433 Pictures proudly announces that The Long Valley, a 13-minute documentary co-directed and produced by Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck and Robert Machoian, has been officially selected for the prestigious 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film, which showcases the landscapes and people of the Salinas Valley, will have its world premiere during the festival’s celebrated Short Film Program.

Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, a local resident of Davis and faculty member at Sacramento State, brings a unique regional perspective to this visually compelling documentary. Shot using the Alexa Mini Pro and blending Spanish dialogue with English subtitles, The Long Valley offers a poignant meditation on human resilience, the passage of time, and the power of dreaming. Through a series of visually striking tableaus, it documents the daily lives of Central and South American immigrants who form the backbone of one of California’s most vital agricultural regions.

“The Salinas Valley, often referred to as “The Salad Bowl of the World,” is not only a major agricultural hub but also a vibrant community with stories that resonate far beyond its fields.” remarked Co-Director Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, who has deep roots in the Salinas Valley, “This project is a love letter to the resilience and dreams of the people who make this region so extraordinary.”

“We wanted to document the Salinas Valley and its people because we both have personal connections to the area,” said co-director Robert Machoian, who grew up in King City. Ojeda-Beck added, “This film continues our ongoing exploration of rural communities in the U.S. using a photobook aesthetic, bridging the space between still photography and film.”

Out of 11,153 submissions to the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, only 57 short films were selected. These include 4,909 submissions from the U.S. and 6,244 international entries, representing work from 28 countries and territories. The Long Valley is proud to be part of this esteemed selection.

About the Film – The Long Valley was completed in November 2024 and features a unique narrative structure that reappropriates the talking-head format to provoke questions rather than provide answers. The film encourages viewers to reflect on their own interpretations of time, reality, and the role of dreams.

World Premiere Details – The Long Valley will premiere as part of the Sundance Film Festival, held in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 23–February 2, 2025. The short will also be available for online viewing from January 30–February 2, allowing audiences nationwide to experience its stunning visuals and thought-provoking narrative.

Contact Information –  For press inquiries, interviews, or additional details, please contact: Chris Carpenter, 831.915.3421 ccarpenter@honestenginefilms.com

The Long Valley is a 433 Pictures production co-directed by Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck and Robert Machoian, with associate producers Chris Carpenter, Ana Sanchez, and Saul Cardenas. Edited and sound-designed by Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, with LiliArlen Gomez as Assistant Camera, the film is a testament to the beauty and resilience of the Salinas Valley’s agricultural communities.

If you have a story you’d like to see in ‘Off Camera‘ please send us an email to offcamera@emmysf