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MYgration Films

Capturing the stories of Central Floridians from around the world in short three- to five-minute documentary films.

Share your story or be one of the filmmakers in the 2024 MYgration Films program.

We love the stories of our Central Florida neighbors. Whether they are a first generation American or a 5th generation Floridian, there is a story about the culture that shaped them and the journey that they or someone in their family took (physically and mentally) to become a Central Floridian.

FILMMAKERS, From the moment you meet your assigned subject at the August 23 Pairing Party until you turn in your short film five days later, you’ll have a memorable experience and a creative challenge to find the best story and present it in the most powerful way. Sign up for the challenge here. 

Filmmaker Sign Up

 

THOSE WITH A STORY, Creating a video story about your life that friends, relatives and future generations can see, leaves a legacy. You’ll find the filmmakers may bring out thoughts, memories and feelings you haven’t known were there. More than one film subject has told us that the experience was healing for them. Sign up to tell your story here.

Film Subject Sign Up

Lori Turchin

Film Curator & Producer

Genke Ganbare by Matt Wohl (Vermont, USA) about Amy Akamine (Japan)

Follow Amy from her younger years of wanting to be a blonde blue-eyed girl to embracing her
Okinawan culture and heritage by honoring her family legacy through food and forming an
organization, National Association of Asian American Professionals (N.A.A.A.P.), that celebrates
her Asian American Pacific Island (AAPI) background.

Hans-Peter by Emilee Namphengsone (Laos) about Hans-Peter Nkansah (Ghana)

Hans Peter came to this country from Ghana with little to his name, sleeping in a store room in
his earliest times here. Through the kindness of Central Floridians Hans-Peter has found a
home, is raising his family, and has become a successful businessman proud of his heritage
who shares his unique customs with his children and others.

Bonded By Purpose by Jorge Gutierrez (Caribbean) about Anna Byrnes (Ukraine)

Anna Byrnes came to Orlando from her native Ukraine after marrying her husband, an American
citizen and Central Floridian. Discover how Anna has found a way to support her fellow
Ukrainians during the war by making food and serving this niche demographic here in Central
Florida.

Chasing Dreams by Bhavana Banala (India) about Era Ghali (Egypt)

Era Ghali came to Central Florida in search of following her dreams of working in the film
industry, despite her family’s objections. See how she has found a home here and is pursuing
her passion of becoming the first Female Egyptian Director.

Anglo-Italian by Betty Su (Vietnam) about Gaby West (England/Italy)

Gaby West grew upin Italy until the age of 7 where she was surrounded by antiquity and art. After moving toLondon with her mother, she eventually studied art in England. She had spent her lifesurrounded by great art. With the formation of her company Artscapes, it is Gaby’s Mission to make sure that the lives of Central Floridians are filled with art in everyday spaces.

Passion & Pride by Benjamin Mack-Jackson (Ukraine) about Gabriella Rodriguez
(Puerto Rico/Mexico)

Gabriella came to Central Florida and had a rough start with barely a dollar to her name. After
struggling with homelessness she found her home in the LGBTQ+ community as an advocate
for the LGBTQ+ community with an emphasis on LatinX. It is her journey to make sure this
underrepresented group has its diversity shown in a positive and affirming light and helping
others who like herself were once lost to find their way.

Where Flowers Bloom by Joshua Thomas (USA LGBTQ) about Jasmin & Trib Persaud (Guyana/India)
The Tribaud family moved to Central Florida at the behest of their cherished son, Anand. The Persauds tragically lost their son Tribhawan “Anand” Persaud in a motor vehicle accident less than 3 years after moving their lives to this new country. Upon his passing, Anand’s parents agreed to honor their son by donating his organs, which has ultimately saved the lives of 6 individuals. The Persauds are now proud advocates for organ donation and are on a mission to educate and inspire their Central Florida community on the impact that the selfless act of being a donor can have.

