Tijuana

Baja California is known for wine festivals, fresh seafood, and weekend gossip. However, there’s another story worth telling—our movies. We make them here, we win awards with them, and tonight, you can watch two of them for free.

The BC by BC program, backed by Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda through the Baja California Film Commission, is bringing local talent into the spotlight. The goal is simple: combine art, economy, and identity, then show the results on the big screen.

Free Screenings in Tijuana and Mexicali

Starting at 6 p.m., Cinépolis Plaza Río in Tijuana and Cinépolis Plaza San Pedro in Mexicali will feature two Baja-born productions: Soy lo que nunca fui (2023) and Entre las cuerdas (2024).

Both have made an impact far beyond Baja’s borders. Now, they return home for a night of free cinema.

Soy lo que nunca fui (2023) — Tijuana Up Close

This is not your typical “border story” full of clichés. Instead, director Rodrigo Álvarez Flores offers an intimate look at a fractured family navigating emotional boundaries that run deeper than any wall.

Because the film was shot mostly at Estudios Baja and on real Tijuana streets, it captures the city’s true character. Each main character has a distinct visual style: wide shots for the restless, close frames for the introspective, and calm tones for those hiding chaos.

The cast includes Ángeles Cruz, Andrés Delgado, César Kancino, plus graduates from UDCI. Over the past year, the film has collected an impressive list of awards. Among them are Best Mexican Feature at GIFF, Audience Award at Cine Las Américas, and Best Picture at “Hola México” in Los Angeles. It has also been honored in Calcuta and Ensenada.

Clearly, Álvarez proves that Baja doesn’t just have stories—it has stories worth sharing with the world.

Entre las cuerdas (2024) — Tijuana in the Ring

If Soy lo que nunca fui is a slow burn, Entre las cuerdas throws the first punch early. Directed by Fernando A. Fisher, who grew up in Tijuana, the film follows Martín, a boxer fighting battles inside and outside the ring.

Filmed entirely in Tijuana over 17 days, it features a cast made up almost entirely of local talent. Because of its authenticity, it has earned international recognition, winning Best Picture and Best Director in Sweden, Audience Choice in London, and another Best Picture in Los Angeles.

Fisher’s film doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle. Instead, it shows the fight in its raw form, told by people who know it well.

Why This Matters for Baja

For decades, Baja was a backdrop for Hollywood pretending to be somewhere else. Although local crews got work, the stories weren’t ours.

Now, with directors like Álvarez and Fisher, Baja is telling its own stories. These films prove that local talent is not only strong but growing. That is why events like Séptimo 2.0 are essential. They provide a stage, and our filmmakers fill it with stories that travel far beyond the state line.

Tonight’s the Night

If you are in Tijuana or Mexicali, this is your chance. Two films, two directors, dozens of local actors, and hundreds of hours of Baja talent—all for free.

Head to Cinépolis Plaza Río or Cinépolis Plaza San Pedro by 6 p.m., grab some popcorn, and watch Baja’s stories unfold. By the time the credits roll, you will see it too: Baja is not just making movies—it is making its mark.