American Sons World Premiere at SXSW Film and TV Festival 2025
The highly anticipated documentary American Sons, Produced by Laura Varela and Produced/Directed by Andrew James Gonzales, will make its World Premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival. This powerful documentary, part of the festival’s acclaimed lineup (SXSW Official Selection), offers a gripping and deeply personal look at the enduring impact of war on U.S. veterans. American Sons stands among an impressive slate of thought-provoking films that aim to challenge and inspire audiences.
Join us at SXSW 2025! There will be a Q&A after the screening with filmmakers and participants.
Screening Details: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2025/films/2207461
World Premiere:
March 8, 2025, 5:45 PM – 6:44 PM CT plus Q&A Session
Venue: AFS Cinema 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752
Additional Screening:
March 10, 2025
Time: 9:15 PM – 10:14 PM CT plus Q&A Session
Venue: SXSW Film & TV Theater @ The Hyatt Regency, 208 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
AMERICAN SONS
A brotherhood forged in war. The journey to heal together.
We are deeply honored that Cpl JV Villarreal's family and his fellow Marines have placed their trust in us to share their story. It is both a privilege and a significant responsibility.
American Sons follows a brotherhood of Marines a decade after their deployment to Afghanistan, as they struggle to overcome the trauma of combat and the loss of their best friend, Corporal JV Villarreal. Leaving more than his memory behind, JV’s narrated, first-person video diary of his life in Afghanistan serves as both a haunting window into these Marines’ past and a testament to the unbreakable bonds of those who sacrifice in war together.
Audiences will gain an intimate view of life on the front lines and the unbreakable bonds formed in war. The film serves as a poignant exploration of resilience, grief, and the urgent need for mental health support among veterans.
This project is our commitment to breaking the stigma of mental health and fostering healing through community support for Veterans. Through this story we mean to inspire meaningful conversations and amplify the voices of veterans being left behind.
The documentary arrives at a crucial time, as veteran mental health remains a national crisis. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, an average of 17 veterans die by suicide each day—an alarming rate 72% higher than the general population. American Sons seeks to amplify awareness, spark conversation, and advocate for better mental health resources for those who have served.
Filmmakers with a Legacy of Impact
Laura Varela is an award-winning producer known for her commitment to social justice narratives. Andrew James Gonzales, an emerging talent in documentary filmmaking, brings a fresh and deeply personal perspective to the film. Together, their work continues to push the boundaries of documentary storytelling, making American Sons a must-watch at this year’s festival.
Additional credits include Producer Elizabeth Avellan from Troublemaker Studios, Producer/Production Supervisor Fernando S. Cano II, Executive Producers Sandie Viquez Pedlow (Latino Public Broadcasting) and Leslie Fields-Cruz (Black Public Media). Award-winning UK composers Stew Jackson & Dan Brown provide the original soundtrack for this documentary.
Their work has been funded by the Jacquie Jones Memorial Award by Black Public Media and , Latino Public Broadcasting highlighting stories of underrepresented communities. As reported by Deadline, this support underscores the increasing demand for diverse storytelling in the film industry.
Additional funding is provided by California Humanities, Bexar County, and the City of San Antonio Arts and Culture.
American Sons is a co-production of Infinite Warrior LLC, Latino Public Broadcasting, and Black Public Media.
Note to Editors: For all Billings, publicity and print purposes, please refer to the film as:
American Sons
Produced by Laura Varela, Produced and Directed by Andrew James Gonzales
For a press kit and more info please contact us here.