A Cuban American indie film titled 1972 has wrapped production in Los Angeles, with Yul Vázquez, Cheryl Umaña, José Zúñiga, and newcomer Bryanna Marie Felipe leading the cast, Deadline reported on 6 August 2026.

The film is set at a New Year's Eve party in 1972 Manhattan, where Cuban exile Gloria Cienfuegos — played by Umaña — confronts a defiant teenage daughter (Felipe), a charismatic novelist friend (Vázquez), party crashers, a rogue hamster, and the creeping fear that she may never return to her homeland. José Zúñiga also stars, with an ensemble cast that includes Sienna Oquendo as Lucia Cienfuegos, Krizia Bajos, Orlando Pinedala, Kelvin Han Yee, Aixa Clemente, Yareli Arizmendi, Adam Peltier, Paige McGhee, Damian Darnell Lewis, Gia Ochsenbein, and Gary Guerrier.

Marissa Chibás wrote and directed the film, drawing on her own upbringing as the daughter of a commander in the Cuban Revolution and a Miss Cuba runner-up. Her screenplay earned her a spot as a Sundance Screenwriting Fellow and was selected for the 2024 Gotham Week Project Market — a showcase where film-makers connect with industry backers. It also made the Wscripted Cannes Screenplay List, was an Athena Awards finalist, and received an inaugural Sundance/Gold House Artist Accelerator grant.

Liz Cardenas and Rui M. Xu produced 1972 through the companies Nil Novi, Ten to the Six Pictures, and Three Friends/One Spirit. Vázquez doubles as executive producer. The creative team includes director of photography Diana Matos, editor Jonathan Cuartas, composer Marcelo Zarvos, production designer Sandra B. Rodriguez, and costume designer Victor A. Sandoval. The soundtrack features songs by Bobi Cespedes, PALO!, The S.O.U.L., Jomama Jones, Blue Eye Extinction, Constance Hauman, and Johnny Knollwood and the Church of Mad Love.

The producers are eyeing a festival run for early 2027, which would position 1972 for the winter and spring circuit — Sundance in January, Berlin's European Film Market in February, and SXSW in March — where independent films seek distribution deals and critical attention.

Vázquez is represented by Gersh Agency and Untitled Entertainment; Umaña by Metropolitan Talent Agency; Zúñiga by SDB Partners and Prime Talent Media; and Felipe by Arise Artists Agency and Brave Artists Management.