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Award-winning filmmaker Cristina Ibarra's documentary, Las Marthas, highlights one of the largest celebrations of George Washington’s birthday in the world as it takes place in the border town of Laredo, Texas. The preeminent event of the celebrations is the invitation-only Colonial Ball hosted by the elite Society of Martha Washington.  

Society daughters, most of them Mexican American, are invited to debut in elaborate Colonial gowns representing iconic figures from America’s revolutionary history, to reenact a ball thrown by America’s first First Lady.

These gowns can weigh up to one hundred pounds and cost up to $30,000. Many of the creations are the design of dressmaker Linda Leyendecker Gutierrez, and oil heiress who designs her dresses with "heavenly inspiration from God."

Las Marthas follows two of the young debutantes — one a prominent member of Laredo society and the other a newcomer from Mexico — as they prepare for this rite of passage.

The film is a recipient of the Tribeca Institute’s Heineken VOCES Documentary Award, as well as funding from LPB, Jerome Foundation, and Humanities Texas.

The video is available online until March 18, 2014.