This Blind Marathon Runner Just Took Over Beverly Hills and Changed Film History Forever
Photo Credit: Kamelya Alexan
“I’m Only Blind,” the critically acclaimed film about Tim Paul, a runner and athlete who has competed in major marathons despite being totally blind, took top honors recently as the best documentary at the 25th Annual international Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF).
With more than 55,000 attendees annually. the BHFF is considered among the most exclusive in the world.
In accepting the award, Chicago-based filmmaker Kamelya Alexan who wrote and directed
"I'm Only Blind," observes that Paul’s story of courage and determination can inspire people everywhere.
“I wanted the world to meet him,” Alexan says, noting that her work on the project took over two years and was a labor of love.
A native of Tehran, Iran who moved to Chicago at the age of six, she has earned widespread respect for her craft, which includes over 45 projects encompassing independent and industry films, documentaries, shorts, music videos, commercial spots and feature films. Alexan
won the Empowerment Award at the 2022 Midwest Film Festival’s Best of the Midwest Awards, for her short, Changing The Disciple.
She points out that despite his affable manner, Paul, 66, is an intense competitor who always sets the highest standards for himself. He has run in the New York, Boston, Chicago and Houston Marathons as well as races in Europe. In the process, Paul has won scores of medals and other awards. In addition, he both ice and water skis and has even flown an airplane.
Paul, who works full time as a customer care agent at The Chicago Lighthouse, one of the nation's most comprehensive social service agencies, is also actively involved in his community. Among other things, he regularly participates in local blood drives.
Alexan expresses her appreciation to The Lighthouse for its support of the project and for helping people like Tim fulfill their dreams.
She notes that with the organization's help, the film includes Audio Description (AD), a narration track that describes key visual elements, including character expressions, settings and actions during pauses in dialogue. This process allows greater accessibility for people who are blind or visually impaired.
"For the very first time in its history, the BHFF used Audio Description," she says, expressing the hope that the trend will continue so people with visual impairments can more fully enjoy other films.
Following a screening of the film, Paul and Alexan participated in a question and answer session with guests who hailed from around the world. Among those in attendance to cheer Paul on were Lighthouse President and CEO Dr. Janet Szlyk and her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Jackson.
For his part, Paul thanked Alexan for telling his story as well as The Lighthouse for providing him with employment so he has the financial wherewithal to pursue his dreams as a marathon runner and athlete.
“I hope that the film encourages people with disabilities to never stop believing in themselves and to forcefully take on the challenges they face in daily living,” he says.
"I'm Only Blind" is set to premiere in Chicago on July 12 to roughly coincide with the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
