Tickets to theSaturday, July 13th screening at The People's Building can now be purchased by clicking here!
Purchase your tickets now before it’s too late! A panel discussion with Executive Producer Mateos Alvarez, Director Julie Jackson, and Associate Producer and Videographer Joe Fox will be held after the film screening to take questions and to talk about how to galvanize the information contained within the film into effective community action!
See below for a schedule of future screenings of "America's Hidden Gem: Northwest Aurora"
VenueDateTimePriceTicket Purchase Link
The People’s Building
9995 East Colfax
Aurora, CO 80010
07/13/246:00pm$5Click here!
Aurora Community College
16000 E. Centretech Pkwy
Aurora, CO 80011
09/09/24TBDTBDTBD
Stanley Marketplace
2501 Dallas St.
Aurora, CO 80010
TBDTBDTBDTBD
Embrace and celebrate the rich living history of Northwest Aurora, one of the most diverse cities in America!
Several individuals have come together to tell the story of Northwest Aurora. All are committed to celebrating what “works” with this community, rather than what doesn’t. The documentary and its community outreach campaign is led by a diverse group of community members:

Community Steering Committee
  1. Crystal Murillo, City Ward 1 Council Member
  2. Abraham Morales, City of Aurora
  3. Paola Babb, Food in Communities
  4. Ryan Luby, City of Aurora
  5. Caitlin Matthews, Food Justice NW Aurora
  6. Shere Walker, Black & Brown Parents United Foundation
  7. Bliss Coleman, Aurora Cultural Arts District
  8. Ana Valles, Fitzsimmons Credit Union
  9. Alexis Watts, Visit Aurora
  10. Mateos Alvarez, Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition
  11. Joseph Fox, Joeski Productions
  12. Julie Jackson, Julie Speer Productions / Truce Studios (Director & Producer)
Featuring interviews with the following thought leaders:
  • Mike Coffman, Mayor, Aurora 
  • Crystal Murillo, City Ward 1 Council Member
  • Ricardo Gambetta, Aurora Office of International and Immigrant Affairs 
  • Aaron Vega, People's Building 
  • T. Scott Williams, Aurora Museum 
  • Keith Outcelt, Aurora Museum 
  • Rhonda Fields, Colorado Senator 
  • Omar Montgomery, Aurora NAACP / Village Exchange
  • Pastor Reid, Mosaic Church
  • Bliss Coleman, Aurora Cultural Arts District
  • Harry Budisidharta, Asian Pacific Development
  • Mateos Alvarez, Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition
  • Caitlyn Matthews, Food Justice NW Aurora
  • James Grevious, Rebel Marketplace
  • Thoa Nguyen, Banh & Butter Bakery 
  • Bianca Gardie, Amigos de Mexico
  • Tex / “Miss Creants”, Artist
  • Aziz & Several Mauritanian Refugees
  • Global Fest 2023 Performers & Participants
  • Food Justice NW Aurora Fall Festival Vendors & Attendees
Why Now?
Aurora, Colorado is one of the top 10 most diverse cities in America and Northwest Aurora, or “Original Aurora”, is its heart center. It used to be affordable, but urban development threatens to dismantle the cultural fabric that makes this place special. Several strategies, including micro-economic development that supports small businesses, coops, nonprofit coalitions, and an official City Department of International & Immigrant Affairs, are all addressing the issue. If this community can keep the diversity and cultural fabric intact through conscious revitalization, it will become a model for other cities facing gentrification.

