Press

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced shortlists in 10 categories for the 97th Academy Awards®: Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound and Visual Effects.

Tribeca 2024 Makayla’s Voice - Best Short Doc

Best Documentary Short: Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World, director Julio Palacio (United States) - New York Premiere. Jury statement: “For the grace with which it showed the gratitude and joy of parents unlocking the brilliance of their autistic daughter, and for how it showcased her extraordinary, once hidden talent, we chose Mikayla’s Voice.”

New Doc Short Explores the Unique Journey of a Nonverbal Teen with Autism

Directed by Julio Palacio, the film is a celebration of belief, understanding, and the power of connection.

Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World, a compelling new documentary short directed by Julio Palacio (Not the Science Type, The Crossing), chronicles the extraordinary story of Makayla, a teenage girl living with a rare form of autism that has rendered her essentially nonverbal.