For Us, By Us: Our Beloved Communities
Presented by Re-Present Media and Filmmakers Collaborative SF
For Us, By Us: Our Beloved Communities is a multicultural film screening and discussion series highlighting documentary films made by a diverse group of local filmmakers who are telling personal stories of Bay Area community heroes.
This project is made possible with support from the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, Hobson Lucas Family Foundation, and California Humanities, a partner of the NEH. Visit www.calhum.org.
Program Report
We Just Want to Be
Sat, April 27, 2:15–4:45pm
New Parkway Theatre
474 24th St. Oakland, CA 94612
Screening of new footage from We Just Want to Be, panel discussion with community mental health advocates, and audience Q&A with the filmmakers.
We Just Want to Be is a documentary film in early production that tells the story of a survivor’s lifelong healing from trans conversion therapy, and the friendships across race and generation that helped facilitate that journey.
DÍA DE ABUELITA
SAT, MAY 11, 6:00–8:00PM
RAÍCES Y CARIÑO
1205 FREEDOM BOULEVARD #UNIT 3B
WATSONVILLE, CA 95076
Join us to honor our Abuelita’s, whether biological or chosen, with food, films and ceremony.
We will gather to share stories of our beloved elders, build a collective altar to honor them, and watch films by local filmmakers who share stories of their Abuelos. This will be a bilingual event in Spanish and English, families of all ages are encouraged to attend.
SARANAM GACCHÂMI
SUN, MAY 12, 4:00–6:00PM
GYUTO FOUNDATION
6401 BERNHARD AVENUE
RICHMOND, CA 94805
Join us for the film screening of Saranam Gacchâmi, an inspiring story about Ven Thupten Donyo, a visionary Buddhist monk from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal.
Witness his extraordinary journey to California, where he defied all odds to establish one of the Bay Area's largest Tibetan Monasteries—a sanctuary preserving endangered Tibetan culture, traditions, and language. Experience the Monastery and glimpse the beautiful Tibetan culture and vibrant community in the Bay Area. Enjoy a guided Monastery Tour and chai before the film with us!
SAMMY’S FINAL ARRANGEMENT
WED, MAY 29, 6:30–8:30PM
CAST, 447 MINNA STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103
Have you ever had to sacrifice a dream to make way for something else? At some point in our lives we all experience giving up something meaningful to make room for something else also important to us.
Join us for this event as we explore that moment in Sammy’s Final Arrangement, a profound and introspective film by Chad Santo Tomas profiling a florist at the peak of his game who comes to terms with his career as he decides to retire. Following the film will be a discussion about the themes it explores with the filmmaker and the subject, Sammy, moderated by Melanie Elvena from the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center.
HARBOR
WED, JUNE 5, 5:30–7:30PM
SEYMOUR MARINE DISCOVERY CENTER,
100 MCALLISTER WAY, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
Join us for the film screening of Harbor, a film that follows the life of Liza Star, a local Monterey Bay fisherwoman.
Get a chance to learn a bit of Liza’s daily life in the fishing and water-based industries in the Monterey Bay along with her journey to how she got here, starting from her childhood and upbringing in Rhode Island. Experience the film beside the ocean at the Seymour Discovery Center, and get a chance to eat locally caught Monterey Bay seafood with the appetizers served at the beginning of the event. There will also be a discussion panel of various Stewards of the Sea: people who are dedicated to the ocean through their jobs and lives.