By: Aman Jalan
Entrepreneurship often comes down to a single question. How much are you willing to bet on yourself?
For Bronx filmmaker and Team Elite Productions founder Dante Hillmedo, that question became very real during the production of his debut feature film, Butterfly.
After spending more than a decade building a career behind the camera and working around some of entertainment’s biggest names, including Jay-Z, Drake, DJ Khaled, Michael Rubin, Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lil Baby, Hillmedo found himself facing a challenge familiar to many entrepreneurs and creatives.
Photo Courtesy: Dante Hillmedo
He had a vision, but not the funding.
Rather than shelving the project, he decided to move forward anyway.
Today, that decision has resulted in an award-winning feature film that earned Best Feature Film honors at the Big Apple Film Festival last year and secured worldwide distribution.
But getting there required significant personal sacrifice.
“I self-funded Butterfly because I wasn’t able to secure the investment needed to bring the vision to life,” Hillmedo said. “Crowdfunding 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.”
The decision carried substantial risk.
Independent feature films are notoriously difficult to finance, and without the support of a major studio or large investor, many projects never make it beyond the script stage.
Hillmedo understood those realities but remained committed to seeing the project through.
Photo Courtesy: Dante Hillmedo
Over the course of nearly two years, he wrote, directed, produced, shot, edited, and composed the score for Butterfly, a coming-of-age drama centered around a Bronx teenager working through bullying, family struggles, and personal growth through dance.
The film’s development process began in early 2024 and continued through production, additional photography, and post-production work before its eventual release.
For Hillmedo, the journey reflected many of the same principles that drive entrepreneurs in other industries. Persistence. Adaptability. And a willingness to continue moving forward even when resources are limited.
“I’ve always believed that if you’re waiting for perfect circumstances, you may never start,” Hillmedo said. “At some point, you have to trust yourself enough to take the risk.”
That risk paid off when Butterfly captured the Spring 2025 Best Feature Film award at the Big Apple Film Festival.
The recognition represented a significant milestone for a creator who spent years helping bring other people’s visions to life before fully pursuing his own.
“I’ve 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,” Hillmedo said. “Competing against films connected to legendary directors and Academy Award-winning actors and coming away with that recognition was a major milestone.”
Beyond the award, Hillmedo views the film as proof that independent creators can accomplish ambitious goals even without traditional industry support.
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and creatives is simple. Start.
“People often focus on what they don’t have,” Hillmedo said. “Sometimes you have to focus on what you do have and build from there. Progress creates opportunities.”
As Butterfly continues reaching audiences worldwide, Hillmedo hopes the story behind the film inspires others to pursue their own goals, even when the path forward isn’t entirely clear.
“When people watch Butterfly, I want them to understand that your passion can pull you through some of the darkest moments in life,” he said. “Even 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.”
Butterfly is available now on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies & TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and more.
For more information and where-to-watch links, visit OfficialButterflyFilm.com. Watch the official Butterfly trailer.
