Neither Here / Nor There

Ni Aquí / Ni Allá

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2023 NOMINEE - BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

  • 2020

  • United States / Dominican Republic / Costa Rica

  • 15 mins

  • Spanish

  • Documentary Film Competition

Ley Comas
Ley Comas
Ydalia Comas, Ley Comas, Bryan Ortega Comas, Loida Ortega

NI AQUÍ/NI ALLÁ is a personal documentary that centers on a conversation between filmmaker Ley Comas and their mother about their gender identity. As the middle child of Christian pastors, Ley never imagined that transitioning was possible. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Ley only witnessed trans people portrayed as evil characters, punchlines in movies and TV shows, or outcasts and victims. At home, anything that went against God´s word was an abomination. This documentary follows Ley´s physical and psychological journey to become themself, while struggling to find a middle ground with their family.

About the Director

Ley is Afro-Caribbean, born in Costa Rica and raised in the Dominican Republic. Ley is a production sound mixer by trade, their work in sound has been included in several film festivals and major streaming platforms. As an educator, Ley serves as an Adjunct Professor at Temple University. Their work as a filmmaker of trans experience is grounded in collaborating in the creation of films that highlight and empower the narratives of historically erased identities.

Interviews

Photos (Click on Photo to View)

Awards

2019 Ostrovsky Family Fund Award in honor of Chantal Akerman
2020 Danielle and Larry Nyman Family Project Awards
2020 Cityvision Film Festival – Special Judges Award
2021 AluCine Latin Film + Media Arts Festival – Best Documentary
2021 Leeds International Film Festival – Best Queer Short Film
2022 Philadelphia Latino Film Festival – LOLA Award Honorable Mention
2022 Queer Space Film Festival (Argentina) – Audience Award Best Doc


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