An indie film has just made a huge impact in the movie industry.
Butterfly, the bold debut feature from New York-based director Dante Hillmedo, has officially won Best Feature Film at the 2025 Big Apple Film Festival. This is a huge accomplishment, especially for a first-time filmmaker. Packed with raw emotion and gritty storytelling, Hillmedo’s film brings real-life inspiration to the big screen.
Set in the Bronx, the film follows Jericha, a teenager who is dealing with poverty at home, being bullied at school, and friendships that are being tested. With her immigrant mother working hard a minimum-wage job and no real support system, Jericha turns to dance, the one thing that lets her escape the chaos. But as her world spirals further, she faces a choice: dive deeper into her passion or risk losing herself completely.
Jesenia Pineda leads the cast with a powerful debut as Jericha. Demi Mills plays her loyal but conflicted best friend, while TJ Robinson and Jeremiah Loiseau round out her shifting social circle. Reality TV stars Lea Robinson (First Family of Hip Hop) and Tahiry Jose (Love & Hip Hop: New York) also shine in standout supporting roles.
Written, directed, shot, edited, and produced by Hillmedo himself, Butterfly inspires young adults worldwide to persevere through life’s storms.
“I poured everything into it,” Hillmedo said. “This story is personal… it’s about identity, struggle, and hope.”
A red-carpet screening is set for September 6, 2025, in New York City, where the cast, crew, and community will come together to celebrate one of the most emotionally charged and visually grounded indie films of the year.
Butterfly isn’t just a coming-of-age story, it’s a hard-hitting film that showcases resilience, and the power behind self-expression.
