The Last Out by Michael Gassert and Sami Khan
Two U.S. Latinx documentaries were announced last week among the nominees for the 44th annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards: POV’s The Last Out by Michael Gassert and Sami Khan for Outstanding Business and Economy Documentary; and Netflix’s I Am Vanessa Guillen by Christy Wegener for Outstanding Investigative Documentary.
An official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival, The Last Out follows three Cuban baseball players as they leave their families and risk exile to chase their dreams of playing in the United States. At the shadowy nexus of the migrant trail and pro sports, Gassert and Khan’s documentary chronicles their harrowing journey, from immigration obstacles to the broken promises of dubious agents. Against all odds, these young athletes try to hold onto their hope while fighting for a better life for their families. The film had its broadcast premiere in the season 35 of PBS’ POV series last fall.
I Am Vanessa Guillen tells the real story of a young woman who dreamed of a military career. In 2020, however, after telling her mother she was being sexually harassed on the Fort Hood army base, Guillen was murdered by a fellow soldier. Her story sparked an international movement of assault victims demanding action. The project follows her family’s fight for historic reform, a journey that takes them to the Oval Office.
The winners of the 44th News & Documentary Emmy Awards will be announced in two individual ceremonies in New York City: on Wednesday, September 27, for News categories, and on Thursday, September 28 for Documentary categories.
