Two Latin American filmmakers have been shortlisted in the Documentary Short Film competition at the 97th Academy Awards: Until He’s Back / Hasta que vuelva by Mexican director Jacqueline Baylon and Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World by Colombian director Julio Palacio.
Through interwoven narratives, Until He’s Back tells the poignant story of Ahmed Tchiche, whose son drowned at sea while trying to reach Spain. Ahmed must navigate the complex process of repatriating his son’s remains to Morocco to give his family a proper farewell. A Spanish mortician, an NGO worker, and a Moroccan immigrant in Spain join forces to assist him.
Until He’s Back has been featured at several film festivals, including San Francisco, Woodstock, and DOC NYC. It has won the Best Short Award at Big Sky, Best Documentary Short at the Hamptons, and was nominated for Best Short Documentary at the IDA Awards. The film is currently available to stream for free as part of the 37th Season of POV, PBS’ showcase for independent nonfiction films.
Baylon, a Mexican filmmaker born in Chihuahua and raised in El Paso, Texas, is a graduate of Texas State University. She has worked for national news organizations, focusing on civil rights and immigration stories. Currently producing and directing news documentaries for Scripps Longform, Baylon previously worked as a video producer for Business Insider and a staff journalist for The New York Times, where she shot and produced videos. She began her career as a print reporter for outlets like The Tampa Bay Times and The Sacramento Bee.
Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World is a moving portrait of Makayla, a Black teenager from Atlanta with a rare form of autism that renders her mostly nonverbal. Her parents’ unwavering belief in her potential fuels their transformative journey together.
The short film premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival last January and has since screened at numerous festivals, including Cleveland, Indy Shorts, Atlanta, Florida, and Tribeca, where it won the Best Documentary Short Award. It is currently streaming on Netflix.
Palacio, born in Colombia, moved to the U.S. at age 20 to pursue a film and acting education. A graduate of Georgia State University, his focus Is on short form documentary and his work has been officially selected at many festivals including Vail, Diversity in Cannes, Riom France, AmDocs, RIIFF, Tribeca and Sundance. He has also directed films and commercials for major clients like MasterCard, McDonald's, and Canada Dry. Palacio's work has taken him across the globe, including Australia, Germany, and Brazil. His filmmaking blends authentic moments with cinematic visuals, exemplified in his recent work, Not the Science Type: Gitanjali (2023).
The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on Sunday, January 19, and the winners will be unveiled on Sunday, March 2.
