ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Film Festival (FFF) is underway, now in its 40th year. A local filmmaker has the highest of hopes ahead of his film’s FFF debut.

1. Outside of his day job, Tristan Ortiz writes and directs his own films. His latest project is an inspiration documentary, “No Leg Power.”

2. “No Leg Power” is based on CJ Bellamy, and Orlando-native who was on his way to NBA stardom. Then a single bullet grazed his spine. What he did next is meant to inspire and celebrate a triumph over unthinkable tragedy.

3. Ortiz said he hopes his documentary pushes each of us to be a better version of ourselves — a reason why he makes films outside of his day job.

“Visual storytelling can move people in such an incredible way,” he said. “I knew I had to be a part of that and tell stories that I want to tell and that I want to see.”

4. Tristan is already an award-winning filmmaker, including at Fusion Fest “MYgration,” but he has had a heavy eye on the FFF for years. He says Orlando is a “hungry place” for filmmakers, and he’s stoked to be here now during this momentum.

5. The Florida Film Festival is now through April 20, 2025. It’s 10 days of nearly 170 films, events, celebrities and networking. Tristan’s “No Leg Power” shows April 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the Enzian Theater in Maitland.