Documentary Films and Senior Narrative Films

Documentary Program (12:00 pm)

Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking (CINE 355) Professor: Kate Trumbull-LaValle

Out of Tune

As Mikey unexpectedly rose to fame, he quickly becomes acquainted with the harsh realities of the music industry.

• Director: Grecia Martinez and Laci Monay
• Producer: Savannah Gasca
• Cinematographer: Kehan Lin
• Editor: Grecia Martinez and Laci Monay

Siempre Hay Tiempo

While Joaquin and many other fathers sacrificed their education or personal pursuits to better their children’s future, some struggle with connecting to their children. Joaquin, who is a 68 year-old newly retired father, goes back to school. While showcasing his silent yet unique relationship with his son.

• Director: Mateo Medina and Danielle Perales
• Producer: Ruby Davis
• Cinematographer: Ruby Davis and Danielle Perales
• Editor: Marylou Juarez

It Would Be Foolish To Make Art With Eyes Closed

Showcasing the art of Sayon Syprasoueth, and how his past has influenced his current art. Syprasoueth uses themes of identity, trauma, and the immigrant story not only in his art but to continue to navigate life.

• Director: Levi Yin
• Producer: T Rivas Lopez
• Cinematographer: Abby Kottke
• Editor: Levi Yin

Raymond in Reverie

Exploring the concept of time through the eyes of a movie theater security guard whose years of watching people in line have lead to vivid daydreams and reflections that have taught him the value of relationships.

• Director: Wil McGee
• Producer: Hannah Putnam
• Cinematographer: Jonathan Sintora
• Editor: Yaretzi Alvarez

Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking (CINE 382) Professors: Helen Hood Scheer

Patchwork In Progress

A young artist devoted to transforming recycled materials into works of art, aiming to inspire small but lasting change in how communities care for the planet.

• Director: MJ Calingasan
• Producer: MJ Calingasan
• Cinematographer: Daniel Ullyses Ortega
• Editor: Daniel Ullyses Ortega

Advanced Documentary Filmmaking (CINE 383) Professors: Helen Hood Scheer

Moni

A 29-year-old single sober mother fights to regain custody of her three children after losing them to addiction.

• Director: Sungbin Moon
• Producer: Cristal Garcia and Sungbin Moon
• Cinematographer: Tyler Hoang
• Editor: Tyler Hoang and Sungbin Moon
• Sound Recordist: Cherise Jackson

24 Hour Sanctuary

In the heart of Los Angeles, a Jewish deli has survived society's changing landscapes for over 100 years by becoming a 24-hour sanctuary for all people.

• Director: MG Nava
• Producer: Marianne Nuñez Rodriguez
• Cinematographer: Frankie Jay
• Editor: MJ Calingasan
• Sound Recordist: Caitlyn Gormley

The Line of Duty

The Line of Duty is a documentary about the relationship between a former California Highway Patrolman and his filmmaker daughter, exploring the toll of his career on their lives.

• Director: Cassidy Barba
• Producer: Carson Donner and Aedyn Frazer
• Cinematographer: Aedyn Frazer and Joseph Moersch
• Editor: Fiona Valli
• Sound Recordist: Carson Donner, Joseph Moersch and Fiona Valli

Never Rest Easy

Never Rest Easy is an immersive and intimate documentary short film following LA Galaxy fans whose lives and sense of self are deeply intertwined with the soccer team.

• Director: Ger Skinder
• Producer: Juliana Muñoz and Ger Skinder
• Cinematographer: Nicklas Beijer
• Editor: Ger Skinder, Associate Editors: Nicklas Beijer and Alam Rodriguez
• Sound Recordist: Alam Rodriguez and Denzel Paz

Dear Ma

A first generation Filipina American filmmaker confronts her relationship with her mother to gain understanding of the generational pain they share.

• Director: Abigail Celine Alonzo
• Producer: Belleny Samira Iraheta
• Cinematographer: Lesly Mendez
• Editor: Sarah Atallah
• Sound Recordist: Gabriel Pulmano

Matter of Time

Warren Senegal, a 92-year-old African American retired Air Force officer, reflects on a lifetime of racism in the military and American society. This documentary explores the shifting face of racial injustice and the legacy he leaves as a witness, survivor, and symbol of resilience.

• Director: Grego Senegal
• Producer: Naveah Sabillo
• Cinematographer: Adonis D. Williams
• Editor: Naveah Sabillo and Zhen Smalls
• Sound Recordist: Jason Castillo

Memoria y Pérdida

Set against the unforgiving landscapes of the U.S.-Mexico border, Memoria y Pérdida follows the humanitarian efforts of dedicated volunteers providing lifesaving aid to migrants navigating the deadliest routes of the borderlands.

