James A. Castillo
@murfish.bsky.social
He/Him · Emmy winning Director · Character Designer · Directing a movie about Goya.
Pinned
I am incredibly proud to share with all of you the taser for my latest film; The Quintas Ghost! It was made by an army of artists and mavericks. More news coming soon!
www.thequintasghost.com
www.thequintasghost.com
The Quintas Ghost made it to the Academy's shortlist! I cant believe that, among more than 100 films, ours managed to find an audience and float to the top.We want to thank the @theacademyusa.bsky.social and all its members for selecting our film.
December 16, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The Quintas Ghost made it to the Academy's shortlist! I cant believe that, among more than 100 films, ours managed to find an audience and float to the top.We want to thank the @theacademyusa.bsky.social and all its members for selecting our film.
Reposted by James A. Castillo
Me he metido de cabeza a ver si El Fantasma de la Quinta seguía en la lista de Animated Short Film y ahí está!! \o/ poniendo todas las velitas del mundo para que @murfish.bsky.social y el resto del equipo puedan ir a los Oscar porque todos los galardones que se lleven son pocos.
December 16, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Me he metido de cabeza a ver si El Fantasma de la Quinta seguía en la lista de Animated Short Film y ahí está!! \o/ poniendo todas las velitas del mundo para que @murfish.bsky.social y el resto del equipo puedan ir a los Oscar porque todos los galardones que se lleven son pocos.
Reposted by James A. Castillo
We are making a behind the scenes to honor the incredible work done by an incredible team of artists and researchers. Here is a sneak peek at what it took to get us where we are today!
December 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We are making a behind the scenes to honor the incredible work done by an incredible team of artists and researchers. Here is a sneak peek at what it took to get us where we are today!
We are making a behind the scenes to honor the incredible work done by an incredible team of artists and researchers. Here is a sneak peek at what it took to get us where we are today!
December 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We are making a behind the scenes to honor the incredible work done by an incredible team of artists and researchers. Here is a sneak peek at what it took to get us where we are today!
Reposted by James A. Castillo
Amazing in depth article about the behind the scenes work by our art department to bring this short to life. Check it out!
www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-q...
www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-q...
Inside 'The Quinta’s Ghost': Goya’s Nightmares Realized With VR
Discover how Emmy-winning filmmaker James A. Castillo used VR tools to bring Goya’s haunting Black Paintings to life in 'The Quinta’s Ghost.'
www.cartoonbrew.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Amazing in depth article about the behind the scenes work by our art department to bring this short to life. Check it out!
www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-q...
www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-q...
Incredibly proud of the work done by Illusorium for The Quinta's Ghost. This shots would have been nothing without their expertise on lighting and layout.
December 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Incredibly proud of the work done by Illusorium for The Quinta's Ghost. This shots would have been nothing without their expertise on lighting and layout.
In the 6 months since our film premiered at Tribeca, our film has screened in 25+ international film festivals, winning a whopping 16 awards.
We made a risky movie but the level of love we are receiving is making me thing that it was all worth it. Thank you to everyone who has made it possible!
We made a risky movie but the level of love we are receiving is making me thing that it was all worth it. Thank you to everyone who has made it possible!
November 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
In the 6 months since our film premiered at Tribeca, our film has screened in 25+ international film festivals, winning a whopping 16 awards.
We made a risky movie but the level of love we are receiving is making me thing that it was all worth it. Thank you to everyone who has made it possible!
We made a risky movie but the level of love we are receiving is making me thing that it was all worth it. Thank you to everyone who has made it possible!
Reposted by James A. Castillo
Entrevista a James A. Castillo ( @murfish.bsky.social ), director de 'El fantasma de la Quinta', film ganador del premio Méliès de Plata al Mejor Cortometraje Europeo de Género Fantástico, otorgado en el Festival de Sitges 2025.
buff.ly/NlJ4f5K...
buff.ly/NlJ4f5K...
November 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Entrevista a James A. Castillo ( @murfish.bsky.social ), director de 'El fantasma de la Quinta', film ganador del premio Méliès de Plata al Mejor Cortometraje Europeo de Género Fantástico, otorgado en el Festival de Sitges 2025.
buff.ly/NlJ4f5K...
buff.ly/NlJ4f5K...
