YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - This fall, the independent film "The Refractor" will debut, featuring local actors and some familiar places in Youngstown, while fulfilling a lifelong dream for film maker Kwai Daniels.

"Making a movie is like being a kid all over again," said Daniels. "We're like adventurers now. Other than making movies as a kid, I wanted to be a National Geographic explorer."

With "The Refractor," Daniels has his chance.  The film features all local cast members and locations, with cameos from several people you'll recognize; everyone from Reverend Lew Macklin to Youngstown Mayor John McNally.

"When we add people to the movie it gives them a stage to perform on, as well as it gives us the ability to make their fans our fans," said Daniels. "With McNally, we initially were going to shoot that scene outdoors. We were going to shoot it, to where it didn't interrupt anyone. Mayor McNally, being the guy he is, he said, 'No, you guys get access to city hall, whatever you want.'"

From casting to scouting out locations, like an abandoned warehouse, Daniels says it was important to him to stay local and really give it that authentic Youngstown feel.

"We studied a lot. We learned a lot about the steel mills in Youngstown. I actually learned out to smelt metal playing this character," said Daniels.

In addition to guiding the way behind the scenes, Daniels also plays the title character, the Refractor.

"You've got a hero that used to be loved by the entire city. He did an ambush interview with a reporter that basically turned everybody against him, identified him as a vigilante. The city decided they didn't need his type of justice anymore," said Daniels. "When it comes time for him to put on the suit again and become a hero again, he does it and he does it with vengeance. He takes out all the bad guys."

The movie started as an idea and turned into more than a year-long project, one that will be coming to a big screen in Youngstown this fall.