Writing for the Stage
ROCK-BOTTOM (2f, 1m)
After the sudden passing of their father, siblings Phoenix, Violet and Juniper venture to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to put him to rest. As they get deeper into the Canyon, they must grapple with the depth of their grief, their resentment, and the wounds they’ve inflicted on each other. A layered story about forgiveness, substance abuse, and generational trauma, Niní Bagundo’s new drama ROCK-BOTTOM is a love letter to our Native American youth and their resilience.
Full-draft available upon request.
UPHILL (1f, 1m)
In bear country, where noise is necessary for survival, estranged friends Penny and Brooks want nothing but to be in silence. As they journey further into their hike and tensions unravel, they must dissect their relationship, the lines they crossed and the things they left unsaid. An exploration of anxiety, miscommunication, and neurodivergence, Niní Bagundo’s heartfelt drama UPHILL explores blurred lines and their impact on our relationships.
Full-draft available upon request.
YOU, ME AND EVERYONE ELSE (1f, 1m, 1nb)
In school playgrounds, teen bedrooms and crowded multiplexes, Sofia and Santiago have experienced love. In dark rooms, empty parties and dating apps, they have experienced heartbreak. As they’re about to fall in love, Sofia and Santiago are transported to every moment they have felt love and heartbreak and explore how they gained the emotional baggage they carry with them. Niní Bagundo’s romantic comedy YOU, ME AND EVERYONE ELSE is an ode to all the people we have loved and how they shaped us, for better or for worse.
Full-draft available upon request.
Writing for the Screen
AGRIDULCE (1f, 2m)
In the crowded aisles of a small Mexican supermarket, Luna and her estranged father, Pablo, taste the bitter and the sweet after he suddenly shows up to visit her in college. As they pick out produce, discuss recipes and fill their shopping cart, Pablo attempts to connect with Luna, who quietly struggles with disordered eating. Niní Bagundo’s short drama AGRIDULCE depicts how food hurts us, heals us and holds the story of our lives.
Full-draft available upon request.
JULIÁN CON J (2m)
In the summer of 2008, two Mexican-American teenagers in New Jersey get ready for a day trip into nature. As they collect supplies for the trip, Julián gathers the courage to come out to his best friend, Sebastián, despite cultural and familial expectations. Niní Bagundo’s short drama film JULIÁN CON J is a heartfelt nod to platonic love, Mexican queerness and healthy male friendships.
Full-draft available upon request.
HIJA DE TU MADRE (3f)
On Mother’s Day, three generations of Mexican women come together for an emotionally charged supper. As they discuss a family member’s sudden pregnancy, Clara, Martina, and Alicia confront their past and examine their relationship to motherhood, generational trauma and each other. The evening comes to a halt when Clara reveals her unplanned pregnancy, and Martina and Alicia try to regroup to support her. A piece of hyperlink cinema taking place across three different decades, Niní Bagundo’s debut feature comedy-drama film interrogates what a woman’s right to choose means across time and generations.
This project was developed thanks to Northwestern University’s Summer Grant Award.