What began as a deeply personal story shared in therapy more than a decade ago has now reached audiences worldwide. Travis Andre Ross, a Turlock native and Gustine High School graduate, announced this week that his first feature film “Central Valley” is officially available to stream on Amazon.

“HUGE NEWS FRIENDS!!! After years of hard work, sacrifice, and stubborn belief, my film Central Valley has officially been released on Amazon!” Ross wrote in a Facebook post. “This film means more to me than I can explain in one post. It all started 12 years ago with my therapist telling me to share my story.”

The film, which can be rented for $2.99, was largely shot in Santa Nella, Gustine, Newman and Patterson — communities that shaped Ross’s own upbringing and the struggles he drew upon to write, produce and star in the project. For Gustine residents, the release marks a proud moment of seeing their hometown featured in a story that has already earned recognition on the national stage.

Ross previously said that the film had been years in the making, from conception to script to production and post-production. Since its completion, “Central Valley” has been screened at festivals across the country, including Sedona, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Dubuque, St. Petersburg and Long Beach Island. Along the way, it collected honors such as Best Actor, Best Young Actor and the Audience Choice Award at the First Glance Film Festival in Los Angeles, as well as another Audience Choice Award at the Lighthouse International Film Festival in New Jersey.

“That award is the highest to me because it comes directly from the people watching the movie,” Ross said.

The film tells the story of Tim, a 35-year-old drug peddler forced to confront his life choices after the sudden death of his younger brother leaves him responsible for a 10-year-old nephew. The narrative, Ross explained, is rooted in his own experiences and carries a message of resilience and self-acceptance. “The ending may just surprise people,” he said in a previous interview.

Ross said the validation he received from audiences and critics alike has been powerful. At one festival, a veteran film critic told him she was left “at a loss for words” after watching the film — a moment Ross described as a turning point in believing his work could resonate beyond his own circle.

For Gustine, the Amazon release is more than just a streaming milestone. It’s a chance for the community to see familiar streets and landscapes on screen, woven into a story that reflects both the challenges and the strength of the Central Valley. Ross has long emphasized that sharing the film with friends and family in the region was a priority.

“I look forward to sharing the film with friends and family who are much a part of this story,” he said.

With “Central Valley” now available to stream, Ross hopes the film’s reach will extend even further.

“If our film can help even one person out there, our goal was achieved,” he stressed.