12 Minutes (2007)

A witty Chilean short comedy from Sebastián Lelio about a director racing against the clock for a watch brand.

12 Minutes - Movie Information

  • Original Title: 12 minutos
  • Release Year: 2007
  • Directed by: Sebastián Lelio
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Comedy
  • Runtime: 14m
  • Original Language: Spanish
  • Spoken Languages: Spanish
  • Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 2007 (Chile)
  • Production Companies: Horamágica
  • Production Countries: Chile

12 Minutes - Plot

A young director is commissioned with the task of doing a short film for a watch company.

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12 Minutes - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Sebastián Lelio

Main Cast

  • Néstor Cantillana
  • Pablo Díaz
  • Antonia Zegers
  • Paz Bascuñan
  • Katyna Huberman
  • Loreto Cortéz
  • Loreto Leonvendagar

Writers

  • Sebastián Lelio

Producers

  • Ursula Budnik
  • Horamágica

12 Minutes - FAQs

What is 12 Minutes about?

12 Minutes follows a young director who gets hired to create a short film for a watch company. The comedy explores the creative chaos and quirky characters that emerge when art meets commercial deadline, all wrapped up in a brisk 14-minute runtime from Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio.

Who directed the short film 12 Minutes?

12 Minutes was directed by Sebastián Lelio, the Chilean filmmaker who would later gain international acclaim for Gloria (2013) and A Fantastic Woman (2017), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He also served as cinematographer and editor on this early short.

Who are the main actors in 12 Minutes?

The cast features Néstor Cantillana as Paco, Pablo Díaz as the Director, Antonia Zegers as Isidora Zenteno, Paz Bascuñan as Luz Barahona, Katyna Huberman as Marina Guendelman, Loreto Cortéz as Lorena Sutil, and Loreto Leonvendagar as Gúdula.

How long is the short film 12 Minutes?

True to its title, 12 Minutes clocks in at just 14 minutes — making it a compact, fast-paced short film. It’s a quick and entertaining watch, perfect for getting a taste of Sebastián Lelio’s early directorial style before he became an internationally celebrated filmmaker.

Is 12 Minutes an early work by Sebastián Lelio?

Yes, 12 Minutes is one of Lelio’s early short films, released in 2007 before his feature debut. It’s a fascinating glimpse into his developing voice as a filmmaker. Lelio wore multiple hats here, handling direction, cinematography, and editing — a sign of the creative ambition that would define his later career.

Where was 12 Minutes produced?

12 Minutes is a Chilean production, made by Horamágica and produced by Ursula Budnik. It was released in Chile on January 1, 2007. The film is entirely in Spanish and reflects the local filmmaking scene that helped launch Sebastián Lelio’s career.

What are some films similar to 12 Minutes?

If you enjoy the comedic, behind-the-scenes creative energy of 12 Minutes, you might also like CQ (2001), a film-within-a-film comedy about a young director navigating artistic and commercial pressures. Welcome to the Club (2022) and The Wedding Year (2019) also offer light, character-driven comedy worth exploring.

Where can I watch 12 Minutes online?

Streaming availability for 12 Minutes varies by region. Since it’s an early short film, it may have limited distribution on major platforms. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which aggregates current streaming, rental, and purchase options available in your country.

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