2026 Finalist, Student Narrative Finalist

THE DAY YOU FIND YOUR NAME

Year: 2026

Runtime: 00:15:07

Synopsis:

From her jail cell, eight months pregnant Afeni Shakur writes a letter to her unborn son, Tupac, retracing her transformation from Alice Faye Williams into a revolutionary voice in Harlem. Drawn to the Black Panther Party’s fight for self-determination, Afeni finds
purpose, love, and community. As Afeni rises through the ranks to become a section leader, government surveillance, internal betrayal, and the arrest of her comrades threaten both her leadership and the movement she has come to serve.

Afeni and twenty other Panthers are charged with conspiracy to commit arson and murder in what becomes known as the Panther 21 trial, leaving them to face 189 felony charges and life in prison. After discovering that a trusted Panther is an undercover
police officer, Afeni chooses to represent herself in court. Fighting for her freedom and the future of her unborn child, she must find the strength to confront the
system, defend her people, and define her own name.

Film Credits

Meet The Director:

Dominique R. Draper is a writer, director, and producer from Houston, Texas. A graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, Class of 2025, where he developed a distinct voice in character-driven storytelling centered on unexposed worlds and lived experiences.

Draper’s work is rooted in a deep care for people. As the eldest of seven siblings, he brings an instinctive sense of leadership and empathy to his sets, cultivating environments where collaboration thrives and actors feel supported to deliver their most honest work. This human-first approach is central to both his process and the stories he tells.

His thesis film, The Day You Find Your Name, has received three awards, including the 2026 USC First Look Industry Award for Best Social Change and Best Cinematography at the Utah International Film Festival, and serves as a proof of concept for a feature-length project. His previous short, Hell of a Child, also earned festival recognition, reflecting his ability to merge intimate character work with socially resonant themes.

Influenced by the rhythm, honesty, and cultural storytelling traditions of hip-hop, Draper approaches filmmaking with clarity, intention, and emotional precision. His work is driven by a commitment to authenticity, creating films that not only engage audiences but leave a lasting human impact.

Writer:

Dominique R. Draper

Producer(s):

Qingyi Song, Dominique R. Draper, Briana Monet, David Ahaiwe Dixon