Ambrose Velasco & Rich Sommer in Bigfoot Woods
Rich Sommer & Ambrose Velasco in Bigfoot Woods
Rich Sommer, Tristen MacDonald & Ambrose Velasco in Bigfoot Woods
Bruce and Abel Pavalon, a Father-and-Son Writing Duo, Turn Their Own Life Story Into a Touching Exploration of Identity, Belonging and Bigfoot
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, September 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — What occurs when a close-knit community is more willing to believe in a legendary creature than to embrace a young person’s true identity? That’s the central question explored in “Bigfoot Woods,” the acclaimed feature written by the father-and-son duo Bruce and Abel Pavalon. The film, which has earned multiple honors, will have its West Coast Premiere as part of the 17th Annual Awareness Film Festival in Santa Monica, California.
The West Coast Premiere showing of “Bigfoot Woods” is scheduled for October 17, with the screenwriters and a number of the cast members expected to be present.
Under the direction of Elizabeth Chatelain, “Bigfoot Woods” features performances from Ambrose Velasco, Rich Sommer (Mad Men, The Devil Wears Prada), Tristen MacDonald (High Potential, Lessons in Chemistry), Julia Zook (The Book Club Murders, Comics Café) and Derek Hughes (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Mr. Deeds).
Taking place in a small community in northern Minnesota, the story centers on teenager Bridget/Jonah Benally (Velasco) and his father Paul (Sommer). Their lives take an unexpected turn when they accidentally record what looks like footage of Bigfoot. Almost immediately, the two find themselves thrust into local fame. Yet, as Jonah begins to understand and openly live as a boy, the spotlight reveals a troubling disconnect in their town: those who are quick to accept the existence of a mythical beast are less willing to accept the reality of someone they’ve known their entire lives.
Mixing family drama, humor, and the lore of one of America’s most lasting legends, “Bigfoot Woods” employs an improbable Bigfoot encounter to delve into a universal human experience—the longing to be recognized, understood, and embraced.
For Bruce and Abel Pavalon, the narrative hits especially close to home. The script is rooted in Abel Pavalon’s own experience of transitioning from female to male, lending the film’s father-son dynamic a deeply personal resonance. The Pavalons, who have deep connections to northern Minnesota and spend their summers at a family cabin there, have anchored the movie in the landscape and community that served as its inspiration.
This authenticity has helped “Bigfoot Woods” build momentum on the festival circuit. The movie made its world premiere at the 2026 Fargo Film Festival, where it won the festival’s Prairie Spirit Award, a prize created to honor films that reflect the distinctive character and resilience of the Northern Plains. “Bigfoot Woods” later was named an Official Selection of the 45th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, and Ambrose Velasco was recognized with the Best Performance Award for his role as Bridget/Jonah from TwinCitiesGayScene.com.
Produced by Megan Huber and Wyatt McDill (3-Day Weekend), with Bruce Pavalon as executive producer, “Bigfoot Woods” was shot in Minnesota with cinematography by Wilson Webb and editing by Cecilia Delgado.
The upcoming screening at the Awareness Film Festival is especially fitting for a movie that centers on compassion, family, and acceptance. Run by the nonprofit Heal One World, the festival highlights independent films designed not just for entertainment but also to foster awareness and inspire change. Now in its 17th year, the event occurs October 13–18, 2026, in Santa Monica, with an online segment to follow.
For “Bigfoot Woods,” the festival represents another chance to bring the story to audiences through an approachable and unconventional lens: equal parts family drama, small-town satire, and Bigfoot tale.
“Bigfoot Woods” will be shown at the 17th Annual Awareness Film Festival at 2pm on Saturday, October 17th, at The Illusion Lounge Main Theatre in Santa Monica. Tickets are available HERE.
ABOUT BIGFOOT WOODS
‘Bigfoot Woods’ is a 2026 American independent feature directed by Elizabeth Chatelain and written by the father-and-son screenwriting team of Bruce and Abel Pavalon. Drawing from the personal experiences of Abel and Bruce Pavalon, the film follows a teen and their father whose accidental footage of a supposed Bigfoot sighting makes them local celebrities, even as their community struggles with the teenager’s transition. The cast includes Rich Sommer, Ambrose Velasco, Tristen MacDonald, Julia Zook, and Derek Hughes, with production by Megan Huber and Wyatt McDill and executive producing by Bruce Pavalon.
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