Our Story
Meet a Mauritanian Refugee, a 1st generation Vietnamese-American, an African American Veteran, a Mexican Immigrant and a Korean-American. Although they have vastly different cultural backgrounds, they all share a love for their community and a passion for their work. Through their stories, we discover the unique history of the area, steeped in over 100 years of American Military presence. Today there are over 160 languages spoken in the public schools, award winning restaurants boasting cuisine from hundreds of countries, and a robust arts scene. However, challenges exist as the community faces poverty, a large transient population, as well as crime and blight. Development is encroaching and housing prices are on the rise. The community’s efforts to survive and thrive are highlighted in this inspirational and uplifting film. This is the story of a community making good on the promise of the American dream. Telling a story of this magnitude requires our entire community. Please join us in sharing the story of Northwest Aurora! Get your name in the credits, a T-shirt, and the pride of knowing you’re making a difference!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Click on the "Donate" button at the top and bottom of the page
or send us an email at HiddenGemDocumentary@TheAEOC.org!
$50,000 +
  • Big Logo on film
  • Red Carpet Premiere - 6 tickets
  • Large logo/banner at all Community Screenings with logo in program + invitation (~10-20k people)
  • Logo on website
  • Verbal thank you at all public screenings of the documentary
  • Logo on all printed materials
$25,000 - $49,000
  • Medium Logo on film
  • Red Carpet Premiere - 4 tickets
  • Medium logo / banner at all Community Screenings with logo in program + invitation (~10-20k people)
  • Logo on website
  • Verbal thank you at all public
  • Screenings of the documentary
  • Logo on all printed materials
$10,000 - $24,999
  • Small Logo on film
  • Red Carpet Premiere - 2 tickets
  • Small logo / banner at all Community Screenings with logo in program + invitation (~10-20k people)
  • Logo on website
  • Verbal thank you at all public screenings of the documentary
  • Logo on all printed materials
$5,000 - $9999
  • Large Text Listing on film
  • Large text listing at all community screenings
  • Logo on website
$1,000 - $4999
  • Small Text Listing on film
  • Small text listing at all community screenings
  • Logo on website
$1 - $999
  • Name in film credits
  • $100 T-Shirt
  • $250 1 ticket to Red Carpet Premiere
  • $500 2 tickets to Red Carpet Premiere
  • $750 2 tickets to Red Carpet Premiere + 2 Shirts
Follow us on Social Media!
Meet the creative team behind this storytelling effort!
Julie Jackson
Producer / Director

Born at Fitzsimmons Hospital in Northwest Aurora, Julie is an Emmy-Award-Winning filmmaker who has created over 1000 documentaries across the US and abroad, including several Emmy Award-Winning shows for Public Television. She is the creator of “Colorado Experience”, an anthology history show that airs on PBS. She is fluent in French and has produced video productions across the globe. She is the President & Chief Creative Officer of Julie Speer Productions and CEO of Truce Studios.

Ben Fout
Director of Photography / Editor

Ben has worked on-set in various roles on over 200 films. A Producer, Director and Editor, Ben can guide any production along the entire process. Ben is a founding partner of Truce Media Collective and Truce Studios and is an award winning filmmaker.

Joe Fox
Associate Producer / Videographer

Joseph Fox is a Freelance Media Producer, and founder of JoeSki Productions, who leverages over ten years of digital multimedia experience towards generating newsletters, photographs, videos, and social media content that drive donations for nonprofits, increases sales for small businesses, and elevates the online presence of individual professionals.  He is thrilled to join forces with the Truce Media crew for the Hidden Gem documentary!  Joe and his wife Laura are proud residents of NW Aurora, where they take great joy in celebrating its arts and food scenes.

Mateos Alvarez
Executive Producer

Mateos Alvarez is the Executive Director of the Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition and possess decades of experience in community leadership, union organizing, and spearheading various grassroots efforts.  As the Executive Producer of "Hidden Gem", Mateos's knowledge, relationships, and insights of the NW Aurora community have proven themselves invaluable.  In the past Mateos has worked with Julie Jackson, Hidden Gem's Director, on other documentaries including  "Swift Justice", "Standing in the Gap", and "Colorado Experience Justicia y Libertad".

The Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition is a 501(3)(c) non-profit registered in Colorado, USA. EIN: 82-1162730.