Bronx filmmaker Gregory Hernandez and his team went on a five-year journey to make a documentary focusing on the literacy struggles in the Bronx.

The documentary, titled “1.5 Million,” is a feature-length film. Hernandez was inspired to make this film when the Barnes and Noble’s at Bay Plaza shut down.

“Poverty and illiteracy, they intersect, and thus creating the crisis that we see,” said Hernandez.

The documentary, which premiered last month, aims to encourage kids to pick up more books.

“A lot of the time, kids don’t like to read because they’re told to read, or because it’s an assignment,” said Hernandez. “But now, there’s events happening, where reading can be fun and enjoyable, something to be excited about.”

Hernandez hopes to bring his documentary onto streaming platforms and enter in film festivals.