3rd Place: Issue Zero is an independent coming-of-age feature film from Arkie Studios set in the small Texas town called Yoakum. The story follows Emilio and Trevor, two community college students who dream of leaving their hometown behind by creating an Aztec-inspired comic book for a national competition. When their work is stolen by a neighborhood bike gang just days before the deadline, they embark on an unexpected adventure to get it back.

​

Blending heartfelt comedy, regional Texas culture, and Latino representation, 3rd Place explores friendship, identity, ambition, and the struggle to chase creative dreams while feeling trapped by circumstance. Inspired by classic coming-of-age films, indie cinema, comic books, and Texas life, the film celebrates the resilience of young artists determined to forge their own path.