CJ Machado - Director/Producer/Writer
CJ Machado is an award-winning documentarian, photojournalist, and veteran advocate. Most of her work is dedicated to sharing the stories of the "Greatest Generation.” Her dedication and commitment to documenting historical events led her to train as a World War II paratrooper to capture the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. WWII paratrooper and local Coronado Island resident Tom Rice (97 then) jumped into the same drop zone as he did on D-Day for the commemoration. In celebration of Tom’s monumental Normandy Jump in 2019, the documentary called Libertas became the featured film in the “Salute to Veterans” Coronado Island International Film Festival later that year.
CJ is recognized as a passionate patriot and produces many military projects including the 11-award nominated short film “Forgotten Hero.” She is the founder and CEO of Love Amazingly Productions, Operation Call-To-Service and Force-Con. Force-Con is the largest military convention of its kind honoring the legends of aviation, World War II veterans and POW’s from all branches of service. She works relentlessly to recognize the contributions of our World War II service members before they take their final journey home and is an avid supporter of Honor Flight San Diego.
Her collaborative production partners include Speed and Angels Productions, Beyond the Call and Operation Call-To-Service.
Her most recent projects include Airborne Legacy, a tribute to Battle of the Bulge machine gunner, Vincent J. Speranza, one of the last legendary “Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Airborne Division, and Legends of Carrier Aviation in collaboration with The Tailhook Association. She is currently involved in 100 years of Carrier Aviation, and the upcoming Aces High documentaries.
She is also leading the production team with the aircraft recovery project of the sunken USS Lexington that served in the Battle of the Coral Sea known as “The Holy Grail of US Navy Aircraft” since none of the TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers survived topside after the war.
As an event producer and working with media and press relations at local, national and international levels, she has captivated audiences worldwide with gaining over 20 million views for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day involving World War II paratrooper Tom Rice and then again reaching over 10 million views for Tom's centennial jump on the legendary beaches of the Hotel del Coronado in 2021. She has strong ties with all major networks including CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox News, and the American Veteran Center.
Part of her success is attributed to choosing projects that have a historical significance and have an impact with those who appreciate their freedom and liberties.