A decade of community-driven storytelling and filmmaking comes to the spotlight in Los Angeles.

Justice for My Sister celebrated ten years of storytelling, advocacy, and community filmmaking at the 2nd Annual Justice for My People Film Festival, held Saturday, April 26, at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

Founded in 2015, the nonprofit supports BIPOC women, nonbinary youth, foster youth, and survivors of gender-based violence by training the next generation of filmmakers and cultural workers. Through trauma-informed storytelling and real-world production experience, Justice for My Sister continues to challenge dominant narratives and reimagine a more just media ecosystem.

The evening opened with a red carpet welcoming filmmakers, activists, and community supporters. Inside, guests were treated to a lineup of original short films produced by emerging voices from the community. The showcased works covered a range of themes, including healing from violence, family resilience, and the preservation of cultural identity.

Each block of shorts, under the banner Shorts Showcasing Community, was followed by a moderated panel led by Edwin Aléxis Gómez. Filmmakers shared insights about their creative processes and the personal experiences that inspired their work.

Special guests included civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and acclaimed Chicana musician Irene Diaz, who appeared in support of the filmmakers and the larger mission of the organization.

Justice for My Sister’s film festival not only celebrated a milestone anniversary but also reaffirmed its commitment to building a future where community stories are seen, heard, and valued across media platforms.

For more information, visit: https://www.justiceformysister.org/

Below is the full list of shorts presented:

4:40pm – 6:02pm | Block 1

Title: Kalli Nepantla   

Year: 2024
Runtime: 17:54
Director(s): Textli Gallegos & Angel Gabriel Lizarraga   

Title: Chuck & Fern

Year: 2024
Runtime: 15:22
Writer/ Director: Henry Alexander Kelly

Title: Harbor

Year: 2025 World Premiere
Runtime: 4:45
Director(s): Marlene Luna-Castañeda

Title: Consent Cafeteria

Year: 2025 World Premiere
Runtime: 3:20
Director(s): Desiree Marisol Carcamo

Title: Xinachtli Music Video

Year: 2024
Runtime: 4:53
Director(s): Andy James Garcia

Title: Bad Memory

Year: 2023
Runtime: 3:27
Writer/Director(s): Ang Cruz

Title: Native Plants Documentary

Year: 2024
Runtime: 5:41
Director(s): Nate Natalia Collin

Title: Please Don’t Shoot

Year: 2025 World Premiere
Runtime: 4:30
Director(s): Evelyn Gonzalez

Title: Chimera

Year: 2024
Runtime: 18:00
Director(s): Kryzz Gautier

Title: How We Win

Year: 2024
Runtime: 3:00
Director(s): Ronnie T. Clark

7:10 – 8:11pm | Block 2

Title: Flux

Year: 2025
Runtime: 17:38
Writer/Director(s): Aaron LaMarr Burleson

Title: Ochoch

Year: 2024
Runtime: 4:58
Director(s): Marlene Luna-Castañeda

Title: Vivir

Year: 2024
Runtime: 8:55
Writer/Director(s): Gerardo Maravilla

Title: Growing

Year: 2025 World Premiere
Runtime: 4:00
Director(s): Desiree Marisol Carcamo

Title: Hatchlings (Trailer)

Year: 2025
Runtime: 00:45
Director(s): Jahmil Eady

Title: Mi Ofrenda

Year: 2024
Runtime: 4:58
Director(s): Melba Martinez   

Title: The Vibes are off: The 5D’s and signs of Abuse

Year: 2025 World Premiere
Runtime: 6:48
Director(s): Desiree Marisol Carcamo

Title: Yola

Year: 2024
Runtime: 7:58
Director/Writer/Producer: Kristina Andrez & Alejandra Quiroz

8:45PM – 9:12PM | Block 3

Title: Trokas Duras

Year: 2025
Runtime: 17:09
Director(s): Jazmin Garcia     

Title: Voice Not Forgotten

Year: 2025
Runtime: 6:49
Director(s): Adriana Bautista