Texas-born director Chris Eska got some national exposure last weekend at the 2008 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

The 31-year-old's film, “August Evening,” won the John Cassavetes Award, which recognizes feature films made for less than $500,000.

Eska filmed “August Evening” in San Antonio and Gonzales in 2005. It stars San Antonian Pedro Castaneda, who was up for the Spirit award for best male lead for his portrayal of Jaime, an aging undocumented migrant worker.

Castaneda lost to Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role in “The Savages.”

Eska thanked “everybody back in Texas” during his acceptance speech and said he hoped the film would make audiences think about their views on immigration.

Melissa Rentería | 210SA contributor