-

THEYDREAM

See All Events

Synopsis

After 20 years of chronicling his Puerto Rican family, a director and his mother face devastating losses. Through tears and laughter, they craft animations that bring their loved ones back to life, discovering that every act of creation is also an act of letting go.

Filmmaker Biography

William D. Caballero is an American filmmaker whose work merges documentary, animation, and handcrafted miniature worlds to explore memory, migration, faith, and the emotional architecture of family. Across film, television, and short-form media, Caballero has developed a singular visual language rooted in tactile set-building, intergenerational storytelling, and a deep reverence for his Puerto Rican heritage.

In 2001, he was awarded the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship, recognizing his academic promise and leadership at an early stage in his career. He went on to earn a BFA from Pratt Institute in 2006 and an MA from New York University in 2008. This foundation in both fine art and cinematic storytelling laid the groundwork for a practice that bridges visual art, documentary realism, and experimental fabrication. While at NYU, Caballero created American Dreams Deferred, his first (but not last) autobiographical feature about his family.

Caballero first gained widespread recognition in 2015 as the creator of the HBO series Gran'Pa Knows Best, which premiered on HBO and ran for two seasons. Centered on 3D-printed miniature recreations of his Puerto Rican grandfather, the series combined playful scale with emotional depth, redefining what personal storytelling could look like on television. Its inventive approach to memory and intergenerational dialogue positioned Caballero as a bold new voice in hybrid nonfiction storytelling.

He later brought that sensibility to the big screen with his short film VICTOR AND ISOLINA, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017. The film further established his intimate, handcrafted approach to documentary. In 2022, he returned to Sundance with CHILLY & MILLY, continuing to refine his signature blend of humor, tenderness, and cultural specificity.

Schedule

To reserve tickets, please connect with the Screening Partner closest to you.