In March of 2023, Piedmont University film major alumnus Caleb Rogers released a short documentary-style film titled “Undocumentary,” featuring fellow film major Nahomi Itzel Solorzano Centeno.
The film details the hopes and struggles of an undocumented immigrant living in northeast Georgia, providing insight into a perspective most U.S. Citizens likely have not seen before.
By focusing on the emotion surrounding Solorzano Centeno’s situation rather than the politics, Rogers captures Solorzano Centeno’s determination flawlessly, centering the piece around the inspiration that she brings everywhere she goes rather than the controversy that can infect society’s ability to empathize with those around them.
“I’m not expecting people to watch the documentary and change their minds about immigration and undocumented people; that’s not reality,” said junior Nahomi Itzel Solorzano Centeno. “I want them to become more open to the situation, and next time when they see something related to immigration, they think again of my documentary and understand that not all people crossing the borders are here to do harm.”
In the film, Rogers interviewed Nahomi Itzel Solorzano Centeno and her parents, who provided key information about their experiences raising Nahomi and the sacrifices they made to come to the United States.
Rogers’s documentary was showcased at the Georgia Film Festival on Sep. 16, 2023.
The film was nominated for the Southeast Student Production Awards, also known as the Student Southeast Emmy, in early 2024.
In late February, “Undocumentary” was named a finalist in the Non-Fiction Short Film category. Five other films produced across the southeast were selected as finalists in this category.
Large universities such as SCAD, University of South Carolina, Georgia State University, Auburn University, Furman University and Kennesaw State University typically rule the stage for this award.
“Not only did we make our Piedmont family proud, but I know my family is proud,” said Solorzano Centeno. “It means a lot that my story is being shown to break down the stereotypes of Latinas.”
Winners were announced on March 23, 2024. Although Rogers and Solorzano did not finish in first place, in 2023, “Undocumentary” won a Silver Telly Award and was in the lineup for Best Documentary at the Student World Impact Festival.
“I want to be an example to others who are going through my situation so they can see that if I am making it, so can they,” said Solorzano Centeno. “I want the community to lift each other up, and it was about time I helped lift others up.”
Solorzano Centeno’s commitment to using film as an avenue to showcase social issues while also making her films entertaining is evident as she openly shares her passion for writing scripts and filming content that may be out of her comfort zone.
As her journey is just beginning, Solorzano Centeno is excited to make even more of a difference for Latinas and Hispanics in the film industry.
Watch award-winning, Student Southeast Emmy nominated “Undocumentary” here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXyzLK8fEvw
“If my story is making a difference in someone’s life, then it was all worth it.”
