Mailie Estupinan Medel, 18, is a San Fernando Valley filmmaker using her camera for advocacy. Her short film Unheard Voices — about immigration and the impact of ICE raids on families — has already screened at three film festivals and features interviews with community leaders and a single mother directly affected by policy decisions. She created the film through Girls’ Voices Now and is now working to expand the project with a Part 2 and bring it to even bigger audiences, including policymakers. Right now, Mailie says her biggest inspiration is her parents, whose journey shaped her passion for telling stories that uplift voices too often ignored. Her advice to young creatives? Reach out. Keep going. The no’s turn into yeses.

‍Follow Mailie on Instagram at @mailiee_0406. Click here to watch Unheard Voices.