Experiencing Interruptions?

Blind Angels: Durham, North Carolina

In Durham, North Carolina, a vibrant and diverse queer chosen family has formed around José Romero, a charismatic organizer who is living with HIV. Together, in a place with unique and daunting challenges, José and their friends are modeling grassroots change, working together to create a community of love, activism, and mutual support. “Sunflowers turn to each other when they can’t find the sun,” Romero says, describing their mission. “That’s the kind of work I want to do: finding the light, even when it seems impossible.”

  • Otto Bell
    Executive Producer
  • Umbreen Butt
    Director
  • Kim Boortz
    Co-Executive Producer
  • Andrea Porzio
    Co-Executive Producer
  • Paul Sundue
    Creative Director
  • Bennett Madison
    Story Producer
  • Fenix Ramos
    Researcher
  • Jessica Gleason
    Head of Production
  • Sara Intrator
    Producer
  • Kate LaBrecque
    Project Manager
  • Stephen Vocaturo
    Project Manager
  • Shlomo Godder
    Director of Photography
  • Jonathon Alvarez
    Gaffer
  • Piper Kessler
    Production Sound Mixer
  • Neal Gettinger
    Production Sound Mixer
  • Jonathan Alvarez
    Camera Assitant
  • Aaron Kelly
    Swing
  • Catherine Rierson
    Field Producer
  • Jessica De La Rosa
    Production Manager
  • Shontá Rogers
    Production Coordinator
  • Aaron Kelly
    Production Assistant
  • Devine Utley
    Production Assistant
  • Daniel Duclos
    Post-Production Supervisor
  • Margot Roth
    Editor
  • John O'Hara
    Editor
  • Dak Stiga
    Associate Editor
  • Sanja Blau
    Colorist
  • TJ Dumser
    Post-Production Sound Mixer
  • Marites Algones
    Associate Art Director
  • Andrea Torres
    Designer
  • Ed Chow
    VFX and Motion Graphics Designer
  • LHI
    COVID Compliance Services
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    LGBTQ+, Social Issue, Health
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 10, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    125,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital Alexa Mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Umbreen Butt

Umbreen Butt is an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker with a background in HIV/AIDS advocacy. Her non-fiction work focuses on health storytelling, the body and identity.

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Director Statement

The HIV epidemic is not over. Despite major advances in medicine and education, the disease continues to affect tens of thousands of Americans–and its impact is felt disproportionately in the American South, especially among communities of color. But all over the South, ordinary people are finding extraordinary ways to fight back. Blind Angels honors these grassroots activists.