Local filmmaker Ryan Brandt's independent series "The Man From Jalisco" is preparing for its final film festival showcase before launching on major streaming platforms. The project, which began as a college film student's script and has since garnered awards at Los Angeles-based film festivals, will soon be available on Tubi and potentially Hulu for audiences worldwide.
Episode 10, the season one finale of "The Man From Jalisco," has been selected as an official entry for the Silicon Beach Film Festival 2025. The screening will take place at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood on September 7 at 12:15 p.m., as part of the festival running from September 4-11. This marks another milestone in the series' impressive festival run, which has included recognition at the Imperial Valley Film Festival in 2010 and 2017, the Yuma Film Festival in 2011, the Golden State Film Festival in 2024, and the Silicon Valley Film Festival in 2024.
Brandt, originally from Brawley but currently residing in Imperial, has been working diligently to upgrade the film and sound quality of his series to meet the stringent standards required by major streaming services. "Tubi as a film hub is very picky, so that's why I've been putting in a lot of work to get the episodes right," Brandt explained. "A lot of people have helped throughout the production." Since 2010, the series has been gaining recognition through various independent film festivals, and Brandt has been meticulously re-editing earlier episodes to improve their visual and audio quality for streaming distribution.
The journey of "The Man From Jalisco" spans over a decade and a half, beginning with Brandt's script writing during his UCLA film student days in 2004. What started as a short film concept evolved into a full ten-episode season. The series first began filming in 2009, with Episode 10 completing production in 2023. The project has been funded through a combination of Brandt's personal investment, local sponsorships, and revenue from airings on regional television channels, including its debut on Mexicali's Canal 66 in 2016 and subsequent broadcasts on KSWT 13.
The series tackles contemporary issues relevant to the Imperial Valley region, focusing on a ghost writer at a fictional local newspaper who uncovers secret information about a drug cartel's scheme to acquire California's water resources by corrupting farmers into fallowing their land. According to IMDB, the storyline addresses critical topics including water sales from the Valley to major metropolitan areas, immigration challenges, and the threats posed by drug cartels. "The series handles topics such as water sales out of the Valley to large cities, immigration issues, and the danger of drug cartels," Brandt noted.
To promote both the film and its environmental message about ocean water desalination as a solution to save Valley farms, RJLB Pictures is organizing a special event called "STOP THE TRANSFER." This promotional event will be held at The Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood on Saturday, September 6, starting at 6 p.m. The event will feature live music from actor and musician Mark Sellers and his band, Mark Sellers & The Wild Horse. Sellers plays the role of Captain Ronnie in the series and represents one of several local talents featured in the production.
The cast includes both local and regional actors who have remained committed to the project throughout its extended production timeline. The late Luis Medina played the main character Antonio Flores, while local actor Jesse Herrera Sr. portrays a water director in the fictional Imperial Valley setting. Gerardo Venegas, an actor and emcee from Mexicali, plays the cartel member Manuel and has praised the series' enduring relevance. "It's interesting that one of the themes in The Man From Jalisco is the importance of the water and how it might be depleted within a few years, which is becoming a reality," Venegas said. "In the series, the public is dedicated to saving the water from being sold, and even the cartel plays a part in selling it and taking it away from the farmers."
Brandt emphasizes the educational and moral aspects of his series, believing it can help audiences better understand complex regional issues. "I think they should see The Man From Jalisco for family values," he stated. "If people are confused about what's going on with all these border or water issues, they can learn from it. Yes, it's not made for kids, but I think people can still learn from it. At least there are good guys, bad guys. To me, it's a moral lesson, and we could all use a moral lesson sometimes."
Looking ahead, Brandt has ambitious plans for expanding the series' reach and potentially developing additional content. He intends to submit other episodes to festivals like the Golden State Film Festival and is actively seeking sponsors to facilitate broadcasts on television channels serving the San Diego and Los Angeles markets. "By winter, it will be on Tubi, hopefully we'll get it on Hulu, and then hopefully I and some of the actors can get together for a season two," Brandt revealed. "I'm going to try and pitch it in different places. We'll see how far it goes."
The Hard Rock Cafe promotional event is located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 105, in Los Angeles, while the Silicon Beach Film Festival screening will take place at the TCL Chinese Theatres at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Both events represent significant opportunities for the independently produced series to gain broader recognition and potentially attract the attention of industry professionals and streaming service executives.
