Dear Watsonville, - Doc

Director: Sandra Lucille

Producers: Meleia Simon Reynolds, Christina Ayson Plank

Prod Co: WIITH

Illustrations: Lauren Song / Juliette Le Saint

Dear Watsonville illustrates the memories through mixed media from surviving children of a generation almost forgotten, the first Filipino migrants to arrive en masse to the U.S.

This project premiered at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History in April 2024 as part of the “Sowing Seeds” exhibition about the history of Filipino migration and labor.

We spent time with the Manong descendants in Watsonville, documenting their memories for the archive. I’m grateful to have been able to contribute to preserving these stories through film alongside the beautiful hand-drawn illustrations + animations.

Supported by Our Heritage, Our Planet, Watsonville Is In The Heart and California Arts Council | Mubi