A Riverdale teen is getting national attention for writing and directing her own screenplay.

Chelsea Almonte took a class at the International Film Institute of New York this summer. Her film, "70 Years," will debut this fall.

The story follows a teenager struggling with depression who contemplates suicide. Almonte says the story is close to her heart.

"After I was diagnosed with diabetes, it felt like the end of the world," the 17-year-old says. "It was a really hard time for me."

Almonte hopes to have a film debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in the future.