Call Me Waya
“Call Me Waya is a compelling portrait of self-taught Cuban artist Wayacon, weaving together themes of creative resilience, the realities of his context, and a lifetime of work on the fringes of the art world. The film resonates with broad audiences and students alike, showcasing Wayacon’s ability to transform discarded materials into profound expressions of life and memory.”
—Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford Co-Director Floating Museum
Call Me Waya is about an octogenarian, self taught “outsider” artist living in the small town of Remedios, Cuba. Despite his age, he is prolific, producing fantastical, childlike work that often incorporates found materials, a necessary approach reflecting the state of widespread scarcity in Cuba. The film shows much of Wayacón’s extensive body of work, his struggle with substance abuse, his volatile relationship with his family, and the role of Sandra Levinson of the Center for Cuban Studies in bringing Cuban art to the United States and beyond. The film is part of the New Day Films Collection.
2025
Digital video, 39 min
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Producer / Director: Charles Abelmann
Co-Producers: Emilia Toledo (USA), Yenobis Delgado (Cuba)
Editors: Agustin Donoso (Chile)
Camera: Raul Ernesto “Yucca” Gutierrez Garcia (Cuba)
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Festivals
2025 Havana Film Festival of New York (World Premiere)
2025 Festival de Cine Pobre de Gibara (Cuban Premiere)
2026 MSU Latinx Film Festival
2026 Gasparilla International Film Festival
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Distribution
New Day Films

