FILMS
Doña Justa – The Forests Are for All of Us (2026) *In Post-Production
2026, 4k Digital Short, 15 ’16”
Direction and Cinematography: José Chalit Hernandez | Edit: Studio Equiterra | Producers: Trees, Water & People
Over the last 30 years, a quarter of Honduras’ rainforest has been lost to deforestation, leading to exceptional challenges and risks for environmentalists to do their work.
Near the capital city of Tegucigalpa, a humble Honduran mother struggling with asthma was told by her doctor that she needed an improved stove. Through personal testimony and archival memories, this film highlights Doña Justa’s grassroots efforts and determination to protect the environment and help women’s health by redesigning the traditional cookstove.
Homelands (2022)
2022, 4k Digital Short, 21’06”
Direction, Cinematography, Edit: José Chalit Hernandez | Assistant Director, Sound: Evan Barrientos | Colorist: Treston Chee | Assistant Producers: Arlo Ironcloud, James Calabaza | Trailer: Zack Bleiberg
A story of Indigenous resilience and land stewardship on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Screenings
The Lyric Community Screening, Fort Collins, CO, November 2022
Official Latino Film and Arts Festival, Palm Springs, California, December 2022
Indie Short Fest, Los Angeles, California (Online), December 2022
Red Cloud Renewable Community Screening, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, February 2023
Horsetooth International Film Festival, Fort Collins, Colorado, September 2023
RAICES Brewing Community Screening, Denver, Colorado, November 2023
Steve & Robert (2017)
2017 – 4k Digital Short, 07’20”
Direction, Edit, Cinematography: José Chalit Hernandez | Co-Directed: Jackie Sin | Assistant Producers: Natasha Rohrsetzer, Cade Taylor | Music: Casey A. Fisher | Project Advisor: Georg Koszulinski
A priest and a student activist deconstruct paradigms of masculinity.
Screenings
Mile Hi Mocs & Docs Festival, Denver, CO, December 2017
International Activism Film Festival, Yellville, Arkansas, July 2018
Growing Earth (2017)
2017 – 4k Digital Short, 06’27”
Direction, Edit: Will Green | Cinematography: José Chalit Hernandez
Poetic short film examining our relationship to environment through modern philosophy and Indigenous perspectives.
Screenings
Local Sightings Film Festival, Seattle, WA, September 2017
La Fuerza Interna (2016)
2016, 4k Digital Short, 11’07”
Direction, Cinematography, Edit: José Chalit Hernandez | Assistant Editors: Danielle Calubaquib, David Snitzer
Migrant farmworker union, Familias Unidas por la Justicia, join forces with community activists and students to win a union contract with their employer.
Screenings
Seattle University Film Festival, First Place, Seattle, WA, April 2016
Seattle Independent Transmedia Festival, Seattle, WA, July 2016
Official Latino Short Film Festival, New York, NY, September 2016
National Film Festival for Talented Youth, Seattle, WA, April 2017
Press: TakePart.com
The Surgeon General (2015)
2015 – 4k Digital Short, 02’59”
Direction, Edit, Cinematography: José Chalit Hernandez & Daniel Schiff
Short PSA exploring the sequelae and impacts of technology.
Screenings
Seattle University Film Festival, First Place, Seattle, WA, April 2015
Seattle Independent Transmedia Festival, Seattle, WA, July 2015
Seattle College and University Film Festival, Seattle, WA, May 2016