The Film
Juanita has been unjustly detained in Reynosa, Mexico for over seven years, accused of a crime she didn’t commit and forced to confess in a language she didn’t understand.
This intimate portrait follows Ana and Pedro, Juanita’s aunt and uncle, on their thousand-mile journey from the highlands of Guatemala to Northern Mexico. With the help of a network of Maya interpreters and the family's Maya Chuj community, they fight for Juanita’s release and demand justice from the Mexican authorities, a cause that became internationally recognized for its defense of migrants’ rights and language justice.
Screenings
Upcoming:
Past:
Sat, Dec 21, 2024 | 1:30 pm
Guatemala Premiere
Community Screening in Participants' Hometown
Municipal Gymnasium
San Mateo Ixtatán, Huehuetenango, Guatemala
Sun, Oct 13, 2024 | 7:00 pm
World Premiere
at DOCSMX
Goethe-Institut Mexiko
Tonalá 43, Cuauhtémoc, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700
Ciudad de México, México
Mon, Oct 14, 2024 | 8:00 pm
DOCSMX
Cineteca Nacional - Foro
Av. México Coyoacán 389, Xoco, Benito Juárez, 03330
Ciudad de México, México
The Goal
In 2014 the United States gave Mexico millions of dollars as part of the “Plan Frontera Sur” to make it as difficult as possible for migrants to reach the US-Mexico border, resulting in an increase in human rights violations, arbitrary detentions, and forced disappearances. Sadly, 10 years later, conditions have only worsened.
Juanita is one of the hundreds of thousands of migrants trapped within a system designed to criminalize migration.
Our film’s main goal is to spotlight Juanita’s case that became emblematic of the fight against language discrimination and the injustices of a migrant 'containment' system imposed by our governments.
Freeing Juanita shows us how a family’s love, bolstered by the unconditional support of their Mayan community and combined with the efforts of international human rights networks, can resist the policies of exclusion and criminalization of migrants in our countries.
Support Our Cause
Donate Now
Your donation can make a profound impact by supporting our film's mission. We are continuing to raise funds to finish the film as well as to support our plans for distribution and impact campaign. Your support will help bring Juanita's story to rural communities in Guatemala and migrant shelters in Mexico, spreading awareness and inspiring change. Any amount is appreciated, and is tax-deductible (only in the US).
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A QUICK LOOK AT
FREEING JUANITA
Let's collaborate
Host a screening event
We'd love to collaborate with you to host a screening event of our film Freeing Juanita. Together, we can create an experience that resonates with every member of your community. Reach out to us at INFO@FREEJUANITAFILM.COM so we can tailor the perfect event for your community.
Our Team
Sebastián Lasaosa Rogers
Director & Producer
Adrián
Gutiérrez
Producer
Ana
Gómez
Producer & Impact Producer
Tristan
Call
Producer & Impact Producer