**Hermes Paralluelo** was born in Barcelona, Spain, in 1981. He graduated as a cinematographer in 2004 from the Centre of Cinematographic Studies of Catalonia, where he directed the short film *Vera* (2004). In 2006 he moved to Argentina and coordinated a documentary film workshop in Tilcara, where he made the medium length documentary *Pan de azúcar* (2007), selected at festivals including Documenta Madrid and Valdivia.
Later in 2007 he settled in Córdoba and began working as a director at Cine El Calefón, where he developed his first feature film *Yatasto*. The project won Best Work in Progress at Buenos Aires Lab in 2010 and was completed in 2011. *Yatasto* received multiple awards, including the Silver Biznaga at the Málaga Film Festival, Best Film at FICUNAM in Mexico, Best Argentine Film, the UNICEF Award and a FEISAL Special Mention at BAFICI, a Special Jury Mention at FIDMarseille, and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Viennale International Film Festival.
His second feature documentary, *Not All Is Vigil* (2016), was widely recognised internationally. The film won Best Documentary at the Bratislava International Film Festival, the Signis Award at the Mar del Plata International Film Festival, a Special Mention at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Best Iberoamerican Film at the Uruguay International Film Festival, and Best Film at the Cosquín Independent International Film Festival. It was also selected for major festivals including San Sebastian in the Nuev@s Director@s section, Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival, and festivals in Florence and Rio de Janeiro.
Paralluelo’s work is characterised by a rigorous observational approach and a rejection of easy sentimentality. Reflecting on *Not All Is Vigil*, he has described his grandparents Antonio and Felisa as inseparable figures, bound by a connection so strong that absence becomes as present as physical proximity.
