The Exam

The short film “The Exam” addresses the recruitment of top students by criminal organizations in Mexico, using verified data from the journalistic project “Mexico: Destroying the Future” to raise public awareness. The main challenge was to showcase a sensitive topic without sensationalism while generating emotional resonance. The story poses a powerful question: what if being a good student in Mexico could ruin your life?

The strategy relied on fiction as a safe yet shocking way to expose a dangerous truth, since speaking openly about organized crime is often deadly. The short film premiered and was distributed through the country’s main movie theater chain. As a result, various media partners and digital platforms shared it, generating organic engagement. By leveraging emotion, the film created space for political action. The results were immediate: widespread media coverage, an official government response, and the activation of key sectors such as education and entertainment.