METTLE follows the journey of Liana Mutia, a blind Filipino-American judoka, on her way to the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

This was Chelsea’s debut documentary film, co-directed alongside Surabhi Sundaram, and a product of their work for their master’s project in the documentary program at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. It premiered at the International Sport Film Festival in Italy in November 2024 where it won the award for “Best Student Work”.

Recognition:

• International Sports Film Festival, Best Student Work (November 2024, World Premier)

• Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival (May 2025, North American Premier)

• 2024 Gary Corcoran Student Prize for Excellence in Reporting on Disability

• Newburyport Documentary Film Festival, Young Emerging Filmmakers Award Recipient (September 2026, Massachusetts Premier)