American Sons @ Rice Cinema

American Sons Documentay Screeing and Filmmakers Q+A Discussion

Film producer and Rice alum Elizabeth Avellán presents a documentary using first-hand footage captured by fallen Marine Cpl. Jorge “JV” Villarreal, a native of San Antonio, Texas.

Q&A post-screening with producer / director Andrew James Gonzales and producer Elizabeth Avellán.

American Sons is a powerful documentary about a brotherhood of U.S. Marines a decade after their Afghanistan deployment, focusing on their struggle with combat trauma, PTSD, and reintegration, especially after losing their friend, Cpl. JV Villarreal, who is brought to life through his own intimate video diaries, highlighting sacrifice, healing, and the need for veteran support.

American Sons
2025, 72 min, USA
Directed by Andrew James Gonzales
Saturday, January 31, 2026 // 7:00 PM

Please join us at:

Rice Cinema,

Sarofim Hall,

Rice University

6100 Main St

Houston, TX 77005

Free and open to the public.

Discounted parking available at West Lot 4.
Flat rate $6, credit card required.

RSarofim Hall is located at the corner of Entrance 8 via University Blvd. and Stockton St.

For specific directions to Sarofim Hall, please use this link:

PARKING:Guests can take advantage of discounted parking in West Lot 4.

The flat fee is $6, and a credit or debit card is required.

Google map link to West Lot 4:

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Producer / Director – Andrew Gonzales:

Andrew James Gonzales is an award-winning Texas filmmaker and the Producer, Director, Cinematographer, and Editor of American Sons, a feature-length documentary that reveals the sacrifices of veterans and their families and confronts the mental health epidemic impacting those who return from combat.

Dedicated to telling underrepresented stories with raw, honesty, Gonzales brings a rare blend of technical skill and emotional sensitivity to his work. His dual role behind the camera and in the editing room gives American Sons a visual and emotional cohesion that captures the veteran experience with unprecedented intimacy.

More than a filmmaker, Andrew is an advocate. His work is rooted in a commitment to honoring veterans, raising awareness about mental health and ensuring that the sacrifices of service members are both recognized and remembered. Through storytelling, he seeks to create connection, healing, and a deeper cultural understanding.

Producer – Elizabeth Avellán

Elizabeth Avellán is a Producer of bold narrative diversified content. She is Co-Owner and Vice President of Troublemaker Studios. In addition to producing family and genre films that have collectively grossed more than a billion and a half dollars in box office, she has played a primary role in developing Austin, Texas as a thriving film community.

Avellán began her producing career when she co-founded Los Hooligans Productions in 1991 with Robert Rodriguez as the two began their feature film project “El Mariachi.” Made for just $7,000, “El Mariachi,” was the winner of the 1993 Audience Awards at the Sundance and Deauville Film Festivals. Over the past twenty years, she has produced such films as the “Spy Kids” franchise, “Sin City,” “Predators,” “Machete,” “Desperado,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” among others.

Avellán is dedicated to creating opportunity for undiscovered voices while working diligently with seasoned craftsmen and established filmmakers. She is enthusiastically focused on Latino storytelling, which is very dear to Elizabeth’s heart.

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Host or Publisher Edgewood Veterans Association