“Home is Somewhere Else” is a pride for Tijuana; represents them in the Ariel Awards

A true pride of the city of Tijuana is the film “Home is Somewhere Else”, which received two nominations at the prestigious 65th Ariel Awards. This exciting production was nominated in the categories of Best Documentary Feature and Best Animated Feature, a great achievement for the creative team and, above all, for its producer, the talented Mariana Marín Romero from Tijuana, who is also the coordinator de Brinca: Animation lab.

The impact of this film has crossed borders ever since had its international premiere at the Annecy International Animation Festival and later, it was presented in Mexico during the Guadalajara International Film Festival in 2022. This invaluable experience allowed him to gain global recognition and dissemination. Abelardo Vázquez Ramos, director of creative industries at the Baja California Ministry of Economy and Innovation, shared this exciting news with us.

During its journey through several festivals, “Home is Somewhere Else” has received several awards, such as the Award for best documentary for young people at the “International Documentary Film Festival” (IDFA). He has also been recognized with the Special Choral Prize of the Animation Jury at the 43rd Havana Film Festival et al Made in Mexico Award in DocxMX.

In addition, it received the Corazón Award for Best Frontier Feature Film at the San Diego Latin Film Festival and received an honorable mention of the Zanate Grand Prize at the Mexican festival of the same name.

This captivating 2D animated documentary presents the personal stories of three young immigrants, who face complexities and challenges in their daily lives.

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Through the voices of these young people and their families, the stories intertwine with the narration of José Eduardo Aguilar, also known as “El Deportee”, a poet and presenter whose vibrant Spanish defies standards and arouses the viewer’s curiosity when seeking to decipher his poems.

Each story included in “Home is Somewhere Else” features a unique animation visual style, developed by three different teams. The animation immerses us in the worst nightmares of these characters, but also allows us to live out their most colorful dreams and their hopes for a better future.

This approach offers a deeper exploration of their inner worlds than a “traditional” documentary would allow. It’s a real visual and emotional treat.

‘Home is Somewhere Else’ is an example of the importance of local films

Recently, in the month of May, the film had its commercial premiere in various theaters around the country, and also had the honor of participating in prestigious festivals such as Morelia, Los Cabos, Guanajuato, Ambulante and Animasivo.

State Film Commissioner Javier Espinoza Medina stressed the importance of bringing this film work to Mexico’s border cities. In September of last year, the film was screened in Tijuana, specifically at the Carlos Monsiváis Film Library of the Cultural Center of Tijuana (CECUT) and at the emblematic border fence located in Playas de Tijuana.

This special screening in the city of Tijuana, where much of the production took place, was an exciting and meaningful experience for the team behind “Home is Somewhere Else”. Being able to share the film in its place of origin, where the roots and stories that inspired this project reside, was a moment of pride and deep connection with the Tijuana community.

The impact of ‘Home is Somewhere Else’ proved that homegrown films have tremendous potential to push boundaries and conquer the scene. The recognition at the Ariel Awards and the prizes obtained at international festivals are proof of this talent and quality of film production in Baja California.

In addition to its artistic impact, this film opens a space for reflection on the realities and challenges faced by young immigrants today. Through animation and personal stories, the audience is invited to empathize and understand the different experiences surrounding the concept of “home” and finding a place in the world.

“Home is Somewhere Else” is an inspiring example of how cinema can address relevant issues and generate deep dialogue with audiences. Remember that films have the power to break down barriers, break down prejudices and create bonds of empathy between people of different cultures and realities.