On May 18, 2024, "I Am Chamorro" reached a milestone when it aired on KVCR, the PBS station serving Southern California's Inland Empire region. This broadcast brought Chamorro history and culture into thousands of homes, many of whose residents had limited prior exposure to Pacific Islander communities.
The PBS broadcast was part of the station's commitment to diverse programming that reflects the multicultural fabric of Southern California. KVCR's programmers recognized the importance of indigenous Pacific Islander narratives and worked with us to schedule the documentary during prime viewing hours, followed by information about how viewers could access educational materials and support our nonprofit mission.
Response from viewers was overwhelmingly positive. The station received numerous calls and emails from educators asking about classroom use, from Chamorro community members expressing gratitude for the representation, and from viewers of all backgrounds who were moved by the film and eager to learn more about Chamorro culture and history.
This broadcast represents an important step in our mission to bring Chamorro stories beyond our immediate community and into broader public consciousness. We are currently in discussions with other PBS stations and educational broadcasters about additional airings. Public television provides an invaluable platform for documentary filmmakers working on cultural and educational content, and we are grateful to KVCR for their support and partnership.