“EL ÙLTIMO TRAMO” is an upcoming short film that will be released in 2025.
16 MIN / USA & ARGENTINA / SPANISH / DRAMA
Our goal is to replace the negative stigma of addiction with compassion and understanding for those dealing with addiction.
DOWNLOAD OUR PRESS KIT HERE
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS:
Best Latine Story - Portland Film Festival (2024)
Official Selection - Houston Latino Film Festival (2025)
Official Selection - San Jose International Short Film Festival (2024)
This film project tells the bittersweet, but hopeful story of addiction and rehabilitation. While the film takes place in Argentina, addiction is something that is universal and with it comes an unfortunate universal stigma as well.
The goal of this project is to replace negative stigma with compassion and understanding for those dealing with addiction.
Through the film we will illustrate the realities of struggling and attempting to get clean and create conversation surrounding addiction and rehabilitation
Creating the short film is just the first step in completing our mission statement.
MISSION STATEMENT:
“The 4 Pillars of Rehabilitation:
Love, Understanding, Dialogue and Dedication.”
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a recovered addict seeking to repair his personal and family life, returns to the rehabilitation center that saved his future. When a fellow patient runs away, he follows after him to bring the patient back to get the help he needs before it is too late.
THE SHORT FILM:
On the outskirts of Buenos Aires, you’ll find Vencer Para Vivir, a remarkable rehabilitation center that you wouldn’t easily stumble upon without effort. I first learned about it in 2022 when my cousin, Lucas Fernández, invited me to visit while I was in Argentina. He had spent two years there recovering from drug addiction—an arduous journey, but one he overcame. Today, he lives a clean and renewed life.
THE REAL LIFE INSPIRATION:
What I found at Vencer Para Vivir defied my expectations. It wasn’t a hospital-like facility, nor did it follow a traditional 12-step program. Instead, the center operates on four core pillars: love, understanding, dialogue, and dedication. Residents take on various roles and responsibilities, reshaping their habits as they prepare to reintegrate into society.
For Lucas, this place wasn’t just a rehabilitation center—it was home. The people there were his family. During my visit, we decided to embark on a project together: a short film inspired by his experiences. Several months later, I developed a fictional story based on real stories from the center.
Shot on location in Argentina, the 17-minute film seeks to humanize those struggling with addiction and shed light on the realities of getting clean. Featuring both actors and real-life residents of Vencer Para Vivir, the film tells a fictional yet deeply authentic story of resilience, community, and hope.
— Filmmaker Dominick Cura
Lucas Fernandez, the co-writer of the film.
THE TEAM
Having grown up in California, Lucas struggled with drug addiction, a battle that eventually led him back to his birthplace, Buenos Aires, Argentina. After years of hardship, he found his way to Vencer Para Vivir, the rehabilitation center at the heart of this film. There, he spent two years confronting his addiction, rebuilding his life, and ultimately achieving sobriety. Today, the center remains a deeply significant place for him—one he frequently visits with his children. “My home,” he calls it.
Co-Writer / Actor
LUCAS FERNANDEZ
With no formal background in film or acting, this marks Lucas’s first on-screen role. He portrays Martín, the film’s protagonist, in a deliberate choice to blur the line between fiction and reality. Drawing from his own experiences as a recovered addict, Lucas brings an authenticity to the role that could not be achieved otherwise.
DOMINICK CURA
Jeremiah Schuler was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in Argentina and Washington State. He is a self-taught storyteller and Co-owner of L61 Productions. As an artist, he is determined to create windows that allow the audience to peer into the lives of others, and to create doors into the experience of minority and Latin voices. Jeremiah's work as a DP revolves around creating stories for the underrepresented that make an impact and capture the magic of good storytelling.
Director of Photography
JEREMIAH SCHULER
Christian Hostetler is a proud queer filmmaker, working full time as an assistant video editor and script supervisor. Their work spans multiple genres of film from commercial to independent narrative, with a focus on non-profit and activist causes. With a wide breadth of human experience to draw from, Christian works and aspires to create more narrative content that can unite and captivate audiences for the future that lies ahead.
CHRISTIAN HOSTETLER
Assistant Editor
Dominick Cura is a queer filmmaker with Latine and Italian roots, passionate about telling diverse stories that explore identity, culture, and human connection. Often caught between worlds, his work bridges perspectives, capturing how culture shapes relationships and personal growth.
A graduate of Ithaca College’s film program, Dominick began his career in Seattle and has since worked as a production assistant for National Geographic, Netflix, and others, while pursuing his own projects.
Director / Co-Writer
As a director, he has helmed two short films: Color of the Sky, a bittersweet story about finding joy in life’s small moments, and El Último Tramo, created with his cousin Lucas Fernández in Argentina. Knowledgeable in Spanish, Italian, and Arabic, Dominick’s work reflects his passion for exploring cultural intersections and telling authentic, emotionally driven stories.
He has been able to build a portfolio around discussing social justice issues, equity, and equality for a wide range of people through his work with clients such as The PGA Tour, National Geographic, NBC, and many large non-profits. Jeremiah hopes to help bring El Ultimo Tramo to life and is extremely excited to make this story a reality.
JOHNNY SCHULER
Editor / Sound Recordist
Johnny Schuler is an Argentine American video editor and filmmaker. Working both with larger productions like National Geographic and smaller non-profit organizations, their work aims to connect the audience with underrepresented communities and help them tell their stories. With a portfolio that includes a variety of film, commercial, and non-profit projects, Johnny has a talent for finding and shaping compelling narratives, building character arcs, and pushing each element of production to its fullest potential.
CONTINUING OUR MISSION:
Creating our short film is only the first step in continuing our mission statement. After the release of the short film we have several objectives to further create conversation and humanize addiction.
• Promote the film and its message through a wide online release and film festival screenings.
• Continue social media campaign, promoting our message
• Alongside screenings, hold panels with recovered addicts to share their stories and spark dialogue.
HOW TO HELP:
• FOLLOW us on INSTAGRAM at @elultimotramo_film and FACEBOOK
We are currently screening at select film festivals throughout 2025. Keep an eye on our Instagram for upcoming screenings!
Once we finish our festival run, the film will be publicly available online.