Undocumented Immigrant's Daughter Chases Her Own Dreams

On November 10, 2025, a special screening and celebration was held in Washington, D.C. to announce the winners of the second edition of the American Dreaming documentary shorts competition. The top-placing film was "American Daydream" by Ziyu Lou, which follows the story of an undocumented immigrant who has heavily relied on her legal daughter to navigate life in America. However, everything begins to change when the daughter decides she wants to pursue her own dreams.

The second-place film, "The Many Worlds of George Goodman," is a sci-fi adventure where a high school baseball coach struggles to return home to his family after being attacked by his alternate self from another dimension. Third place went to "The Ride," which follows a 1976 Plymouth as it reflects on its journey and changes throughout human life as it passes from one owner to the next.

The American Dreaming festival aims to elevate new creators across scripted, unscripted, and experimental formats, with a focus on personal stories. The event is presented by Imagine Entertainment, The Film Zone, Stand Together, and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.