CARLOS RAFAEL BETANCOURT

DIRECTOR & EDITOR

OSCAR ERNESTO ORTEGA

DIRECTOR & CINEMATOGRAPHER

Carlos Rafael Betancourt and Oscar Ernesto Ortega developed a common voice as they created EL CENTRAL, one of the first production companies in Cuba, with award winning titles like "La Isla de Corcho", winner of the Ibero-American contest CINERGIA, NYCIFF and IFQ Festival in the US. 

While Oscar relocated with EL CENTRAL in Miami, Carlos moved to Los Angeles to pursue graduate studies in film, becoming the first Cuban Directing Fellow at the American Film Institute. Carlos' AFI Thesis Film, "Running Shadow" played at NALIP, Skins Fest, Red Nation Film Festival, Catalina Film Festival, Worldfest Houston, LA Diversity Film Festival, Arizona International Film Festival, among others.

Carlos and Oscar joined forces one more time to write and direct their first feature film, "The Last Rafter", a very personal story that mines from their immigrant experience. The film premiered at Miami Film Festival and has been selected at Dallas International Film Festival and LALIFF.