Fernando Andrés

Fernando Andrés
Fernando Andrés at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival
Born1997 (age 27–28)
Occupation(s)Filmmaker, director, screenwriter, producer
Years active2019–present

Fernando Andrés (born 1997) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer based in Austin, Texas. He is best known for his independent feature films Three Headed Beast (2022) and Rent Free (2024), both of which premiered in the U.S. Narrative Competition at the Tribeca Film Festival. His films explore relationships, sexuality, and contemporary society through a stylized, often satirical queer lens.[1][2]

Early life

Andrés was born to Ecuadorian parents in Topeka, Kansas in 1997. His family moved to Texas, where he developed an early interest in film and storytelling. In 2016, he moved to Austin to study film at the University of Texas, before dropping out to pursue jobs on film sets, including as a production assistant on the film Thunder Road (2018).[3][4]

Career

Andrés started his career with short films, notably collaborating with childhood friend Tyler Rugh. Their short Igloo (2019) was a finalist for the Sundance Ignite Fellowship.[5]

Andrés made his feature debut with Three Headed Beast (2022), co-directed and co-written with Rugh. The film premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, receiving critical acclaim for its visual storytelling, minimal dialogue, and exploration of queer sexuality and open relationships.[2][6] Texas filmmaker David Lowery praised the film as being "bold, refreshing and exciting".[7]

His second feature film, Rent Free (2024), is a comedic exploration of friendship, queer identity, and economic anxiety among Gen-Z young adults living in Austin. It premiered in competition at Tribeca, going on to play film festivals including Frameline, New Orleans Film Festival, and BFI Flare London, and was selected as the opening night film at Austin’s All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF).[8][9] In 2025, the film was acquired by Cinephobia Releasing for North American distribution.[10]

Filmography

Feature films

Year Title Director Writer Notes
2024 Rent Free Yes Yes World premiered at Tribeca Film Festival[9]
2022 Three Headed Beast Yes Yes World premiered at Tribeca Film Festival[3]

Short films

Year Title Director Writer Notes
2023 Knowing Me, Knowing You Yes Yes Frameline47, Austin Film Festival
2019 Me & My Friend Just Want Our Pizza Yes Yes Premiered on NoBudge
2019 Igloo Yes Yes Sundance Ignite Fellowship finalist[5]

Accolades

  • 2019 – Sundance Ignite Fellowship Finalist (Igloo)
  • 2022 – Tribeca Film Festival Grand Jury Prize Nominee (Three Headed Beast)
  • 2024 – Tribeca Film Festival Grand Jury Prize Nominee (Rent Free)

References

  1. ^ Graham Hubner (June 21, 2022). "Three Headed Beast Explores Polyamory With Natural Light and Minimal Dialogue". MovieMaker.
  2. ^ a b Ryan Lattanzio (June 16, 2022). "Three Headed Beast Review: Wordless Polyamory Drama Is an Impressive Triumph of Craft". IndieWire.
  3. ^ a b Richard Whittaker (June 9, 2022). "Austin Filmmakers Take Their Three Headed Beast to Tribeca". The Austin Chronicle.
  4. ^ "Filmmaker Fernando Andrés Tackles Working with a Small Crew + Shooting with Natural Light on Three Headed Beast". ProductionHUB.com. September 16, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Three Headed Beast". Tribeca Film Festival. 2022.
  6. ^ "Tribeca's Three Headed Beast Shot with Pocket Cinema Camera 4K". Blackmagic Design. June 29, 2022.
  7. ^ Babb, Christina Hughes (June 21, 2022). "'The Green Knight' director David Lowery talks OCFF, favorite films and more". Oak Cliff. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  8. ^ Alex Papaioannou (June 25, 2024). "Interview with Director Fernando Andrés and Actor/Producer Jacob Roberts of Rent Free". InSession Film.
  9. ^ a b Cy White (August 21, 2024). "aGLIFF President Todd Hogan and Spotlighting Filmmaker Fernando Andrés Reflect on Identity". The Austin Chronicle.
  10. ^ Kay2025-04-06T23:07:00+01:00, Jeremy. "Visit Films strikes North American deal for BFI Flare London selection 'Rent Free' (exclusive)". Screen. Retrieved May 3, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)