Ok. this is going to be a bit long but I believe is worth it.
A couple of months ago a read an ad on Facebook, it went something like this: Shoot a film, in 5 minutes or less, Tell your story of NASA’s plans for Mars! Deadline August 31 at 12:00 PM.
Since I was a kid I had two things that fascinated me, space and movie making. I was fascinated by science, rockets and imagined myself becoming the first human to set foot on Mars. I took science and film classes during the summer, I worked hard to keep good grades, I did everything I thought will get me closer to my dream. But at 17 my parents divorced due to my mother’s mental illness, and one day I had no father, no house, no money, a very sick mother, and a small brother and sister that were looking up to me.
For years we lived with friends, and relatives, and after a long list of mistakes, I reached bottom. I was homeless and broken. But God, the Universe, call it whatever you want, put people in my path that were able to see who could I become. I met the most beautiful human being, my wife, who showed me and taught me how to dream again. We came to this country 20 years ago, and now we have 3 amazing kids. I’ll take them to every rocket launch (even if they have to miss school).
So, after reading the ad I decided that I was going to make a movie, and I did, and thanks to the most amazing group of friends and family that believed in me, we made such and amazing movie, that it WON an special award as the most inspiring film, and 2nd place overall.
I was already in shock and completely overwhelmed when I got a call from NASA, yes NASA, They wanted to let me know that they were going to fly my wife and I to Washington D.C. for a special award Gala at the National Geographic Headquarters, to receive the award and meet the main judge of the competition, GARETH EDWARDS Director of Rogue One, A Star Wars Story, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and Ellen Stofan director of the National Air and Space Museum. Yes this actually happened.
Thanks so much to everyone that helped make this possible.
A lifetime of gratitude to my wife and children for their unconditional support.
You, are the greatest adventure of my life.
Film Stock by: FilmConvert