Text saying 'The First Cowboy' with a cowboy hat placed on the letter 'F' in the word 'First' and a lasso looped around the end of the text.
Poster for an indie short film festival featuring characters dressed as cowboys and cowgirls in historic attire, with a central handshake scene and a tent in the background. The poster includes titles, actor names, and production credits.

Our first film, The First Cowboy, tells the story of how Mexicans and Americans first came into contact as two powerful and equal cultures. This story is told through the eyes and lives of two families, the genteel Southern Palmers and the educated, progressive cowboys, the Velascos. Their loves and losses, triumphs and hardships play out against the backdrop of tumultuous times, culminating in the Texas Revolution and its aftermath.

We premiered this film at the second annual Mexican American Film & Television Festival to a tremendous audience response. So much so that Latin Heat Entertainment wrote an article about it! Check it out here.

The First Cowboy is also an official selection at the 2023 Los Angeles International Short Film Festival.

People dressed in historical costumes outdoors, with two men shaking hands in the center.

Spotlight From Latin Heat Magazine

“Film festivals are an amazing place to discover films and filmmakers who you instinctively know you want to see more of. Recently at the Mexican American Film & Television Festival, there were several short films that fit the description. One that caught our attention, and an audience favorite, was The First Cowboy, written, executive produced, and co-directed by Dr. Jose-Luis Ruiz and produced by Johnny Murillo.” - Bel Hernandez

In The Media

The First Cowboy Sizzle Reel

Behind the Scenes

People gathered around a table during a film or TV production, with crew members operating equipment and a foggy, warm-toned indoor setting.
People dressed in 1800s period clothing on a wooden street, with a woman in a floral dress, some men in suits and hats, and others in casual modern attire, on a sunny day.
Behind the scenes of a period drama film or TV show outdoor set with actors in 19th-century costumes, a director giving instructions, and film crew members setting up equipment, including trees and rustic buildings in the background.
People dressed in historical clothing standing in front of a wooden building with signs in a Western-style setting, some with props like a walking cane, hat, and hay bale.
Actors dressed as cowboys and cowgirls in period costumes, apparently filming a scene outdoors in front of a rustic building with wooden doors and windows.

Film Credits

Based on the Novel “The First Cowboy; The Collision of Two Great Cultures”  By J.L. Ruiz

Written & Co-Directed by Dr.Jose-Luis Ruiz

Produced by Johnny Murillo

Executive Producer Dr. Jose-Luis Ruiz

Cast

Mauricio Mendoza DonIgnacio Velasco

Fernanda Kelly Maria Velasco

Ryon Thomas Josiah Palmer

Bre Segars Martha Palmer

Emma Elle Bird Young Wife

Trenton Traffanstedt Young Husband

Glen Baggerly Adams

Susan Ramos Conchita

Marie Elizabeth Annabelle Palmer

Kolby King Teddy Palmer

Janine Stefani Rivera Caridad

Ricky Larezzi Lorenzo

Rob Ruiz Erasmo

Natasha Ruiz Pregnant Woman

Mary Kay Gibson Mother of Woman

Dan Gregory Henchman

Rigan Machado Henchman

Saeed Cann Henchman

July Modesto Prostitute

Luis Fernandez Street Vendor

Danny Monahan Woman Walking

Music Composer Sid De La Cruz

Director of Photography Pablo G. Ledezma

Editor Sid Sotelo