Zero Untitled’s official submission to the “2026 Water, TX Film Festival” is a bleak work called “Echo”, written by Katherine Orozco-Verderber, conceived and directed by Michael Verderber, with the Director of Photography, Julio Martinez. All entrants to the festival should have a heavy focus on “water” as a topic in the film submission. ZU is going the ironic route.

Utilizing the bunraku puppeteering skills of Dakota West, Martinez, and Verderber, the short film focuses on a crane (recently used in “My Friend, Mr. Crane”) searching his habitat for something edible in the water. Only problem – there is no water left. The film is a scathing indictment on water issues arising in south Texas, as well as mankind’s negative effect on animal habitats.

Director – Michael Verderber
Words – Katherine Orozco-Verderber
Storyboarding and Director of Photography – Julio Martinez
Bunraku Puppeteers – Dakota West, Julio Martinez, Michael Verderber
Camera – Katherine Orozco-Verderber
Music – Down Chamber “Through the Forest Lies Treachery” and “Echo Theme”

The film is now viewable on YouTube and was submitted to the “2026 Water, Tx Festival”.