Greetings Relatives,

My name is Yolihuani Tekolokuautl, I'm an indigenous filmmaker and recent graduate from NYU’s undergraduate film and television program. My parting project from this school is a short thesis film shooting late June in Tovaangar, the city of Los Angeles, carrying themes of grief, prayer, rebirth, friendship, and transcendence.

Prenda del Alma is an experimental and narrative film in honor of my friend who made his transition into the spirit world this last year. Those of you that know me, know that six months ago I lost a dear friend of mine. Our community has taken a huge loss with the passing of our friend, brother, and relative, Victor Rosado, aka. ”SYBER” in his own art. He was a very special person.

This film aims to encapsulate my friendship with Victor, through our shared upbringing, into young adulthood, and even now that his spirit is making its journey. Our friendship hasn't disappeared, it still exists vividly for me and our friends who miss him.

I want this film to act as a collection of memories from the past, future, and alternate realities to explore the ways in which our friendship could have existed in other circumstances, universes, and worlds. I intend to interweave threads of experimental and narrative storytelling with archival materials, combining the imaginary with our lived memories - both recreated (narrative) and preserved (archival) to evoke the essence of our friendship.

With the Rosado family’s blessing, I want to dedicate this project to his memory and connect to him once more through this craft we bonded over so deeply. From L.A. hood classics to the most pretentious Arthouse films, he had a deep passion for cinema. The only thing I can think to do is make one for him, using this medium as a vehicle for a communal experience of healing and remembrance of our friend. Having a cast and crew of people who knew him makes this project a collective endeavor to honor his life. I aspire to use this opportunity to nurture and release my own guilt and regrets, and would appreciate any and all kinds of support with this project.

Con amor,

Yolihuani Nelhualizlti Tekolokuautli