Alex's Butterflies is a short film for children affected by deportation. Currently, no media exists for children to process this horror, and platforms that would normally discuss this such as PBS or Sesame Street are dealing with major funding cuts.

At its core, this is a story about family, love, anxiety, and the looming threat of separation. It explores questions that no child should have to ask:

What is ICE?

Why are they taking moms and dads?

What if they take me too?

Is this my fault?

With a child-like and nostalgic atmosphere, Alex’s Butterflies uses puppetry to take us through the life of a tiny bunny waiting for the school bus. Like many children, Alex feels anxiety in the morning about going to school, but he doesn’t know how to articulate it. In the style of Sesame Street, mommy helps him navigate his complicated feelings by scaring the butterflies in his stomach away.

Starring Sesame Street star Andrew Cano

Written and Directed by Oscar-qualifying Director Jess Senquiz, and Disney Concept Artist Beth Leak