Home Is Somewhere Else, directed by Carlos Hagerman and Jorge Villalobos and produced in association with Shine Global, is the recipient of a grant from The International Documentary Association (IDA) through its Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund funding documentaries on the theme, “Challenging White Supremacy.”

Home is Somewhere Else is a fully animated documentary providing a window into the hearts and minds of young Dreamers and their undocumented families. The film features three personal stories about immigrant youth to highlight the complexities and challenges they face today. Voiced by the actual children and their families, the stories are woven together by spoken word poet Lalo “El Deportee,” the film’s host and MC whose vibrant “Spanglish” breaks codes, switches standards, and pushes the viewer to decipher his poems. Each story has its own unique visual animation style drawn by three different teams. The animation allows us to truly see and feel these characters’ worst nightmares, alongside their colorful hopes and dreams for a better future.

Five documentary projects, including Home is Somewhere Else, will each receive grants of at least $20,000 through IDA’s Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund. The Fund, established in 2011 with support from The New York Community Trust, honors the legacy of legendary American documentary filmmaker Pare Lorentz. Each year the fund focuses on important social issues, which was a hallmark of Pare Lorentz’s films.

“These five documentary films offer crucial perspectives about what it means to challenge white supremacy and the many ways in which systemic racism affects our lives. We are honored to support these films and filmmakers,” said Poh Si Teng, director of IDA Funds and the Enterprise Program.

The film is also currently raising funds through Kickstarter until November 19th, 2021 and pledges of support are welcome.