See Me As They Do by Tristan Antony Ortiz (Puerto Rico) about Justine Francisco (Japan/Philippines)
Follow the emotional journey of Justine Francisco as he talks with his mom about the sacrifices she made so he could have a better life here in Central Florida after leaving him with his grandmother in the Philippines. Because of their sacrifices, Justine honors her and his grandmother through his job as an International Student Service liaison at a local University. There he has found his place amongst this diverse community and helped them on their journey of discovery here in the Orlando area.

Talofa by Mauricio Mejia Chang (Peru) about Patrick Ah-Wang (Samoa)
Patrick ‘Etu’ Wang and his now wife came to Central Florida at the invitation of Walt Disney World to become performers at the Polynesian Village. After arriving they were told by Disney to not show tattoos and have long hair. Standing up for the culture he was brought over here to represent, Etu approaches the higher-ups and affected change. He and his wife have since raised their family here passing on their native traditions to their children and others in Central Florida.

A Bless Life by Juan David Tena (Colombia) about Samir Fkiyi (Morocco)
Samir came to America with a few hundred dollars and a dream of becoming a success. He is active in spreading his Moroccan culture throughout Central Florida and has raised his children in a multi-cultural home that he shares with his wife.

Mirage by Corey Marr (USA) about Zachary Moldof (USA-Skate Culture)
Zachary Moldof is an American who has found his life’s purpose through becoming a skateboard advocate. By creating programs for young kids to focus on instead of getting in trouble, he is fulfilling his life mission.

Share Your Story!

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2022 MYgration Films Winner

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STELLA ARBELAEZ

Heritage: Colombia

 

Coming from a well-educated family and a good elementary education in Bogotá, Colombia, where she was considered “too energetic,” Stella’s family sent her, and her mother to the US to better afford higher education for all her siblings. She came to Queens, NY, where an aunt owned a gas station. During her high School years, although she was not fluent in English, she was accepted into an arts high school.  After completing a BFA in Fine Arts Illustration, she continued with art classes and worked in the design field. That eventually led to a position with Walt Disney Animation in Orlando.

 

Her family suffered a number of tragedies – her father was killed in Colombia, her mother was killed in the US, her sister was dying of cancer.

 

Through the Disney connection she met a Californian and moved there to get married. After the birth of her daughter, she pursued a degree in early childhood education and devoted her life to her family. Her husband and his friends did not speak Spanish. She was not allowed to speak Spanish at the dinner table, and gradually lost touch with her Colombian heritage. She became a surprisingly “well- adapted” exotic person, rather than a true representation of her culture. An annual trip to a Colombian restaurant for her birthday and trips to visit her relatives in South Florida were the sole ties to Colombian culture.

 

While visiting her extended family in Florida, her marriage ended traumatically. This sent her into a couple of years of dark depression and self-condemnation. For her 48th birthday, she joined a Meet-Up group for a 4-day hike to the Appalachian Trail. “With every step I took”, she recalls, “I felt more alive. I felt the blood rush to my legs and my heart pumping to get me through the next mile.” Hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail in 2020, while reflecting on the person she had been, the person she now was, and the person she still wanted to be, led her back to art. Her mantra became, “Nature heals.”

Also, visiting her extended family in South Florida, she felt enveloped by the love and warmth of her childhood in Colombia with dance parties where they would dance salsa, merengue, and cumbia until the wee hours of the night, reveling in their festive traditions. Her little dog, Bobo, is a faithful companion.

MICHEAL ELLIOTT

Hi there, I am a writer, director & cinematographer local to the St.Pete area. I have worked on short films, commercials, and a couple of feature films, mainly in the camera or lighting department. I have also worked on several passion projects like “The Beat Within,” which was a short documentary following a women-led drum circle in Dunedin. I was an editor for a few years prior to trying my hand at shooting, so I shoot with the edit in mind. I am a South African-born immigrant who moved to the United States to study business management but fell in love with filmmaking and telling stories after being here for a few years. My direction changed from economics to making movies and telling stories. I believe documentary work is vital and important in current media and entertainment, especially to tell the stories of those who do not have a voice and are under represented. I would love to participate in your event and look forward to the challenge and excitement!