Private Project

Visibilizing Queer Pinays in Southern California

This moving and inspiring ethnographic documentary chronicles Menchie, Jerrica, Barbara, Karen, Cheryll, Grace, Maria, Joni and Joy, nine queer Filipino American women living in regions of Orange County, Inland Empire, San Diego, and Los Angeles. They share stories of self-discovery and diversity about their identities while representing the multiple perspectives of queer Pinays in Southern California. Trigger warning: Includes topics of suicide and assault.

  • Karen Marie Maliwat Villa
    Director
  • Menchie Caliboso
    Key Cast
  • Jerrica Escoto
    Key Cast
  • Barbara Dube
    Key Cast
  • Karen Villa
    Key Cast
  • Cheryll Reft
    Key Cast
  • Grace Baraan
    Key Cast
  • Maria Vallarta
    Key Cast
  • Joni Soller
    Key Cast
  • Joy Pumar
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Feature, Student, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Drama, Comedy, Education
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 4 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 16, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Karen Marie Maliwat Villa

Karen Marie Villa graduated from UC Berkeley in Asian American Studies and from CSU San Marcos with an M.A. in Sociological Practice. She has worked with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the non-profit sector on gender and sexuality and with youth in education and probation. As a filmmaker, she interrogates at social issues of inequality and her writing can be found in community-produced publications such as The Pin@y Radical Imaginary Reader (forthcoming), TAYO Literary Magazine, As/Us: Women of the World, and Pochino Press.

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Director Statement

Karen Marie Villa graduated from UC Berkeley in Asian American Studies and from CSU San Marcos with an M.A. in Sociological Practice. She has worked with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the non-profit sector on gender and sexuality and with youth in education and probation. As a filmmaker, she interrogates at social issues of inequality and her writing can be found in community-produced publications such as The Pin@y Radical Imaginary Reader (forthcoming), TAYO Literary Magazine, As/Us: Women of the World, and Pochino Press.