Student Case Study: Eli DeArmas

Youth Activist Makes Short F.I.L.M. for
Positive Impact Using Filmmaking For Good

Eli DeArmas // Student // Filmmaking For Good: “Being part of the Filmmaking For Good program was such an amazing experience. I learned so much from the program and I am so beyond excited to have won first place. Thank you all for believing in me and want to help me spread my story through film.” 

WATCH WINNING VIDEO HERE:

Hello! My name is Elijah DeArmas and I am 16 years old. I am in the 10th grade and attend Robert Morgan Educational Center for the magnet digital media and film program. I was born at 23 weeks and weighed one pound, 6 ounces. Because I was born so early, I have cerebral palsy. Doctors gave me a 1% chance to live and if I did I would probably never walk. Boy did I prove them wrong. My parents always told me I could be anything I put my mind to and I did just that. I have modeled in runway shows, played baseball, ran in marathons, triathlons, and 5K’s and now I am a filmmaker. I want to show the world that anything is possible and to never give up on their dreams. Life may throw obstacles at you, but just keep moving forward. Filmmaking is my passion and I hope to one day make it to Hollywood. 


Jessica Kizorek // Creator // Filmmaking For Good: “We could not have been more impressed or proud by the short film Eli DeArmas was able to produce by taking the Filmmaking For Good course.Most of his competitors for this semester’s prize were groups of college students working together in teams to make a video. Eli was not only much younger (16 years old), but he also produced, shot, and edited the entire thing all by himself without teammates. Gooooo, Eli, the 1st place winner for Spring 2022!”

To learn more about our Filmmaking For Good curriculum, click the link below!