The short film that Napoleon Dynamite was based on shows a day in the life of Seth, supernerd extraordinaire, rocking the megalopolis of Preston, Idaho, and soon the world, with his illegal ninja moves and his sweet fanny pack. GOSH!
Acting
Heder's Seth is somehow MORE unhinged than Napoleon.
Production
$500 budget, student crew, actual Preston locals.
Writing
Dialogue so specific it feels like documentary.

Director
Jared Hess
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hess made this for a Brigham Young University class project. The 'Peluca' title refers to Seth's obvious wig—Jon Heder's real hair was too normal.
This Sundance-winning short directly became Napoleon Dynamite's financing. Every studio passed until the short went viral in pre-YouTube film circles.