• Director: Wilfredo Chavez
• Producer: Alana Loinaz
• Cinematographer: Daniel Ortega
• Editor: Shane Smithburger
• Sound Recordist: Marc Campo

Narrative Program (2:30 pm)

Advanced Narrative Production (CINE 342) Professor: Kent Hayward

El Jardín de los Colibríes

A young Mexican girl must confront the greed of her relatives when they threaten to sell the remnant connection she has to her deceased grandmother, her prized home garden.

• Director: Daniela Jimenez Camberos
• Producer: Michelle Pirouzmand, Jackson Demorest, and Talia Brandon
• Screenwriter: Daniela Jimenez Camberos
• Cinematographer: Cyrene Bianca Puno
• Editor: Phillip Chan
• Production Designer: Victoria Hernandez

Between Us

An anxious high schooler is caught between his toxic best friend and the girl of his dreams, changing their friendship forever.

• Director: Colin Miller
• Producer: Alondra Patino, Alana Loinaz, Jonah Lee and Ariana Diaz
• Screenwriter: Colin Miller
• Cinematographer: Sean Hurd
• Editor: Justin Toyoshiba
• Production Designer: Elijah Suarez

Camila

A young housewife expresses her want of becoming an artist to her husband who is dismissive of her aspirations due to her pregnancy.

• Director: Victoria Hernandez
• Producer: Jackson Demorest, Raelle Vargas, Ariana Diaz, Karina Galdamez and Colin Miller
• Screenwriter: Victoria Hernandez
• Cinematographer: Yamile Morales
• Editor: Phillip Chan
• Production Designer: Michelle Gonzalez

False Vanity

A discouraged college student struggles with her own self-worth until she meets an elderly woman next door that helps her discover that she's worthy of being loved.

• Director: Hannah Hughey
• Producer: Antonio Picon, Riley Duthaler and Talia Brandon
• Screenwriter: Hannah Hughey
• Cinematographer: Kurumi Murata
• Editor: Morgan Khoe, Assistant Editor: Sloane Powers
• Production Designer: Sarah Turecek

Unspoken

When a Vietnamese-American teen is torn between celebrating her birthday with friends or honoring a family tradition, she must confront what growing up means for the relationships she once held closest.

• Director: Derek Nguyen
• Producer: Michelle Pirouzmand and Joshua Baldwin
• Screenwriter: Derek Nguyen, Jenaro Torres, Joey Veracruz
• Cinematographer: Joey Veracruz
• Editor: Nabeeh Shamieh
• Production Designer: Morgan Khoe

Home

With Earth fading and humanity beginning a new life on a faraway planet, Ellie learns her father's secret and must decide the family's future.

• Director: Amir Khan
• Producer: Joshua Baldwin and Patrick Boone
• Screenwriter: Amir Khan
• Cinematographer: Ezer Kadir
• Editor: Alex Ortiz
• Production Designer: Sarah Turecek

The Jester

An aging amateur comedian lands the opportunity of a lifetime, but his dreams of making it big are put to the test when he stops taking his medication, resulting in mental health struggles that lead to his demise.

• Director: Destiny Jaimes Carachure
• Producer: Sam Miranda and Moises Cardenas
• Screenwriter: Destiny Jaimes Carachure
• Cinematographer: Sara Lam
• Editor: Sam Miranda
• Production Designer: Sydney Capriana Vena

Oro Para Loro

To ensure his children listen to their mother, Loro spins a grotesque tale of his rebellious youth working at a motel where he faces life or death when encountering a satanic guest.

• Director: Anahi Galvez
• Producer: Samantha Miranda and Anabella Vaca
• Screenwriter: Anahi Galvez
• Cinematographer: Daniel Figueroa
• Editor: Keren Orendain and Anahi Galvez
• Production Designer: Elijah Suarez

17

After newly turned 17-year-old Lavinia starts dating 24-year-old Francis, their relationship takes a twisted turn once she realizes she is a victim.

• Director: Indica DeRose
• Producer: Martin Straume, El Suarez and Sara Medina
• Screenwriter: Indica DeRose
• Cinematographer: Jessica Katz
• Editor: Hailey Jessner
• Production Designer: Ame Hart

Lane

A careerist architect discovers her dark history of the Long Beach City boardwalk and it shocked into activism.

• Director: Ebony Tay
• Producer: Aidan Ohanian, Jessica Katz, Ebony Tay and Antonio Picon
• Screenwriter: Ebony Tay
• Cinematographer: Henry Chan
• Editor: Ebony Tay
• Production Designer: Emery Ricks