the 69th SFFILM International Film Festival. The 22-minute film is part two in a planned trilogy that began with Gallegos's 2018 short 'Shoe Shiner,' which explored the life of a young boy living on the margins of post-fascist Chile. 'The Darkest Night' picks up the story with the now 16-year-old protagonist, Diego, as he makes dangerous choices to help his father figure Sergio get the medical care he needs after a serious injury. Gallegos, who also served as the cinematographer on both films, approaches the material in a documentary-style with handheld camerawork.

Why it matters

Gallegos's work shines a light on marginalized communities in Chile, drawing from his own family's experiences. By continuing the story of Diego across multiple films, Gallegos aims to create a Linklater-esque trilogy that provides a nuanced, empathetic portrait of growing up in poverty. The SFFILM festival selection further cements Gallegos's reputation as an emerging voice in independent cinema, while the collaboration with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music highlights the city's robust film and music communities.

The details

Gallegos, 39, earned his MFA in cinema from San Francisco State University in 2014 after considering programs in New York and Los Angeles. He was drawn to the Bay Area's 'richness of the culture and the creative community.' Since then, he has balanced work as a cinematographer and writer/director, with his own original films like 'The Darkest Night' and the earlier 'Shoe Shiner.' 'The Darkest Night' was shot in nine days in Gallegos's hometown of Talca, Chile, with the same cast as 'Shoe Shiner.' The new film follows the 16-year-old Diego as he tries to help his father figure Sergio get medical care after a serious injury, leading him to make dangerous choices. Gallegos approached the material in a documentary style, using handheld camerawork for 98% of the shots.

  • Gallegos earned his MFA from San Francisco State University in 2014.
  • 'Shoe Shiner,' the first film in Gallegos's planned trilogy, was made eight years ago in 2018.
  • 'The Darkest Night' was filmed in nine days in Gallegos's hometown of Talca, Chile.
  • The 69th SFFILM International Film Festival will take place from April 24 to May 4, 2026.
  • 'The Darkest Night' will screen as part of the Sound & Cinema Showcase on April 27, 2026.

The players

Andrés Gallegos

A 39-year-old Chilean-born filmmaker based in San Francisco's Sunset District who earned his MFA in cinema from San Francisco State University in 2014. He has worked as a cinematographer and writer/director, with his own original films like 'The Darkest Night' and the earlier 'Shoe Shiner.'

Patricio Jara Maraboli

The actor who plays the 16-year-old protagonist Diego in 'The Darkest Night.'

Daniel Antivilo

The actor who plays the father figure Sergio in 'The Darkest Night.'

Constanza Hevia

Gallegos's wife, who is a filmmaker and photographer and served as a producer on 'The Darkest Night.'

SFFILM

The organization behind the San Francisco International Film Festival, which has supported Gallegos's work by awarding him a year-long FilmHouse residency and selecting 'The Darkest Night' for the festival's Sound and Cinema Showcase.

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What they’re saying

“I liked the program at State, but I fell in love with what was happening here. The richness of the culture and the creative community made me want to stay.”

— Andrés Gallegos, Filmmaker

“It's an ode to my grandfather and dad, who had to work. It's a very personal story. I am grateful that I got to go to school.”

— Andrés Gallegos, Filmmaker

“There's a little ambiguity. A filmmaker can get very moralistic of what is good and what is bad. Who am I to say what is good and what is bad? That's why I leave certain things open to interpretation. It's for the audience to decide.”

— Andrés Gallegos, Filmmaker

“She is the soul of the project. She is my creative partner in everything I do as a director. Her role spanned from scriptwriting assistance to overall production management.”

— Andrés Gallegos, Filmmaker

What’s next

Gallegos plans to submit 'The Darkest Night' to the 2027 Sundance Film Festival, with other festival entries to follow. He also hopes to raise funds to continue the story of Diego in a final installment that would convert the trilogy into a feature film.

The takeaway

Andrés Gallegos's work shines a light on marginalized communities in Chile, drawing from his own family's experiences. By continuing the story of Diego across multiple films, Gallegos aims to create a nuanced, empathetic portrait of growing up in poverty that resonates with audiences. The SFFILM festival selection further cements Gallegos's reputation as an emerging voice in independent cinema, while the collaboration with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music highlights the city's robust film and music communities.