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In celebration of API Heritage Month, please join us for a screening of 5 diverse short films: Do You Love Me?, Fran, I'm Still Here, Kaeru, and Paper Son. A panel discussion and Q&A session moderated by Joel Quizon from Visual Communications will feature the 5 South Bay filmmakers Don Bannai, Patty Fong, Teresa Matsushima, Robert Shoji, and George Wada.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED (Walk-ins will not be allowed entry).
Date: SATURDAY, May 21, 2022
Time: 2:00-4:00PM
FEE: $15 per attendee
Location: GVJCI Main Hall
1964 W 162nd Street
Gardena, CA 90247
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ABOUT THE SHORT FILMS

DO YOU LOVE ME?
Teresa Matsushima

This short film follows a young sansei girl’s journey in search of her estranged nisei father. She reunites with him after 30 years. Over a period of 4 years, they exchange 80 handwritten letters. Finally on his death bed, she finds some resolution in her father-daughter relationship.
FRAN
Robert Shoji

With her infectious laugh and great sense of humor, Pearl Harbor survivor Fran Ito answers a series of questions designed to reveal her outlook on life. Her answers demonstrate her indomitable spirit despite physical frailties. Fran’s open and optimistic perspective gives us hope for the future as we persevere through difficult times.
I'M STILL HERE
George Wada
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For those of us that grew up in the 70's, the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan feels like DeJa Vu. Vietnamese refugees have long moved on in their lives in America. Photos and videos of recent events in Afghanistan bring back vivid memories of their journey out of Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. Out of 1.1 million refugees, this is one personal perspective of what is occurring and the story of survival.
KAERU
Don Bannai
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Trace Tres Fukuhara’s art begins with nature. Many of his works honor, family, friends and community. KAERU center’s around Fukuhara’s signature Pacific Wind Sculpture Garden in Long Beach, California. We look at some of his past and current pieces as well as take a glimpse at future plans.
PAPER SON
Patty Fong

The Wong family was threatened by uncertainty and unrest in China. So, they sent their oldest son away to another country.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

​KAERU

Don Bannai gets to combine a lifelong curiosity about people and their stories with a new way to move our communities forward by creating short documentaries. After 30 years of wandering the dessert, living in Las Vegas, he has ended up back in Gardena. In the future he hopes to be involved with projects that recognize the contributions of those who built the foundations of our communities.
PAPER SON

Patty Fong is a South Bay native. Retirement from a career in finance has allowed her more time to pursue her interests including traveling, cooking, family history and storytelling.
DO YOU LOVE ME?

Teresa Takaki Matsushima, born in the Windy City, traded snow boots for zori and grew up as a Gardena girl. A diehard Bruin, she loves snuggling her grandkids, talking story over green tea and arranging flowers. A retired nurse practitioner, she has served on three continents in medical missions. “Dear Dad,” her first film, was cathartic and helped to mend a broken heart.
FRAN
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Robert Shoji holds a lifelong interest in music and the creative arts. After parlaying his engineering degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo into a successful career in consumer electronics he is now focusing his creative talents to tell his own story in film and music.
​I'M STILL HERE

George Wada grew up in the JA community of Venice, CA and relocated to Vancouver, WA. for high school where he was a minority of one and a half. At CSULB, he had a choice to major in Radio/TV or engineering. He chose the steady income and continues to work in the Aerospace industry. He lives in the South Bay and is married to a long suffering wife of over 40 years with three grown sons. He also has three grandchildren that are learning to use the term Y’all in Texas. They are all happy as long as they are not featured in any of his films.
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