Jean Chapiro is an Award Winner Writer/ Director / Filmmaker and Journalist. Born and raised in Mexico City. She graduated from Columbia University with a major in Communication, Cinema Studies, and Visual Studies. Chapiro was nominated for this year’s Student Academy Awards 2023 for her eye-catching short film documentary by the name of “Hasta Encontrarlos” (Till We Find them). Focusing on the attention of missing kids all over the world. In her short film she dedicates to the public nation to stand up and be the voice for these kids, to be the help these families need to be a family again.

About Jean Chapiro

Chapiro’s journey with the film starts off in New York as she comes across a lady by the name of Araceli Salcedo on Women’s Day. Salcedo  was publicly speaking on behalf of her daughter’s story on how she went missing. Chapiro stood there and listened to her as she talked about her story. Salcedo’s speech inspired Chapiro, she loved her empowerment. How outspoken she was and was destined to find her own daughter. Chapiro then waited until she finished to introduce herself to Salcedo. Chapiro said she would do anything and everything in her power to share her story and to give it the attention that it deserves. Salcedo had a collective within her community going on in Orizaba, Mexico after her daughter’s disappearance. She then got to meet the family of Salcedo and the members of her collective. Chapiro always knew she wanted to be a filmmaker but didn’t have an exact idea of what would be a good film.

How Jean Chapiro got her inspiration

So at that moment she knew this would be a great opportunity to direct a documentary that would reach people. To help those families share their stories and to get the justice they deserve. So they gathered up enough information and sources. With the help and support she has received from Muñecos Samadores or “healing dolls”. They have found 15 people alive in the past year. However unfortunately not many of these women have yet found they’re own kids. Chapiro’s documentary won an Oscar at the Student Academy Awards Tuesday October 24. During her ceremony speech she liked to give a special thanks to the Academy for this honor.

Quotes

“Thank you Columbia University and to my professors who believed in me and taught me that i’m capable in telling important stories that need to be heard and deserved to be heard” -Jean Chapiro

“Thank you to my crew… Sergio and the crew back in Mexico that believed in this film and poured all your heart into this film “”Most of all…thank you to you Araceli, thank you for allowing me to tell your story, thank you for your courage, your love and your strength”.  – Jean Chapiro