Amazon Studios has acquired filmmaker Matthew Heineman’s The Boy from Medellín, an in-depth look into the life of Colombian-born superstar J Balvin. The documentary will world premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.

The Boy from Medellín gives us unprecedented access to international superstar J Balvin in the lead-up to the biggest concert of his life – a sold-out performance in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia. This deeply immersive and character-driven film, which was made with an international crew in Colombia and New York, provides a look into the most pivotal and emotionally charged moment of one of the world’s biggest stars.

“Representing my country, my city and Latin culture globally is a lifelong pursuit and I’m so proud to be a son of Medellín,” said Balvin. “I’m honored to be able to tell my story in this beautiful way and working with Matthew on this project was an incredible experience. Thank you to Amazon for making sure this story can be seen around the world.”

Added Matthew Heineman, “I am excited to partner with Amazon in bringing Jose’s powerful personal story to a global audience. While J Balvin is the undeniably talented musical icon behind some of the world’s most popular songs, Jose’s strength and openness in talking about his struggles with mental health drew me to make the film. I was honored that Jose gave us extremely intimate access to this important moment in his life, and the result is a universal story about a man trying to reckon with his place in this world that I hope will resonate with fans and new audiences alike.”