A new short film
The Story
After serving ten years in prison, Ramiro "Ram" Rosales returns home to Bakersfield to face the recent devastating loss of his mother to a fentanyl overdose. Fueled by grief and a thirst for answers, Ram partners with his niece, Addie, a teenage prodigy who is often underestimated by those around her.
As the duo delves into the shadows of their community, Ram’s streetwise strategic mind and Addie’s lowkey intuitive genius prove to be an unstoppable force against the predators hiding in plain sight.
The Vibe
“Holmes” is a short film that weaves together a Sherlock/Veronica Mars-style investigative plot and infuses it with moody country noir energy. Set against the backdrop of Bakersfield, California, it brings a new focus to the Mexican-American experience in the Central Valley, aiming to break away from limiting single-story stereotypes and deliver an authentic, layered narrative.
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The Cast
Julio Macias
Ramiro “Ram” Rosales
Julio Macias is a multi-talented actor and producer and starred in the critically-acclaimed, Award-winning Netflix original series "On My Block." He also co-starred in the Netflix original production, “Selena: The Series”, playing the role of Pete Astudillo who co-wrote several of Selena’s biggest hits. Julio was a recurring character on ABC’s “The Rookie”. He also starred in the film “Atypical Pirate,” and the upcoming “Three Years Gone” and “Gringo Hunters.” As a producer, Julio has worked on several music videos for artists with labels like Sony Music Latin and Universal Music, along with short films, sketches, and a full-length feature.
Julio is bilingual and an animal lover with his own rescue dog. As he continues his mission to create meaningful projects and take on challenging and unique roles, Julio also supports various local and national charities and is involved in many Hispanic philanthropic initiatives.
Izabella Alvarez
Last year, Izabella wrapped Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s HBO Max comedy pilot “Wild Life”. She can also be seen in the CW series “The Republic of Sarah” which premiered last June. She most recently recurred on the second season of HBO’s hit series “Euphoria” and appears in the hit HBO series “Westworld” opposite Ed Harris and Clifton Collins Jr. who plays her father. Additionally, she can be seen as a recurring character on the ABC comedy series entitled “Splitting Up Together” opposite Jenna Fischer and Oliver Hudson. In 2018, Izabella made her feature debut in the indie film “Collisions” opposite Ana de la Reguera and Jesse Garcia.
Addie
Sierra Santana
Sierra Santana is a Xicana actor, producer, and storyteller whose work spans film and live performance. She’s appeared in viral Buzzfeed videos, modeled for brands like Savage X Fenty and Target, and co-founded Las Tóxicas LIVE, an all-Latina comedy show at UCB LA. Her producing credits include “Coast,” “Images, Sounds, and Feelings,” and the Hollywood Climate Summit, where she worked with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to bridge entertainment and climate storytelling.
Jenni
Ben Coleman
Ben Coleman is a Los Angeles-based actor and filmmaker who grew up in New York and studied at the William Esper Studio. He starred in the feature films “The End of Us” (SXSW 2021) and “Peak Season” (SXSW 2023). Earlier in his career, he produced, directed, and starred in hundreds of digital shorts for BuzzFeed Motion Pictures, with his videos reaching nearly a billion views. He is currently starring in and developing the web series “Pretzel.”
Tim
About the Filmmakers
Erik Martinez
Erik Martinez was born and raised at the Sunset Labor Camp, a farmworker community in Bakersfield, California. Erik earned his BA in Film Studies from UC Santa Barbara and an MFA in Screenwriting from Chapman University. He co-wrote the 2022 film “White Elephant,” directed by Jesse V. Johnson and starring Michael Rooker and Bruce Willis. His earlier projects include “Beyond the Mat,” the opening night film of the 2013 Vietnamese International Film Festival and an official selection of Tribeca All Access; “Hush,” directed by Van Pham; and “The Panama Unit,” optioned by Coronet Films. When he’s not writing, Erik is teaching screenwriting at the university level.
Creator / Co-Writer / Executive Producer
Kahlil Maskati
Kahlil "K-Swish" Maskati is a half-Indian, half-Puerto Rican writer and director who hails from New Jersey with a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He was most recently a writer on the CBS hit "So Help Me Todd." Previously, he wrote a pilot called "Revenge Tour," which was optioned by AMC Studios and went onto earn Special Jury Recognition at SXSW and an invitation to the Sundance Episodic Lab. Kahlil’s first feature film, “Do I Shock U Like Lightning,” is available on Apple TV and Amazon.
Director / Co-Writer
Sarah Whitaker
Sarah Whitaker is the producer of short film “Holmes,” her follow up after award-winning thriller “Cameron” and feature film “Do I Shock U like Lightning,” web series “Open to It,” and drama “Cocaine Sisters” on UrbanFlix. She grew up as a military brat living in eight states and moving to California after college to pursue a career in entertainment. Sarah also co-owns ParkerWhitaker Productions with her sister, a live-event production company they founded in 2014.