At Just 15, St. Paul Girl Makes Her First Feature Film

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Most 15 year olds are just learning to drive, but one teenager from St. Paul has just finished her first feature film.

It's a 90-minute animated movie called "Valor's Kids." It's about a wandering war hero who meets some kids who help him save the world. But the filmmaker's story might be more fantastic than the plot.

Kai Mariah started her directing career at an early age, just 9 years old.

"When I was younger I did want to act, but when I got the opportunity to direct, I decided I really liked that way more than acting," said Mariah. "It's really fun to tell people what to do."

Now a high school sophomore, Mariah doesn't just delegate. Wanting to make an animated film, but with no experience, Kai taught herself computer animation.

"It was a little difficult at first, but I mean they have a 300 page manual that pretty much tells you everything," said Mariah.

If she sounds a little modest, it's because Mariah has faced bigger challenges. The 15 year old has been in and out of the hospital since seventh grade with a condition called intracranial hypertension, it's essentially increased pressure on the brain.

"There have been times where she's in the hospital for extended stay, we bring the computer to the hospital," said Mariska Baranczyk, Mariah's mother.

That spirit has kept her going in the four years it took to finish her film.

"I didn't need to keep her motivated, I needed to corral the adults on the project," said Baranczyk.

She's a filmmaker at just 15, but Mariah won't say she's anything more than the average kid.

"I think everyone has a special talent of their own & I think this one is just mine," she said.