Xiomara and Ana, two Central American migrant teens, work the late-night shift at a garment factory. When Ana goes missing after staying for an extra shift, ‘Xo’ searches for her friend, only to uncover Ana never made it home. Her search leads her back to the factory, where she's faced with a devastating truth.

Director's Statement

I wrote and directed Made in America in hopes of shedding light on the labor exploitation of unaccompanied migrant children who are working dangerous factory jobs across the U.S. As a Mexican-American woman who grew up too fast, I’m drawn to stories of girlhood under pressure. Inspired by Andrea Arnold’s raw storytelling, I cast real teens, shot handheld to stay fluid and intimate, and relied on a diegetic soundscape to immerse the audience in the protagonist's life. The film also became a quiet tribute to my grandfather, a former child laborer, and the resilience he embodied throughout his life.

Category: Drama, Short, Award Winner.
Themes: Youth, Labor.

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