ALABAMA YOU DON'T SEE
WELCOME TO THE
What you’re about to see wasn’t captured with high-end rigs or perfect sets.
It was created from hallway light, backyard sound, and imagination strong enough to make something out of almost nothing, all from
9–12th grade students in rural high schools across Southeast Alabama.
These top storytellers now step into a fellowship running through May 2026, gaining industry training, real client experience, and thousands in equipment to carry this talent forward across the state.
Nathan Mally
12th Grade | Enterprise High School
"The video tackles the question of 'what the stereotype of an Alabamian is,' and what the differences of it are. It's about how despite the flaws that the state processes, it's not what others on the outside make it out to be, and how if you really visit this state and meet the people here, you'll love it here.
Jada Hardrick
12th Grade | Dothan High School
"This video for 'The Alabama You Don’t See' is a raw and emotional look at mental health - a reminder that sometimes the brightest smiles hide the darkest battles, and that hope can be found even in the shadows when we choose compassion over silence."
Kate Pologruto
& Leia Braden
12th Grade | Dothan High School
"A short documentary-style video on the nature of what Alabama prioritizes vs. what it doesn't, AKA a view of the Alabama you don't see."
Hugo & Jaylin Escalera
11th Grade | Dothan High School
"A Hispanic teenage girl named Bella struggles to find her place in a divided world while also struggling to find self love. Her world feels black and white until she comes across a state named Alabama with a town hidden within named Dothan. We follow her on a journey of self love and acceptance and see the hidden qualities of Alabama."
HONORABLE MENTIONS
These films stood out. Bold ideas, strong execution, and glimpses of voices we hope to hear more from in the future. They may not have advanced into the 2026 fellowship, but they earned their place here.
Gillian Cortes
12th Grade | Enterprise High School
"Sometimes the negatives may weigh more but the positives outshine them without having to say a word. I present Alabama and it’s Sweet silence which showcases some of the struggles Hispanic people have to go through in a short internet based way but then later on shows the good in Alabama without saying a word."
Jackson Parker
9th Grade | Wicksburg High School
"Alabama is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people. This film highlights our art, our history, and how we honor the past while building what’s next. From murals and old buildings to sunsets and countryside, you’ll see the creativity, love, and community that make Alabama home, from helping neighbors to celebrating what makes us unique."
Elijah Dumas & Grayson Roedl
10th Grade | Dothan High School
"All Eyes on Crime: the side with real crime stories and secrets most people never hear about. From small towns to big cities, All Eyes on Crime takes you behind the scenes to see what’s really happening and how people deal with it every day."
Eli Kindig &
Scott Cole
11th Grade | Dothan High School
"After two high schoolers (Tanner and Joey) witness a murder in the foreign state of Alabama, they go to the police expecting redneck stereotypes but are met with immense professionalism and a surprising lack of racism."
Brodie Blount
12th Grade | Dothan High School
"A video on what the non alabamians don't see and what there missing out on. It's also about proving that the redneck, incest narrative is false and that there is so much better things that alabama should be known for."
Maylaylah &
Selena Creech
10th Grade | Dothan High School
"A mock Alabama daily news station broadcasts the Wiregrass Film Exchange on their new prompt: The Alabama You Don't See. Here, we interview people about the good and bad of Alabama. Interviewees will share their thoughts and opinions on the state and how others around the world might perceive it."
See Their Red Carpet Debut
We're building a future in Alabama where filmmaking is as cool as football. Creativity drives culture and opportunity, and these students are proof. The red carpet was a small step with a big meaning - lifting up young talent and writing a new chapter for Alabama creatives.