“BREATHE”, a short film directed by a Peruvian filmmaker, narrates the poignant journey of an immigrant artist

Gustavo Martin Benites Gálvez is a Peruvian-American writer, director, and producer. He is based in Chicago and has been working in the film industry for over a decade. Gustavo's last project was the feature film “American Warrior” (2024), starring Danny Trejo and Veronica Falcón. It screened at numerous international film festivals and was later acquired by Quiver Distribution. 

With his current project “Breathe”, Gustavo seeks to bring more Latine representation to the screen. It is a story set in Chicago, about a Peruvian immigrant learning to navigate life as an artist without money or resources. 

“The story is based on my own experiences living and working in Chicago, feeling the pressure of choosing between financial stability and working towards my dreams.” Comments Mr. Benites Galvez. “This is the story of our community as immigrant art makers, and how the struggle to survive sometimes asks us to give up our dreams in the process. It takes a lot of resilience to push on despite our limitations.” 

The script for Breathe was honored as a Top 8 finalist in Scriptapalooza and a quarter Finalist at Final Draft’s Big Break.

Joining Gustavo on the Project are producers Maja Memiševic and Tasmin Hindeyeh - both also immigrants, and accomplished filmmakers in their own right. The team seeks to engage with patrons for support in order to bring this story to the screen. 

“Breathe” has the backing of Film Independent through their Fiscal Sponsorship program, which allows for tax-deductible contributions. Film Independent is a nonprofit organization with the mission to cultivate the careers of independent filmmakers, build larger audiences for independent film, and champion diversity in the entertainment industry. 

To support the culmination of “BREATHE” or to gain further insights into Benites Galvez’s

professional endeavors, please visit the following links: BREATHE - FILM INDEPENDENT | IMDB | VIMEO |INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | AMERICAN WARRIOR - DEADLINE