What an incredibly humbling moment. Thanks
@mexopolis.bsky.social You are the best, thanks for the constant support of my work and career <3
@mexopolis.bsky.social You are the best, thanks for the constant support of my work and career <3
November 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
What an incredibly humbling moment. Thanks
@mexopolis.bsky.social You are the best, thanks for the constant support of my work and career <3
@mexopolis.bsky.social You are the best, thanks for the constant support of my work and career <3
Reposted by James A. Castillo
Entrevista a James A. Castillo ( @murfish.bsky.social ), director de 'El fantasma de la Quinta', film ganador del premio Méliès de Plata al Mejor Cortometraje Europeo de Género Fantástico, otorgado en el Festival de Sitges 2025.
windumanoth.com/entrevista-a...
windumanoth.com/entrevista-a...
November 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Entrevista a James A. Castillo ( @murfish.bsky.social ), director de 'El fantasma de la Quinta', film ganador del premio Méliès de Plata al Mejor Cortometraje Europeo de Género Fantástico, otorgado en el Festival de Sitges 2025.
windumanoth.com/entrevista-a...
windumanoth.com/entrevista-a...
Reposted by James A. Castillo
Above art by Hanna Cho, David R. Bleich, Alice Lemma, @murfish.bsky.social, Lily Nishita, @lindseyolivares.bsky.social, Quinne Larson, Yashar Kassal & Jake Panian.
You can buy The Art of The Mitchells vs The Machines here;
US - amzn.to/3Hjhx55
UK - amzn.to/4mvUzal #ad #animation
You can buy The Art of The Mitchells vs The Machines here;
US - amzn.to/3Hjhx55
UK - amzn.to/4mvUzal #ad #animation
October 23, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Above art by Hanna Cho, David R. Bleich, Alice Lemma, @murfish.bsky.social, Lily Nishita, @lindseyolivares.bsky.social, Quinne Larson, Yashar Kassal & Jake Panian.
You can buy The Art of The Mitchells vs The Machines here;
US - amzn.to/3Hjhx55
UK - amzn.to/4mvUzal #ad #animation
You can buy The Art of The Mitchells vs The Machines here;
US - amzn.to/3Hjhx55
UK - amzn.to/4mvUzal #ad #animation
Reposted by James A. Castillo
🎨 Hablamos con @murfish.bsky.social del cortometraje "El Fantasma de la Quinta" y de cómo querían que las personas que no conociesen a Goya pudiesen llegar a identificarse con el pintor
October 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
🎨 Hablamos con @murfish.bsky.social del cortometraje "El Fantasma de la Quinta" y de cómo querían que las personas que no conociesen a Goya pudiesen llegar a identificarse con el pintor
This are the kind of news I want. This match is PERFECT.
October 6, 2025 at 5:22 PM
This are the kind of news I want. This match is PERFECT.
Amazing in depth article about the behind the scenes work by our art department to bring this short to life. Check it out!
www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-q...
www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-q...
Inside 'The Quinta’s Ghost': Goya’s Nightmares Realized With VR
Discover how Emmy-winning filmmaker James A. Castillo used VR tools to bring Goya’s haunting Black Paintings to life in 'The Quinta’s Ghost.'
www.cartoonbrew.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Amazing in depth article about the behind the scenes work by our art department to bring this short to life. Check it out!
www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-q...
www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-q...
Reposted by James A. Castillo
I don't share a lot of pictures of myself online, but a couple of weekends ago my lifelong friend @murfish.bsky.social got married and I just feet the need to share how my partner and I got dressed for such an amazing wedding ❤️🏴☠️
September 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
I don't share a lot of pictures of myself online, but a couple of weekends ago my lifelong friend @murfish.bsky.social got married and I just feet the need to share how my partner and I got dressed for such an amazing wedding ❤️🏴☠️
Reposted by James A. Castillo
📢GUYS!
