Emileigh Potter may only be seventeen years old, but with her documentary “The DREAMer” she is already on her way to a promising filmmaking career. “The DREAMer,” a documentary just under fifteen minutes, chronicles the events of Benny Veliz. Veliz, a San Antonio teenager, lives undocumented and illegally within the United States. Potter’s documentary gives an in-depth look into the struggles she faces.
The film was originally created as part of Project VoiceScape which is a partnership with Adobe Youth Voices, PBS and POV that partners professional mentors with young documentary filmmakers across the country. Potter, one of eleven finalists, earned the project’s Most Inspiring Documentary Award along with a two thousand cash prize and mentorship from Jeremy Levine.
The documentary has continued to have success and gained notoriety for Potter. “The DREAMer” has recently been awarded best documentary in the Urban-15 2012 Josia Media Festival (JMF) and has a good chance of winning the entire festival when results are announced July 14th. Along with the other young finalists in the JMF who had to be born in or after 1990, Potter and her colleagues represent not only a thriving film scene in San Antonio but reflect a developing and passionate media culture that extends to teenagers and youth across our city.
–Donald Dimick
Rivard Report video editor & Trinity University student, Class of ’13.
Knowing Benita Beliz has been an honor. She witnessed my first flight to D.C. and as scared as I was of traveling and flying, she was always there to keep myself together.
I am so proud of you and know that you have inspired many of us DREAMers and it is only just that your story gets told through the eyes of the youth. You will always be a part of the beginning of our movement and will continue to be a leader for all of our community.
Te quiero mucho Benny.