It is nearly impossible to navigate everyday life in America without being able to speak English, especially when it comes to crucial matters like healthcare and finances, and daily tasks like grocery shopping or reading mail. Many first-generation Latinos are dependent on the youngest members of their family to communicate in English. Of adult first-generation Latinos, 23% say they can carry on a conversation in English very well. That number increases with each following generation, leaving the crucial task of translating in the hands of the youngest members of families. 1

“Translators,” will screen during the Tribeca Festival on June 13, after the film made its worldwide debut at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. The documentary short film delivers an emotional, first-person look at the lives of three of these immigrant families and the important role that young translators play in everyday lives of older generations.

Directed by Emmy-award winning filmmaker Rudy Valdez, the documentary short film follows the stories of three immigrant children (Densel – 11, Harye - 13 and Virginia - 16) who are responsible for handling complex adult conversations and helping to make decisions beyond their years. The impactful film highlights the need to provide resources to Hispanic and Latino communities to eliminate barriers for non-English speaking adults and provide support in closing language and opportunity gaps. I was very lucky to produce this film along with our team.