See it on VOCES SHORTS!
Premiering June 17th on PBS.org
My Name Is Annabel
Meet Annabel Hernandez, a born performer with Down syndrome, as she shares her story in this documentary short.
Annabel
Annabel Hernandez (30) is no stranger to a stage. She’s a natural born performer. "I don't get nervous", she says. "More like... Confidence." It radiates on her face.
Annabel lives in Wichita with her parents and younger brother. She works part-time at her grandparents' Mexican restaurant. "Mexico is in my blood", she'll have you know. Her interests include music, dance, sign language and sharing these with her followers on TikTok. TikTok also serves as a platform for her to gather support for organizations that serve people with Down syndrome, like her.
VOCES SHORTS Spotlights the Next Wave of Latino Storytelling
with Five New Films Premiering June 2026
Celebrating the Work of Emerging Latino Filmmakers from across the US, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, the new season brings bold, personal stories to PBS.org and YouTube Premiering June 2026
(Los Angeles, CA/May, 19. 2026) – Latino Public Broadcasting today announced the lineup for the new season of VOCES SHORTS, premiering online on PBS.org and PBS’s YouTube Channels in June 2026. This collection introduces the next wave of Latino storytelling through five compelling films from rising filmmakers, spanning genres and geographies, from the U.S. to Mexico to Puerto Rico, and capturing stories that are personal, urgent, and culturally resonant. Together, these films reflect a new generation of Latino storytellers redefining the narrative and expanding what Latino stories can look like on screen. The series kicks off with My Queerceañera: Coming of Age at 50, the story of a middle-aged transgender woman determined to have the fabulous quinceañera of her teenage dreams. Also featured in the series is Juana Pelos, a clever comedy about a young girl dealing with a scourge of puberty — unwanted body hair — while My Name Is Annabel is a portrait of a remarkable young performer with Down syndrome. Farmers Of The Sea explores how climate change is affecting Puerto Rican fishermen and Sangre Violenta, Sangre Violeta takes viewers to the streets of Mexico where women are fighting back against the deadly epidemic of gender violence.
“Our mission with VOCES SHORTS is to create a space for this talented next generation of Latino storytellers,” said Sandie Viquez Pedlow, Executive Director of Latino Public Broadcasting. “These five films are wonderfully diverse, from powerful documentaries to light comedy, and we look forward to sharing them with our audiences on PBS.org and YouTube.”
Watch the Trailer
Annabel Hernandez, a born performer with Down syndrome, gets a chance to tell her story from her perspective. This short film is an experiment in how the documentary genre can better, and more authentically, represent individuals who have intellectual disabilities as well as the diversity and vibrancy of a community that is often overlooked. We prioritized Annabel’s agency and leadership in determining the direction of the film as she shares her story her way and asks her friends and family the questions she’s most curious about - How do you feel about adults with Down syndrome? How do you feel about me having Down syndrome?
Through filmmaker / participant collaboration we explore Annabel’s creativity and potential, co-writing a cinematic finale scene, that better reflects who she is and how she sees herself - a dynamic performer who loves music and a member of a vibrant and diverse community.
In the News - Click below to read full article.
We are grateful for the generous support of the following organizations.
This program is produced by Amity Productions for a presentation of LPB. This film is produced in association with the Center for Independent Documentary, Admiration Films, and Mama.film. Partial funding for this program is provided by Humanities Kansas, a nonprofit cultural organization connecting communities with history, traditions, and ideas to strengthen civic life. Web design provided by Lifeboat Creative with photography by Gavin Peters. Poster photo credit by Nathifa Love.