The Best Latin Music Short Films of 2024 So Far

Days before releasing her “Vol. 60” music session in May, Bizarrap announced an unexpected format that would be with Lismar: a seven-minute short film that takes place in an enigmatic music laboratory powered by artificial intelligence (AI), in which the Dominican rapper appears.

Co-directed by Biza and Oscar winner Armando Bo, the film challenges traditional conceptions of the future of music creation, tackling the issue of human creativity versus technological innovation as an executive suggests to the Argentine producer the possibility of replacing real musicians with virtual megastars in their collaborations. “Who made the beat?” the producer asks, before hearing the executive’s ominous response: “What does the beat matter? We don’t need real musicians anymore!”

The short film explores the authenticity of music and whether AI could truly supplant the human spirit, exploring the depths and complexities of musical innovation.

Bain-mariedirected by Brian Kazez and bearing the same title as the most recent album by CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso — captures the friendship and irreverent style of both Argentine artists in the best style of the buddy film. Over the course of 10 minutes, the film immerses the viewer in the artists’ chaotic world with a distinctive visual style that includes funky haircuts, bold tattoos, luxurious leather jackets and plenty of partying. With a plot unfolding over the course of 24 hours, the short film articulates a whirlwind of mind-blowing experiences, intensified by a soundtrack that resonates with the duo’s album tracks. This visual and sonic journey reflects their creative freedom and leaves an impression as distinctive as their indomitable spirit.

All Roads Lead to the Agua Caliente Racetracka 20-minute short film directed by Gallo Fortuna, explores Tijuana’s multifaceted past, transforming the city into a neon oasis during the Prohibition era. The film intertwines American extravagance with local opportunism, reviving the stories of mythical and enigmatic figures such as El Fantasma Apóstodor, La Faraona, and journalist Héctor “El Gato” Félix Miranda, emblems of the city’s glory and dark secrets.

With an atmospheric soundtrack featuring songs from the album The Liturgy of the White Tiger Directed by Espectro Caudillo and narrated by David Martínez, the film captures the mysterious allure of the Hipódromo Agua Caliente, a casino, spa and racetrack complex that had its moment of glory a century ago. The short film combines myth and historical reality, examining themes of opulence, decadence and contemporary challenges such as drug violence and social inequality.

Without giving away its final twist, the film invites viewers to delve into the unsolved mysteries and enduring fascination of the border town.

Nathy Peluso’s short film, directed by Agustín Puente, reinvents the traditional music video format by incorporating 13 tracks from her album FatThis nearly 30-minute film transforms a simplistic setting into a dynamic theatrical spectacle, where each song brings its own atmosphere thanks to ingenious changes in scenery and lighting.

Throughout the visual, Peluso undergoes several transformations — from embodying a seductive diva to becoming a determined, gun-toting rapper — equipped with a series of bold accessories and costumes like a gun and Penny Lane-style fur coats. And the Argentine artist not only seems to transform in appearance, but also emotionally and spiritually. This work highlights her versatility as a performer, while offering an evocative window into her artistic evolution.

Part iPhone commercial, part short film, Luck! follows Ivan Cornejo on a surreal journey through Mexico City to rekindle his musical inspiration. Directed by Cliqua, this work captures the Mexican-American artist exploring streets and markets with his guitar, reconnecting with his roots while immersing himself in a magical atmosphere reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland either Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. As characters from a lottery game come to life, they intertwine their existence with Cornejo’s lucid dreams, leading him on a series of unforgettable adventures. There’s also a climactic moment featuring María Zardoya of The Marías. The video includes Cornejo’s single “Intercambio injusto,” and of course is entirely filmed on an iPhone 15 Pro.

SoundCloud has often been a launching pad for emerging subgenres that later dominate the charts, as seen in phenomena such as so-called “SoundCloud rap,” plug music, and SoCal soul. Scenes: Mexican Music — an episode of the series Scenes of the platform — bears witness to this pattern by exploring the rise of corridos tumbados and sierreño, from their underground origins to their dominance on the charts. BillboardDirected by Elías López-Julián Burgueño and with creative direction by Matias Contreras, the 11-minute documentary captures the streaming service’s influence on these emerging genres, illustrating the cultural revolution driven by young Mexican-American talents.

The documentary highlights Ivan Cornejo, who fuses emo lyrics with sierreño; DannyLux, who offers a romantic perspective adapted to the music of Generation Z; Conexión Divina, who expands the diversity of the genre with a feminine and queer voice; and Xavi, who has invented his own subgenre called tumbados románticos.