Alabama coalition of immigration justice

CONTEXT:

Commissioned by the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, A Tale of Two DREAMers is a short documentary telling the story of two young immigrants who traveled from Alabama to Washington D.C. in April 2013 to march for immigration reform and meet with their Senators.

The film was featured in Before We Were Us, We Were Them: Immigration and Alabama, an Auburn University at Montgomery–curated exhibition exploring the state’s immigration history, identity, and belonging.

CREATIVE DIRECTION:

I directed the documentary from concept to final cut, shaping the narrative to highlight the courage, determination, and humanity of the two featured DREAMers.

My work included:

  • Developing the visual and emotional arc of the story to connect with a wide audience

  • Directing interviews and location shoots to authentically capture personal and political moments

  • Shooting all primary footage, including the march and advocacy efforts in Washington D.C.

  • Editing the final film to balance personal storytelling with the broader context of immigration reform in Alabama

  • Collaborating with exhibition curators to ensure the documentary aligned with the exhibit’s tone, themes, and educational goals

  • The result was a moving, visually engaging short film that amplified immigrant voices and deepened public understanding of the ongoing fight for immigration justice in Alabama.