Alex Garcia Mallarini is an American-Uruguayan director, screenwriter, and film producer. He is best known for THE FEMALE SIDE EFFECT (2023), a dark, socially charged thriller critiquing pharmaceutical companies and the systemic lack of research on women’s health. The film received seven awards, including three Best Director honors at AIMAFF (Athens), BIA (Barcelona) and VIZ film fest.

Driven by a desire to challenge conventional storytelling, Garcia Mallarini’s work is known for its gritty, bold style—often blending with raw, emotional human experiences. He refers to this approach as “creating beautiful chaos.”

His other work as a director and writer includes MELODY OF A SORROW HEART (2022), FUERA DE NUESTRO CONTROL (2021), and A TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO HAPPINESS (2020), for which he won Best Male Director at the Atlantic Bridge Festival.

He has also directed a range of commercials and music videos. Currently Alex lives in Barcelona, where he is working on his debut feature.

RECOGNITION

(FILM)

‘Bearded Tooth’ - Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival 2025 - Screenplay Finalist

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Barcelona Indie Awards 2024 - Winner Best Male Director

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Aimaff 2024 - Winner Best Directing

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Viz Film Fest 2024 - Winner Best Director

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Viz Film Fest 2024 - Winner Best Short

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Viz Film Fest 2024 - Winner Best Sound Design

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Japan International Film Festival 2024 - Winner Best Short Film

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Roma Short Film Festival 2024 - Winner Best Production

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival 2024 - Semi Finalist

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Barciff 2024 - Official Selection

‘The Female Side Effect’ - REC 2024 - Official Selection

‘The Female Side Effect’ - Evolution Mallorca Int. Film Festival 2023 - Official Selection

‘Fuera De Nuestro Control’ - ARFF Barcelona Int. Film Fest 2022 - Best Short Film Honorable Mention

‘Melody Of A Sorrow Heart’ - Prague Int. Indie Film Festival 2022 - Official Selection

‘Melody Of A Sorrow Heart’ - Venice Shorts 2022 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Film Arts & Hearts Int. Film Fest 2022 - Official Selection

‘Fuera De Nuestro Control’ - New York Shorts Int. Film Festival 2021 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Atlantic Bridge Film Festival 2021 - Best Male Director

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Barcelona International Film Festival 2021 - Semi Finalist

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Amsterdam Lift Off Film Fest 2021 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Barciff Barcelona 2021 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Madrid Int. Film Festival 2021 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Berlin Lift Off Film Fest 2021 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Venice Shorts 2021 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Bueiff Channel 2021 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Paris Lift Off Film Fest 2021 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Chicago Indie Awards 2020 - Semi Finalist

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - Cannes Indie Shorts Awards 2020 - Official Selection

‘A Travelers Guide To Happiness’ - London Lift Off Film Fest 2020 - Official Selection

(COMMERCIAL + OTHER)

Berlin Commercial - Señorita ‘Unapologetically Spanish’ - Craft Directing - Official Selection 2025

Berlin Commercial - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Craft Directing - Official Selection 2025

Shiny Awards - Puma ‘Forever Faster’ - Shiny List Official Selection 2025

Shiny Awards - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Shiny List Official Selection 2025

Adf Argentina 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Best Music Video Cinematography Official Selection

Nubes Music Video Awards 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Best Music Video Director Finalist

Nubes Music Video Awards 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Finalist Honorable Mention

Barciff Barcelona 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Best Director Nominee

Barciff Barcelona 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Official Selection

Europe Music Video Awards 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Official Selection Best Cinematography

Madriff Madrid 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Best Director Nominee

Madriff Madrid 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Official Selection

Madrid Film Awards Premio Ercolalo 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Official Selection

Lisbiff Lisboa 2025 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Official Selection

Robinson Film Awards International Film Festival 2024 - Lux Mala ‘Catacumba’ - Semi Finalist

PRESS

Deep dive into the world of Alex Garcia Mallarini
Athens International Film Festival, March 2024

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