A short film based on the strained relationship between an immigrant mother and her daughter.

Mija is a short film about the complicated relationship between an immigrant mother, Antonia, and her US-born daughter, Yesenia. Antonia tries to connect with Yesenia but Yesenia wants nothing to do with her. Things start to shift after Yesenia has a conversation with her friend Fernanda.

Director Statement

MIJA is a story about the complexity that comes with being the daughter of an immigrant. Valerie wanted to step more into the Spanish side of film and start tying in her culture even more in her films. This story was inspired by all the conversations she has had with her friends about family life as children of immigrants.

Director Biography

Valerie Abrego Amaya is a Latina filmmaker based in Maryland, She is currently in her last year of university. Her short film Dirt was the first production she wrote and directed winning her the award "Most Promising" at the LIFE Festival in May 2023. She writes about Latine stories through her work and always tries to include representation in her films and writing. She has worked on other small school productions as a PA, art dept, cinematographer, and even sound. In the future, she hopes to be able to direct and produce a film for a big production company. Valerie also hopes to bring more Latine representation to the film industry through her work.