For more than a decade, Dante Hillmedo has spent his career behind the camera.<\/p>\n
The Bronx-born filmmaker and entrepreneur has captured moments involving some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Jay-Z, Drake, DJ Khaled, Michael Rubin, Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby, and countless others through his work as a videographer and owner of Team Elite Productions.<\/p>\n
Now, after years of helping tell other people\u2019s stories, Hillmedo is telling one of his own.<\/p>\n
His feature film Butterfly<\/em> recently earned Best Feature Film honors at the Big Apple Film Festival before securing worldwide distribution and becoming available across major digital platforms.<\/p>\n The coming-of-age drama follows Jericha, a Bronx teenager navigating bullying, family struggles, and the pressures of adolescence while discovering an outlet through dance. While the film incorporates elements of urban dance dramas that helped inspire Hillmedo as a filmmaker, Butterfly<\/em> takes a more grounded approach to its storytelling.<\/p>\n \u201cI made Butterfly because I love urban dance drama films and there hasn\u2019t been many in a while since films like You Got Served<\/em>, Step Up<\/em>, and Honey<\/em>,\u201d Hillmedo explained. \u201cI wanted to create something that felt more real. Those films often build toward a big victory moment, but in real life the work doesn\u2019t stop there. Life continues after the applause.\u201d<\/p>\n The road to completing the film was not easy.<\/p>\n After early crowdfunding efforts generated only a fraction of the budget needed to complete production, Hillmedo made the decision to finance the project himself. Using personal savings and support from his parents, he pushed forward with production, eventually writing, directing, producing, shooting, editing, and even composing the score for the film himself.<\/p>\n \u201cI self-funded Butterfly because I wasn\u2019t able to secure the investment needed to bring the vision to life,\u201d Hillmedo said. \u201cCrowdfunding only generated a small portion of what was needed, so I bet on myself. Through my savings and support from my mother and father, I was able to finish the film.\u201d<\/p>\n Production began in 2024 and continued through additional photography and post-production work into 2025 before the film was ultimately completed after nearly two years of work.<\/p>\n The film also features actress and television personality Tahiry Jose, actress, recording artist, and entrepreneur Lea Robinson, and comedian and social media personality Trabass among its cast.<\/p>\n For Hillmedo, one of the most meaningful moments of the journey came when Butterfly<\/em> captured the Best Feature Film award at the Big Apple Film Festival.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve spent years behind the camera capturing major events and working around some of the biggest names in entertainment, but winning Best Feature Film at the Big Apple Film Festival was different,\u201d Hillmedo said. \u201cCompeting against films connected to legendary directors and Academy Award-winning actors and coming away with that recognition was a major milestone. It\u2019s one of the accomplishments I\u2019m most grateful for.\u201d<\/p>\n While Butterfly<\/em> centers on the fictional story of its lead character, Hillmedo says the film\u2019s setting was deeply personal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bronx story in Butterfly is important because that\u2019s where I was born and raised,\u201d he said. \u201cAlthough the story is about Jericha, there are definitely pieces of my own experiences woven into the film. I think that\u2019s what makes it relatable to so many people.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the awards and recognition, Hillmedo hopes audiences leave with something more meaningful.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people watch Butterfly, I want them to understand that your passion can pull you through some of the darkest moments in life,\u201d he said. \u201cEven when things feel overwhelming, continue doing the things you love. You never know what opportunities or miracles can come from simply pursuing what brings you joy.\u201d<\/p>\n Butterfly<\/em> is available now on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies & TV, Google Play, and Fandango at Home.<\/p>\n For more information and where-to-watch links, visit OfficialButterflyFilm.com<\/a>.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thesource.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-2-30-600x600.jpg\")
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Watch the official trailer now:<\/p>\n