The 3D Animated Short Film ‘Chilly & Milly’ Shines Light on Latino Healthcare

Chilly & Milly, the powerful and gripping 3D animated short film by William D. Caballero about love, loss, and the flaws in our healthcare system for many Latinos, is running on the PBS Short Film Festival from July 11-22, presented by Latino Public Broadcasting. Chilly & Milly has already qualified for an Academy Award in 2023! 

Chilly & Milly, which made its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, takes place 11 years after Caballero filmed the documentary American Dreams Deferred. This feature length documentary explores the life of various members of his Puerto Rican-American family during his visits home during his last year of grad school. PRESS HERE to watch!

One prominent storyline includes his father Chilly‘s search for a kidney transplant. Chilly, William’s father, is a diabetic with kidney failure, whose illness detrimentally affects his and his family’s lives. Milly sees her sole purpose in life as a selfless caretaker to her loved ones. While watching the documentary, Chilly and Milly discuss their life together, their successes, and setbacks. When Chilly passes away during the pandemic, Milly comes to terms with her loss. With Chilly’s passing, Milly is tasked with finding a new purpose in life.

Will Cab’s creative mantra is “empower, enlighten, and express,” and it underlies his desire to spread the gift of creativity amongst diverse people, liberating them from the oppression of mainstream tastes and values. Caballero’s video work champions a new reality, where “brown-skinned nerds and LGBT geeks feel empowered to tell their own stories using their own voice,” says a statement on his website.

For more information on Chilly & Milly, head over to the author’s website. The PBS Short Film Festival elevates the reach and visibility of independent filmmakers from across the country. Since its inception in 2012, hundreds of films celebrating love, acceptance, family, strength, equality, friendship, loyalty and more have been presented under the festival’s banner. The 2022 festival features “Stories that Stick” to highlight the impact of powerful storytelling.