Fernando Andrés
American filmmaker
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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]
Fernando Andrés | |
|---|---|
Fernando Andrés at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival | |
| Born | 1997 (age 28–29) Topeka, Kansas, U.S. |
| Occupations | Filmmaker, director, screenwriter, producer |
| Years active | 2019–present |
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
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)