Homegrown: Documentary Shorts Collection

Culture Series / 2 Seasons

HOMEGROWN is a regional short film initiative. Its second season "A Part Of/Apart From" is a collection of short films from the U.S. territories and Hawaiʻi exploring issues of cultural identity, sovereignty, and agency, as residents and members of the diaspora grapple with what it means to be “a part of and apart from” the mainland U.S.

16m 11s

Escambrón, Playa

S2 E8 / 15m 30s

Explore the area of Escambrón Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as beach-goers, protestors, performance artists, and scientists come together to protect its coastline from overdevelopment. Collectively, they make the case for why this public space is vital to the well-being of the people and marine life that intermingle on its shores.

Casa Laurel

S2 E7 / 16m 11s

Watch as more than 60 local residents in the Calle Loiza district of San Juan, Puerto Rico, gather every Friday night for karaoke at Casa Laurel, one of the few locally owned businesses left in the area. While foreign investment transforms Calle Loiza into a street lined with tourists, the film pays homage to this karaoke spot as a gathering place for locals filled with joy and community.

We Are Taino

S2 E6 / 13m 34s

Follow Maekiaphan, a Taino woman from the U.S. Virgin Islands, on her journey to reclaim her Taino heritage and to become the first woman Kasike (chief) of the Taino tribe. In her efforts to redress the history of colonial erasure, she pursues official recognition of her people.

CHamoru: A Lost Language

S2 E5 / 13m 6s

Follow filmmaker Brian Muna as he seeks to reconnect with CHamoru, the language native to the people of Guam and elders in his family. In his search for identity, he examines his culturally American upbringing and the importance of passing on the CHamoru language and traditions to his sons. As he meets with language advocates and youth in Guam, he wonders, is there hope for future generations?

Waters of Pu'uloa

S2 E4 / 13m 27s

Follow the transformation of the waterways of Puʻuloa, the area now known as Pearl Harbor on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, from a vibrant hub of abundance to a polluted industrial zone. Told through the voices of Hawaiian farmers, fishermen, and activists, the film reveals the impacts of militarization and environmental degradation on this historic land and its waters.

What the Storms Taught Us

S2 E3 / 14m 45s

Examine the state of public schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands 7 years after back-to-back Category 5 Hurricanes Maria and Irma made landfall. Through interviews with local officials, educators, and students, the film outlines the daily challenges and crumbling infrastructure that students and educators face while billions of dollars in federal aid to rebuild remains out of reach.

Not a U.S. Citizen

S2 E2 / 15m 27s

Explore the debate around the unique legal status of American Samoa, a U.S. territory whose residents are not U.S. citizens, and as a result, retain Indigenous ownership over their land. Two American Samoans share their opposing viewpoints: a traditional chief who wants to maintain the status quo and a U.S. Marine veteran who believes in the right to citizenship for his people.

Dear Aloha

S2 E1 / 15m 26s

“Aloha” is a way of life for Native Hawaiians, who are taught from a young age to treat people with kindness and compassion. This film asks the question, How do Native Hawaiians in the diaspora keep the feeling of Aloha in their hearts, even when they live thousands of miles away?

Supported by