The Rise of Latin Music Short Films in 2024

The global appetite for Latin music continues to soar, leading artists to create influential short films that blend music and storytelling. Here are the standout Latin music videos of 2024, showcasing diverse narratives and artistic innovation.

The global fascination with Latin music is not only soaring but also diversifying, giving birth to a wave of rich cultural and visual narratives in the form of short films. In 2024, Latin artists from a myriad of Spanish subgenres have embraced audiovisual media to enrich their stories, songs, and overall artistic ethos.

This phenomenon is evident in productions ranging from Bizarrap’s artificial intelligence dilemma “BZRP.ia” to the unique storytelling in Nathy Peluso’s latest album, “Grasa.” Also captivating is Tijuana’s “Todos Los Caminos conducen al Hipódromo Agua Caliente” by music producer Espectro Caudillo (who directed the film under the artistic name Gallo Fortuna), where dark electronic music meets the city’s dark mystique. These films act as windows into the artists’ worlds, bridging the gap between sonic expression and cinematic storytelling.

Our curated selection also includes notable works from CA7RIEL & Paco Amorosa (“Baño María”) and Apple’s short film “¡Suerte!” shot on an iPhone 15 Pro and showcasing a diverse range of approaches and visions. Additionally, we mention SoundCloud’s documentary short, “Scenes: Música Mexicana,” featuring talents like Ivan Cornejo, Xavi, DannyLux, and Conexión Divina.

This list highlights some of the best Latin music short films we’ve seen in 2024. Please look at our selection and immerse yourself in the captivating videos below. Note: all these short films, presented randomly, are under 30 minutes long.

Bizarrap’s Exploration of AI in “BZRP.ai”

Days before the release of his musical session “Vol. 60” in May, Bizarrap surprised his fans with a seven-minute short film set in an enigmatic AI-driven music laboratory featuring Dominican rapper Lismar. Co-directed by Bizarrap and Oscar winner Armando Bo, the film challenges traditional conceptions of the future of music creation, addressing the interplay between human creativity and technological innovation.

In the short film, an executive suggests replacing real musicians with virtual megastars in his collaborations with the Argentine producer. “Who made the beat?” asks the producer, only to be met with the unsettling response: “What does it matter? We no longer need real musicians!” The film delves into the authenticity of music and whether AI could truly supplant the human spirit, exploring the depths and complexities of musical innovation.

CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso’s Irreverent Journey in “Baño María”

As directed by Brian Kazez, “Baño María” shares its title with the latest CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso album. The short film captures the friendship and irreverent style of the two Argentine artists in a buddy film format. Over 10 minutes, the film immerses the viewer in the chaotic world of the artists, featuring funky haircuts, bold tattoos, luxurious fur jackets, and lots of partying. With a storyline unfolding over 24 hours, the short film articulates a whirlwind of hallucinatory experiences, intensified by a soundtrack resonating with the duo’s album themes. This visual and sonic Journey reflects their creative freedom and leaves an impression as distinctive as their indomitable spirit.

Tijuana’s Neon Oasis in “Todos Los Caminos Conducen al Hipódromo Agua Caliente”

“Todos Los Caminos conducen al Hipódromo Agua Caliente,” a 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 stories of mythical and enigmatic figures like El Fantasma Apostador, La Faraona, and journalist Héctor “El Gato” Félix Miranda, symbols of the city’s glory and dark secrets.

With an atmospheric soundtrack featuring songs from Espectro Caudillo’s album “La Liturgia del Tigre Blanco” and narration by David Martínez, the film captures the mysterious charm of the Hipódromo Agua Caliente, a complex that included a casino, spa, and racetrack, which had its heyday a century ago. The short film combines myth and historical reality, examining themes of luxury, decadence, and contemporary challenges like drug trafficking, violence, and social inequality. Without revealing its final twist, the film invites viewers to immerse themselves in the border city’s unresolved mysteries and enduring fascination.

Nathy Peluso’s Theatrical Transformation in “Grasa”

Directed by Agustín Puente, Nathy Peluso’s short film reinvents the traditional music video format by incorporating 13 tracks from her album “Grasa.” This nearly 30-minute film transforms a simplistic setting into a dynamic theatrical spectacle, where each song brings ambiance through ingenious scenery and lighting changes.

Throughout the visual, Peluso undergoes various transformations—from embodying a seductive diva to becoming a resolute and armed rapper—equipped with bold accessories and outfits like a gun and Penny Lane-style fur coats. The Argentine artist not only transforms in appearance but also in emotional and spiritual aspects. This work highlights her versatility as a performer while offering an evocative window into her artistic evolution.

Surreal Journey in “¡Suerte!” Shot on iPhone 15 Pro

Part iPhone commercial, part short film, “¡Suerte!” follows Ivan Cornejo on a surreal journey through Mexico City to rekindle his musical inspiration. Directed by Cliqua, the work captures the Mexican-American artist exploring streets and markets with his guitar, reconnecting with his roots while immersing himself in a magical environment reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland” or “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 to experience unforgettable adventures. The film also features a cameo by María Zardoya of the Marías and includes Cornejo’s single “Intercambio injusto,” all filmed entirely with an iPhone 15 Pro.

Honorable Mention: “SCENES: Música Mexicana” by SoundCloud

SoundCloud has often been a launching platform for emerging subgenres that later dominate the charts, a pattern seen in phenomena like “SoundCloud rap,” plug music, or SoCal soul. “Scenes: Música Mexicana,” an episode of the platform’s “Scenes” series, witnesses this pattern by exploring the rise of corridos tumbados and sierreño, from their underground origins to their dominance on the Billboard charts. Directed by Elías López-Julián Burgueño and creatively directed 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.

Also read:Argentine Luján’s Novel ‘Subsuelo’ Adapted for New Spanish Film

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

By merging music with short films, Latin artists in 2024 have elevated their artistic narratives and created captivating cultural expressions that resonate with global audiences.