Writer and director Melissa Fisher joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about her Oscar-qualifying short film, Buscando Alma. The short follows a Honduran immigrant who is given the chance to meet her mother after nearly two decades of separation. As she grapples with the uncertainty of their reunion, she is confronted by tumultuous memories of her past.
What inspired you to tell a story about reconnecting lost family members due to immigration issues?
The inspiration for Buscando Alma came from a podcast called “The Birth Dream” by Andy Marra, who reconnected with her family after decades apart, as her authentically gendered self. Her story was poetic and poignant – and it stuck with me like glue. I deeply connected with her journey towards reunification and acceptance. When developing these themes with my co-writer Mair Flores, the U.S. was using family separation at the border as a deterrent, an immoral policy that made us sick. The emotional and long-term impact on families is devastating, and we felt compelled to humanize that struggle. The more research we did, the clearer it became how dangerous and traumatic the migrant journey is, especially for parents risking everything for their child’s safety. We wanted to bring empathy and compassion to this story, which was fueled by my own experiences—from volunteering at a Tijuana orphanage in high school to working in migrant shelters with the Refugee Health Alliance.
What was the casting process like and how was it working with the actors? How important was it for you to cast a Trans actress?
We were so thrilled when the wonderful and talented casting director Alan Luna joined our team. I knew his work from Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, and he’s a strong advocate for both the Latinx and LGBTQIA+ communities. My intention in casting Cristina was always to have a trans actress play the role. Alan brought us an incredible group of candidates. The talent within the trans community is remarkable, and made for a tough decision with so many amazing auditions. (HIRE TRANS TALENT!)
How did Carolina Gutierrez’s performance elevate her character’s emotional journey?
Carolina’s self-tape and in-person callback were raw with emotion. I knew she was drawing from something deeply personal, and I could see right away she’d bring Cristina to life in a way no one else could. As a transgender immigrant herself, she brought a beautiful authenticity and honesty to the role that took the performance to a level beyond what I ever imagined. This movie wouldn’t be the same without her.
What challenges did you face during the filming process?
One of my biggest challenges was balancing the making of a self-funded passion project with the ongoing strikes in Hollywood. I had to rely on friends working for free and carried the emotional weight of making sure everyone felt supported, all while pouring my own life savings into the project. Movies at this level often come together from the enthusiasm of those around you showing up in support – it takes a village, and thankfully we had a great one! On a personal level, I also wrestled with the feeling that, as a cisgender white woman, this might not be my story to tell. But my goal is to uplift and shine a giant light on these communities, to bring people together, and to trust and rely on those around me from these communities to help tell this story in the most beautifully compassionate and authentic way.
How did you balance the emotional journey with the broader cultural context of the story?
As an artist I’m learning that the more personal you make a story, the more universally it resonates. This project has been a labor of love, diving deep into themes of shame, guilt, and the longing for family – all areas of my life I’ve been working on as of late. Drawing from Mair (my co-writer) and Carolina (our lead actress’) lived experience was essential in keeping this story grounded and truthful.
What do you hope audiences will take away from this story?
Through Buscando Alma, I want audiences to see that film is more than entertainment—it’s a way to connect people from all walks of life and foster empathy. My intention was to tell a story of compassion, healing, and acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ and Latinx communities. Hollywood often shows trans lives through a lens of trauma and discrimination, and while those struggles are real, we wanted to focus on a trans woman thriving in her life and relationships. It’s time we normalize these experiences and focus on their humanity. Similarly, the story highlights the sacrifices immigrant parents make for their children—people seeking safety, dignity, and belonging.
What’s up next for Buscando Alma and your personal career?
We’re thrilled to be Oscar Qualified and hope our short film reaches a wide audience. We are also working on turning Buscando Alma into a feature film. The goal is to move from a (self-financed) indie budget to financial backing from a studio or financier who is dedicated to sharing this story on a larger platform. Personally, I’m most passionate about films with social justice themes – ones that ask audiences to experience the life, struggles, and celebrations of another culture, cause, or person—those are the stories that inspire me to keep creating. It’s not just about what I can achieve, but how I can use filmmaking to contribute to something bigger and make a real impact.