Mariel Cortés was born in Mexico City. She studied photography at the Active School of Photography and holds a B.A. in Film and Television from CENTRO in Mexico City. She works as a director, photographer and screenwriter. In 2016 she was selected for the Talent Campus of the Guadalajara International Film Festival. Her short film Pastel (2017) was part of the official selection of festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival, HollyShorts, the San Diego Latino Film Festival and the Havana Film Festival, among others. Her most recent short film, Bien parecidas, is currently in post-production.

Mientras duermes — A family is shaken by the mother’s sudden coma. While her husband and children struggle to adapt to the changes caused by her absence, she enters a new dreamlike life visiting uninhabited houses.