Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2015 -- Writer and Performer, Teodorico Paul Sajor, has turned his spoken word poem 'Why I Smile', narrating scenes about himself as a kid who wanted to commit suicide but didn't, into a short-film directed by Award-winning writer and film director, Rebecca Louisell (Genderfreak), that will be released through Youtube on September 10, 2015, World Suicide Prevention Day. The poem is a true story about abuse and suicide, but it shows that ultimately coming out of every dark situation is an inner strength and the knowledge that one doesn't need any validation to know they are worthy and deserving.

With the recent deaths by suicide of teen Leelah Alcorn, Kennedy LeRoy and Ronin Shimizu gone "viral", suicides among youth are on the rise and Teo hopes that this film will help bring attention to the problem by offering hope from his own experience and representing the idea that things do get better.

"Like Robin Williams," Teo points out, 'even the strongest of people have their weakest moments and it's a reminder to keep hanging on despite how difficult things may be."

Since the film deals with dark themes, it was difficult to find a child actor who would be able handle the role until synchronicity brought the team together, including a mom who had been abused as a child and lived to have her own son. After the audition, Leo told the filmmakers why he wanted to do the film. "I wanted to do the role," Leo said, "because I wanted to know how grandma made my mom feel." (When Leo's mother, Yesika, was a child, her own mother had tried to hang her over the bathroom rod above the tub while she was sleeping.)

For more information, visit the filmmakers on Instagram @ismilecause or 'LIKE' their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ismilecause

The short film will be available to watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wc61XSYyv8

This is just the beginning for our filmmaker's mission. Teo is starting a new project as a creative producer for Rebecca's feature film, "Tomás" - which is a coming of age story of a trans-teen living in East LA. You can also catch him in the new season of Fresh off the Boat.

Contact: Teo Sajor
Title: Writer/Actor/Producer
email: teodorico.sajor@gmail.com