On Sunday, October 6, Firelight Media presented a special edition of our Beyond Resilience series at the Hawai'i International Film Festival, following the World Premiere of our new documentary short film series HOMEGROWN: A Part Of/Apart From.

Accessibility Notice: This event recording includes closed captions.

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Though the United States has positioned itself as a beacon of democracy, its colonial power over five territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands) complicates that narrative. These territories, as well as the U.S. state of Hawai’i, have been exploited for their lush land and resources, and their people deployed as shields in far-flung wars. But because those born in U.S. territories are not legally afforded the same access, opportunities, or rights as U.S. citizens, its people are often considered “a part of and apart from” the continental U.S.

To build on the themes of liminality and separation woven throughout the documentary short film collection "HOMEGROWN: A Part Of/Apart From" (premiering at HIFF ‘24 and streaming via PBS Digital Studios in spring 2025), Firelight Media will host an intimate Beyond Resilience panel conversation between Dr. Michael Bevacqua of the Fanachu! podcast (moderator), and HOMEGROWN filmmakers Cris Romento, John P. Wheatley, and Brian Muna.

How has the settler colonial U.S.’ history of separating Indigenous peoples from their lands and histories affected the stories being passed down in Indigenous territories and abroad? What are the opportunities to create bold new stories that center Indigenous or Native culture over “mainstream” U.S. culture? How can these stories exist outside of the context of the U.S., and why must they? And, for filmmakers, how has inadequate access to capital, talent development, and talent pipelines complicated the process of creating pathways to audiences for these critical stories?

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The Beyond Resilience Series is sponsored by Open Society Foundations. Beyond Resilience is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Field of Vision.

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Participant Bios:

Michael Lujan Bevacqua, Ph.D. (Familian Bittot and Kabesa) taught Guam History and Chamoru language at the University of Guam for 10 years, runs a weekly podcast called Fanachu! and currently works as the curator for the Guam Museum. With his brother Jack, they run a creative company called The Guam Bus (theguambus.com) that publishes Chamoru language books, comics, and learning materials. He is a co-chair for the political status educational outreach group Independent Guåhan and serves as a member of Guam’s Commission on Decolonization. Since 2010, he has been teaching the Chamoru language through free weekly, in-person and virtual classes. Since 2022 he has helped organize an annual two-week adult Chamoru language immersion program. The third iteration took place in July 2024 in San Diego, California. In 2022, he was selected to be a part of the first ever cohort for the Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Museum Institute (NHPIMI), which was held at the East West Center in Hawai’i.

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Brian Muna, Guam Native, is an established filmmaker on island with eight years of experience in the industry. His filmmaking credits also include commercial work for corporations on island and has also worked abroad for projects filmed in Japan and Taiwan for Illest and had volunteered for a short-form documentary filmed in the Philippines (2017) aimed to support a non-profit organization.Under his company, Brian Muna Films, he has directed, written, filmed and produced numerous short films and music videos and has collaborated with other local artists, creatives and filmmakers alike.In 2015, Brian wrote, co-directed, and produced the short film Luther — An agent is captured eight years after going rogue. His interrogation dissects parts of his past, which lead to an impending revelation — an official selection at the 2015 Guam International Film Festival (GIFF) and received the award for Best Made in the Marianas. Another film he directed, Madam (2015) — A (fiction) film that depicts the harsh world of human sex trafficking in a non-relenting plight— was also screened and nominated alongside Luther at the GIFF.

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Cris Romento is a filmmaker and editor telling healing, joyful stories through an Indigenous feminist lens. Through her experience as a diasporic Hawaiian, Cris is inspired toward compassionate storytelling that helps people feel a little less alone. Cris recently moved back to her hometown of Honolulu after 20 years away, beginning her own personal journey of telling Aloha ʻĀina stories and reconnecting with her roots. Before this, Cris worked in Saudi Arabia and Europe, profiling scientists and entrepreneurs in climate change and sustainable technology. She also spent time in NYC as a freelance editor and director, creating short films for nonprofits about coral reef restoration, ocean conservation, and responsible tourism.Her background as a mixed-race Hawaiian growing up on the continent and traveling the world has allowed her access to the deep connections we all share as humanity. She is deeply passionate about protecting the planet through indigenous wisdom.Cris currently works as a visual storyteller for the nonprofit Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) and as a Mentor for Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking. Her first short, Someone I Used to Know (2021) premiered at Seattleʻs Local Sightings and Phoenix Film Festivals.

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John P. Wheatley stands as an acclaimed director, producer, and the visionary force behind Dominion Global. Renowned for his exceptional skills as a cinematographer, John has shaped visuals for leading names such as Netflix, REVOLT, VIACOM CBS, URBAN ONE, Youtube Studios, Lancôme, LEXUS North America, Rawlings Baseball, Jesse Collins Entertainment, SeanJohn, and played a pivotal role in five seasons of BET’s Sunday Best. Over two decades, John has seamlessly directed, edited, and produced for major cable networks, prominent corporations, and independent ventures, amassing an impressive 100 Million views digitally in just the past three years. In his role as Executive Producer, Mr. Wheatley achieved milestone successes, including producing the highest-grossing Carnival DVD in the US Virgin Islands and orchestrating their most triumphant live comedy festival, Laughter in Paradise. This event featured stellar comedians Bruce Bruce, Michael Blackson, and Cedric The Entertainer. He splits his time between vibrant Atlanta and the picturesque St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.John is an alumnus of the esteemed Full Sail University, where he honed his craft and launched his journey into the world of entertainment.