Private Project

American Alien

American Alien is an observational film chronicling the journey of the filmmaker to become an American citizen. Fearing that he will be targeted by the aggressive deportation campaign of the Trump administration and be separated from his loved ones, the filmmaker attempts to go through the process of naturalization, hitting one roadblock after another. With the added obstacle of a worldwide pandemic, can he reach his goal in time and gain a sense of security for himself and the people he loves?

  • Jay Encina
    Director
  • Stacey Woelfel
    Producer
  • Robert Greene
    Producer
    Actress, Bisbee 17
  • Jay Encina
    Cinematographer
  • Madi Baughman
    Cinematographer
  • Edward Frumkin
    Cinematographer
  • Jay Encina
    Cast
  • Alex Knutson-Encina
    Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Social Issues
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 30, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    1,300 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Stronger Than Fiction Film Festival
    Columbia
    United States
    May 10, 2021
Director Biography - Jay Encina

Jay Encina is a filmmaker, journalist, and video editor. Born in Manila, Philippines, he moved to Columbia, Missouri, USA in 2006. He will be graduating from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a minor in Sociology. After he graduates, Encina hopes to continue making socially engaging documentary films and become a post-production video editor. Although Encina has made lyric videos and directed YouTube shows for local bands around Columbia, American Alien is his documentary directing debut. He hopes that the film will open the eyes of audience members regarding the bureaucracy immigrants face to become a United States citizen.

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