Displaced But Not Defeated

Directed by María Ceballos Paz (Colombia), Mentored by Susan Hoenig

María Ceballos Paz, a 16-year-old Colombian girl, has been living in displacement for the past nine years as a result of Colombia’s civil war. Decades of fighting between the army, paramilitary, guerrilla groups and drug cartels has forced approximately 4 million Colombians from their homes, creating the largest internally displaced population in the world.

After her father was killed by guerrillas, María and her family fled their farm. Now living in the slums of Cali, María shows us her family, friends and community as they rebuild their lives.

María directed, filmed and narrated this award-winning documentary that puts a human face on the statistics of displacement. Her story is like those of millions of people facing similar upheaval, not only in Colombia, but in other war-torn countries around the world.

Susan Hoenig is María’s BYkids Film Mentor. Among Hollywood’s top TV producers, Susan has produced shows for Discovery, National Geographic, Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS. She received an Emmy nomination for Undercover Boss.

Read about Susan’s time in Colombia with María in her Notes from the Field.

Awards for Displaced But Not Defeated

Featured in a book about Displacement by Malala

Featured in a book about Displacement by Malala

Won the Youth Visions at the San Diego Latin Film Festiva

Won the Youth Visions at the San Diego Latin Film Festiva

Selected as closing night at the Corto Circuito Film Festival

Selected as closing night at the Corto Circuito Film Festival

More about the Filmmaker

"16-year-old María Ceballos Paz is one of millions of Colombians displaced from their homes due to fighting among national and guerrilla forces. María reveals how her family and community endure displacement by keeping a sense of hope."

— María Ceballos Paz, Filmmaker

MENTOR: Susan Hoenig

Screening Schedule

Sep 1
2017

Malala Fund in

Displaced But Not Defeated

Maria (the filmmaker) spent the day with Malala.

(Mexico City)
Oct 14
2013

MY HERO Film Festival

Displaced But Not Defeated

First Place, High School/Student Mentor

(Los Angeles, CA)
Aug 21
2014

HollyShorts Film Festival

Displaced But Not Defeated
(Los Angeles, CA)
Oct 12
2013

Corto Circuito Film Festival

Displaced But Not Defeated

Closing Night

(New York, NY)
Jun 11
2016

Global Girls Festival

Displaced But Not Defeated
(Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, Chicago)