Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World

  • 2024
  • 23m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
328
YOUR RATING
Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World (2024)
In the heartwarming short documentary, "Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World", we are introduced to a remarkable young girl whose spirit and determination defy all expectations. Makayla, a black teenage girl, has spent her life grappling with a rare form of autism that rendered her essentially nonverbal.
Play trailer1:02
1 Video
6 Photos
DocumentaryShort

A teen with autism unlocks a joyous world of self-expression as she shares her voice for the first time using a letter board in this short documentary.A teen with autism unlocks a joyous world of self-expression as she shares her voice for the first time using a letter board in this short documentary.A teen with autism unlocks a joyous world of self-expression as she shares her voice for the first time using a letter board in this short documentary.

  • Director
    • Julio Palacio
  • Writers
    • Makayla Cain
    • Julio Palacio
  • Star
    • Portia Cue
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    328
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Julio Palacio
    • Writers
      • Makayla Cain
      • Julio Palacio
    • Star
      • Portia Cue
    • 6User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Teaser
    Trailer 1:02
    Official Teaser

    Photos5

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast1

    Edit
    Portia Cue
    Portia Cue
    • VO Artist
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Julio Palacio
    • Writers
      • Makayla Cain
      • Julio Palacio
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews6

    7.1328
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    10mina_mei

    Wow just wow, phenomenal!

    This short film is so moving. The perseverance of her father and the production of the seen but hidden scenes of Makayla's daily life, actions and sounds she makes are a mirror for so many. This a must see film for everyone to understand and realize how non verbal and most Autistic children probably feel. My daughter 16 year old non verbal autistic person and Makayla sound, move and wear those ugly shoes the same. Thank you Needlez for sharing and giving us hope. I applaud you and your family! I'll be looking forward to visiting your lovely wife's boutique once I visit Atlanta. Kudos and well done.
    1julian-popov

    Hope or Exploitation?

    While "Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World" is emotionally moving, I can't help but question the legitimacy of the communication method depicted. Facilitated communication (FC) is widely discredited, and I worry the supposed teacher may unintentionally or intentionally influence Makayla's "voice." This raises ethical concerns about exploiting the family's hope and presenting a narrative that lacks scientific backing. While I appreciate the attempt to shed light on the challenges of non-verbal autism, the film risks perpetuating false hope rather than advocating for evidence-based communication methods.
    10monarchbda

    Makayla is an artist in her own right!

    I was literally in tears the entire time. This documentary was magnificently designed. The visuals mixed with the sultry sound of Portia Cue's voice.

    Makayla's writings were so poetic and awe inspiring. I am so grateful to have been able to witness this film. Kudos to her parents and Ms. Roxy for enabling Makayla to find her outlet. The world definitely needs to see this documentary. I have shared my enthusiasm over this film with a life-long friend who has two children with a similar condition as Makayla.

    Hoping for Makayla and her Daddio to do a musical collaboration in the near future. I truly appreciate her well articulated views on her life and the world.
    10sallyafrost

    A beautiful documentary

    An amazing documentary into the experience of a non verbal autistic women. She bravely tells of her experience and introduces the world to who she is. It is an inspirational and educational watch, giving hope and sending a powerful message about those living with non verbal autism. She shows how interesting, smart and funny she is throughout the film.

    The film is a short and hopeful film and shares letters she has written to her family and the world.

    I would strongly recommend watching and can't wait for it to get the audience it deserves.

    Well done and thank you to Makayla for sharing her story.
    10brownr-80197

    Short, but Beautiful!

    Thank you, God, for letting me see and hear Makayla's voice through her documentary. May it help all of us to see that autism is not ignorance, it just requires the affected to find their way to communicate, while the rest of us learn to be more patient and try to better understand those with a neurodiversity.

    Makayla, I bless you with a rich increase of God's almighty good, in your mind, in your body, and in your spirit.

    Makayla, you fill a place in this world that could be filled by no other. For His reasons alone, you are a gift to be unwrapped, understood and enjoyed.

    Makayla, you are a channel for God's love, intelligence and wisdom.

    God blesses us always. Thank you, God.

    More like this

    The Only Girl in the Orchestra
    6.6
    The Only Girl in the Orchestra
    A Swim Lesson
    6.6
    A Swim Lesson
    Incident
    7.6
    Incident
    Planetwalker
    6.6
    Planetwalker
    A Lien
    7.1
    A Lien
    Au Revoir Mon Monde
    6.6
    Au Revoir Mon Monde
    Kruste
    6.4
    Kruste
    Anuja
    6.6
    Anuja
    Seat 31: Zooey Zephyr
    6.2
    Seat 31: Zooey Zephyr
    Origami
    6.4
    Origami
    Instruments of a Beating Heart
    7.0
    Instruments of a Beating Heart
    I am Ready, Warden
    6.7
    I am Ready, Warden

    Storyline

    Edit

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 11, 2024 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Trailer
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Makayla'nın Dünyası: Harflerin Dili
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $60,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 23m
    • Color
      • Color

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.