Since we first started working on The Quinta's Ghost we knew it was paramount that the film found the right audience. We dreamed of showing it at a place where audiences come hungry for wild, imaginative films… A place like SITGES! I AM OVER THE F%^&ING MOON
Since we first started working on The Quinta's Ghost we knew it was paramount that the film found the right audience. We dreamed of showing it at a place where audiences come hungry for wild, imaginative films… A place like SITGES! I AM OVER THE F%^&ING MOON
September 17, 2025 at 9:38 AM
📢GUYS!
Since we first started working on The Quinta's Ghost we knew it was paramount that the film found the right audience. We dreamed of showing it at a place where audiences come hungry for wild, imaginative films… A place like SITGES! I AM OVER THE F%^&ING MOON
Since we first started working on The Quinta's Ghost we knew it was paramount that the film found the right audience. We dreamed of showing it at a place where audiences come hungry for wild, imaginative films… A place like SITGES! I AM OVER THE F%^&ING MOON
Reposted by James A. Castillo
One of the most unexpected assignments for The Smurfs was designing the different magic systems that were going to appear in the film. We wanted to connect the Smurfs to water, so we designed a ripple like effect that would react with light the way a surface of water would.
July 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
One of the most unexpected assignments for The Smurfs was designing the different magic systems that were going to appear in the film. We wanted to connect the Smurfs to water, so we designed a ripple like effect that would react with light the way a surface of water would.
Keeping it with the evil wizards, here is a follow up to the previous assignment, refining some of the ideas and starting to develop their personalities and options a bit more. Support the film in cinemas! Its a wild ride.
July 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Keeping it with the evil wizards, here is a follow up to the previous assignment, refining some of the ideas and starting to develop their personalities and options a bit more. Support the film in cinemas! Its a wild ride.
Apart from the Snooterpoots, this film introduces a group of interdimensional evil wizards, that I had the pleasure of trying to bring to life. These are some of the very first sketches I did, just trying to be loose and having a good time.
July 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Apart from the Snooterpoots, this film introduces a group of interdimensional evil wizards, that I had the pleasure of trying to bring to life. These are some of the very first sketches I did, just trying to be loose and having a good time.
In this film we got the privilege of introducing a whole new set of characters to the Smurfs universe; the Snooterpoots! I got the call to start exploring how their underground dwellings could look, as well as how we could present it in a fun way
High res versions: www.jamesacastillo.com/smurfs
High res versions: www.jamesacastillo.com/smurfs
July 23, 2025 at 2:51 PM
In this film we got the privilege of introducing a whole new set of characters to the Smurfs universe; the Snooterpoots! I got the call to start exploring how their underground dwellings could look, as well as how we could present it in a fun way
High res versions: www.jamesacastillo.com/smurfs
High res versions: www.jamesacastillo.com/smurfs
Early explorations on how to represent the world of the Smurfs. We wanted to make sure it looked cinematic and grounded, so we explored different ways in which their houses could be integrated into nature, as well as looking for ways in which to use negative space to enhance the feeling of scale.
July 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Early explorations on how to represent the world of the Smurfs. We wanted to make sure it looked cinematic and grounded, so we explored different ways in which their houses could be integrated into nature, as well as looking for ways in which to use negative space to enhance the feeling of scale.
Guys! August 9th,10th and 16th you have a date with me! Ill be sharing my process, tips and looking at your assignments to help you push your work to the next level. Contact us at helloguikenschool@gmail.com
July 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Guys! August 9th,10th and 16th you have a date with me! Ill be sharing my process, tips and looking at your assignments to help you push your work to the next level. Contact us at helloguikenschool@gmail.com
❗GUYS📣 After a long hiatus from teaching, I am happy to share that I am doing a character design workshop! I will go over my process, how I handle assignments, offer career advise and my personal tricks when designing characters. If this is your jam, contact us at helloguikenschool@gmail.com !
July 17, 2025 at 6:20 PM
❗GUYS📣 After a long hiatus from teaching, I am happy to share that I am doing a character design workshop! I will go over my process, how I handle assignments, offer career advise and my personal tricks when designing characters. If this is your jam, contact us at helloguikenschool@gmail.com !