CHICAGO MADE

Chicago premiere of I’m Only Blind inspires us to live fully

By Barbara Roche
June 20, 2025

The inspiring award-winning documentary I’m Only Blind is set to make its Chicago premiere on July 12 at CineCity Studios. Filmed entirely in Chicago, the film follows the remarkable story of Tim Paul, a 66-year-old local resident who has been blind for most of his adult life, but refuses to let that define him.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kamelya Alexan, I’m Only Blind captures Tim’s incredible resilience and sense of adventure. Over the course of two years, Alexan followed him across the city as he trained for marathons, waterskied, flew a plane, played music, and even tackled downhill skiing. At every step, Tim challenged not only himself, but the very idea of what people assume about disability.

His message is clear: Don’t wait to live fully—step out of your comfort zone and embrace life’s possibilities. “I’ve done 23 marathons,” Tim Paul shares. “I bike. I ski. I live. Being blind is just one part of my story.”

The journey of the film began when Kamelya met Tim at a local gym through a mutual acquaintance. She was so inspired by his energy and message that she laced up her running shoes and began filming him as he trained—often struggling to keep up with his pace. The project became a labor of love, capturing not only Tim’s physical feats but his deep joy and determination.

“I still can’t believe how lucky I am to share the story of someone as extraordinary as Tim Paul,” said director Kamelya Alexan. “His journey is a testament to grit, optimism, and unwavering determination, and deserves to be seen by the world.”

In many ways, Tim and Kamelya mirror each other. Both have a gift for pushing beyond what’s comfortable: Tim through his fearless embrace of life despite blindness, and Kamelya through her total immersion into a demanding, 2 year-long documentary. Both are mission-driven, using their talents to challenge perceptions, inspiring others to imagine what’s possible–and raising each other up in the process.

A true passion project, I’m Only Blind is heartfelt, motivating, and a powerful reminder that life’s biggest limitations are often the ones we place on ourselves.

The documentary recently won the Audience Choice Award at the Beverly Hills International Film Festival, and will now have its hometown celebration in Chicago. The July 12 screening will include a Q&A with both Tim Paul and Kamelya Alexan.