By Jane Fitzgerald

The award-winning short film The Mourning Of has officially qualified for the 2026 Academy Awards®, marking a milestone in its remarkable journey through international film festivals.

Written and directed by Mexican-American filmmaker Merced Elizondo, The Mourning Of tells the story of Maribel, a young woman mourning the tragic loss of her mother in an unusual way, by secretly attending the funerals of strangers. As she searches for solace through the grief of others, her fragile coping mechanism unravels, forcing her to confront the weight of absence, memory, and reconciliation. The film is both a meditation on the unspoken rituals of grief and a study of how families carry pain across generations. With restrained yet deeply emotional storytelling, The Mourning Of illuminates the resilience and fragility of family bonds, and the enduring power of memory to sustain love.

With a deeply personal voice and perspective, The Mourning Of also stands out as a rare Oscar®-qualifying short that is both Latino-led and independently produced in the United States, made entirely in Texas, by and with members of the Latino community. At a time when Latino representation remains disproportionately low in major awards campaigns, the film’s ascent into Oscar® consideration represents a significant and inspiring milestone. It’s a story rooted in cultural specificity but resonant with anyone who has ever experienced loss, memory, or the unspoken complexities of family.

Since its premiere, The Mourning Of has garnered wide acclaim, screening at major festivals around the world. In 2025, it was selected by the Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara (FICG), Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), Dallas International Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, El Paso Film Festival, Cine Latino Film Festival, and Cine de Muertos Film Festival, as well as being shortlisted for the prestigious Young Director Award at Cannes Lions. Previous recognition includes its Best Live Action Short win at the 2024 St. Louis International Film Festival, alongside official selections at the GuadaLAjara Film Festival (GLAFF), NVISION Latino Film & Music Festival, Tacoma Film Festival, Portland Film Festival, and NewFilmmakers Los Angeles.

Merced Elizondo is a Mexican-American filmmaker based in Texas whose work focuses on intimate, character-driven narratives. He is a Ryan Murphy Half Initiative Directing Fellow and recipient of the NewNarratives Filmmaker Grant through NewFilmmakers LA and Warner Bros. Discovery. His previous film, Manos de Oro, screened at Oscar®-qualifying festivals including HollyShorts, LA Shorts International, and LALIFF, and won Best Short Film at Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today.

The Mourning Of stars Natalia Villegas and Julio César Cedillo (Sicario, Narcos: Mexico, Cowboys & Aliens), with cinematography by Matheus Bastos, music by René G. Boscio, sound design by Javier Umpierrez, production design by Jonathan Rudak, and editing by Jonathan Cuartas. The film was produced by Helena Sardinha, Rafael Thomaseto, Alan Hodge, and Merced Elizondo, with executive producers Liz Cardenas and Andrea Marquez.

A poignant meditation on grief and healing, The Mourning Of is a masterclass in quiet storytelling, with emotional depth, cultural richness, and a voice that demands to be heard.