Help fund post-production for Paralympic judo documentary

Unseen Determination: An Athlete's Journey

A documentary about a Paralympic blind judo athlete enters post-production.

Fighting above her weight class and grappling with a torn knee ligament, 45-year-old judo athlete, Christella Garcia, battles for a medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics while challenging social attitudes about people—and athletes—with disabilities. She’s a 3-time Paralympian and winner of two bronze medals. She’s also 45 years old, Latina, and totally blind. And, she’s an elite athlete in a fighting sport, one of the best in the world. Christella is now preparing, mentally and physically, for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. She wants one last shot at the gold medal.

Christella is a world-class athlete and we explore her athleticism—from her straining muscles as she trains in the gym—to her home life with her blind partner, a former Paralympic medalist in goal-ball. This film is also more than a sports story — it's a deeply personal journey that explores social ideas about disabilities, Latinx identity, and the unbreakable will of a woman who refuses to be sidelined. As a blind athlete and a proud Chicana, Christella has faced barriers on every level — and broken through them with grace, humor, and grit.

Your contribution will help fund:

Filming and post-production: editing; sound and color design; original music composition; and audio description and captioning to ensure accessibility.

Festival submissions and outreach to get her story seen and heard.

We are seeking $25,000 to fully fund the documentary. Every donation helps bring this powerful narrative closer to audiences around the world.

Join Us

Help us amplify the voice of a woman who’s fought for every inch — on the mat and in life. Her story deserves to be told. With your support, we can make sure it is.

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