STORY SERIES
Intersections
A mini-documentary series (and other stories) that opens a window into the complexities of Filipino identities in the diaspora.
Story Design and Strategy by Candice Quimpo
Other Credits:
Supervising Producing - Directing - Casting Oversight - Scriptwriting - Story Capture - Content Writing - Project Management
Intersections is an original production by NextDayBetter made possible by The Filipino Channel (TFC).
Young Filipino Americans are grappling with what it means to be bicultural and live and thrive in multiple worlds with multiple identities. From Middle America to Hawaii to Alaska, we need to reflect on who Filipinos are today and how they are working to better themselves and the communities around them. As we explore the intersectionality of Filipino identities taking shape as migrants and new citizens in the USA, can we go beyond identity politics that leads to cultural disconnection, community divides, and social isolation?
Challenge
A six-episode mini-documentary series featuring Filipino Americans embracing (or confronting) their intersectional identities. Complemented by personal essays and viewing events, it is designed to spark a discussion about the evolving Filipinos diaspora, highlighting the nuances and embracing diversity. Demonstrating a slice of life of millennial Filipino Americans, we relate their personal struggles to community problems, touching on intersectional issues where possible — always with empathy and care.
Approach
Vulnerable voices sharing personal struggles and revelations
Episodes exploring complex perspectives
What if there was no sexual shame?
“My best vision for the world is every single human being on the planet gets educated about sex, their bodies, and has a place that’s safe to talk about their sexuality with during their hardest times.”
I tried to pray the gay away
“It’s so easy to be hopeless. It’s so easy to give up. We need to love one another more deeply and fiercely than this world hates us.”
Our roots are our superpowers
“My kids are 100% Filipino and 100% Athabascan. And if people say that doesn’t make sense, we teach our kids that it doesn’t need to make sense because superpowers don’t make sense.”
Mom, I’m going to DJ full-time
“A lot of my process comes from just honoring how ridiculous whatever I’ve come up with may sound and then finding a way to get it done and putting together the right minds to get it done.”
Shaping surfboards to heal my heart
“This is a playground if you take advantage of everything around, especially the community. And surf is free! I don’t gotta pay nobody.”
There are no more teachers
“They think I’m taking away their jobs. But I’m also helping, you know? I’m filling this teacher shortage here. If nobody will be in this position, nobody will help these kids.”