BULOSAN: ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, Part 3 (English Subtitles)
N.B. For the version containing Spanish subtitles, go to: https://filmfreeway.com/BULOSAN_Spanish_Subtitles
For the original version with no subtitles, go to:
https://filmfreeway.com/Bulosan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Logline: A defense of American democracy against worldwide fascism & domestic racism on words by Carlos Bulosan as hybrid dramatic music video & documentary.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A montage music video for Part 3 of Bulosan: On American Democracy for Narrator, Wind Symphony, and Fixed Media (2021, rev. 2023). Completed in March 2025.
***Winner of OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY FILM***
2025 TRILLVISION Winter Drop Film Festival (Los Angeles, California, USA)
2026 American Motion Pictures Festival (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
***Winner of BEST MUSIC VIDEO***
2025 SacFilmChallenge Music & Film Festival (Sacramento, California, USA)
2025 Cinema Royale Film Festival: Paris Edition (France)
2025 London Vision Film Festival (England, UK)
2025 Tripville Global Online Cinefest (India)
2025 Boden International Film Festival (Sweden)
2026 Texas Documentary Film Festival (Austin, Texas, USA)
2026 Nyack International Film Festival (Nyack, New York, USA)
***Winner of BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM***
2026 Florence Film Awards (Italy)
2026 Asian Independent Film Festival (India)
2026 Milan Gold Awards (Italy)
***Winner of the Crisostomo Ibarra Award for BEST SCREENWRITING***
2025 Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA)
***Winner of BEST AMERICAN FILM***
2026 Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festival (Turkey)
***Winner of the Harmonia Award for BEST SOUNDTRACK***
2026 Selene International Short Film Festival, Lumen Edition (Greece)
***Winner of BEST EDUCATIONAL FILM***
2025 Crown Wood International Film Festival (India)
2026 Bangkok Movie Awards (Thailand)
***Winner of the AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD***
2025 Lift-Off Global Network / First-Time Filmmaker Sessions, Volume 11 (England, UK)
Bulosan: On American Democracy draws inspiration from selected excerpts from two important literary works written by the Filipino-American labor activist and writer, Carlos Bulosan (1913-1956), who was based in California and Washington State in the 1930s and 40s. In both his semi-autobiographical novel, America is in the Heart (1946), and the essay, “Freedom from Want” (1943), the author wrote on themes about the preservation of American democracy at a time when it was under threat by the rise of Fascism in Western Europe, Authoritarian Communism in the Soviet Union, and rampant racism at home.
Bulosan: On American Democracy won 1st place in the 2023 American Prize for Wind Ensemble Composition, University-Level division, as well as 2nd place among Social Justice-related content compositions. It is included in ABLAZE Records' Wind Orchestra Masters, Vol. 1 album, released in Summer 2024.
--------------------------------------------
The complete 25-minute commercial audio recording by ABLAZE RECORDS is free for streaming:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WivV6w3OoI8
---------------------------------------------
The PDF copy of the full musical score is free and may be downloaded at the composer website, along with a short analysis of the musical symbolism.
https://andresrluz.weebly.com/bulosan-project.html
-
Andres LuzDirectorBULOSAN: ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
-
Carlos Sampayan BulosanWriterBULOSAN: ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
-
Andres LuzComposerBULOSAN: ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
-
CCM Wind Symphony University of CincinnatiSoundtrack
-
Kevin Michael HolzmanSoundtrackConductor
-
Erik NordstromSoundtrackNarrator
-
Douglas KnehansProducerABLAZE RECORDS, President
-
Joel CrawfordProducerABLAZE RECORDS, Recording Engineer
-
Project Type:Documentary, Experimental, Music Video, Short
-
Runtime:12 minutes 5 seconds
-
Completion Date:March 15, 2025
-
Production Budget:100 USD
-
Country of Origin:United States
-
Language:English
-
Film Color:Color
-
First-time Filmmaker:Yes
-
Student Project:No
-
Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
-
SacFilmChallenge Music & Film FestivalSacramento, California
United States
September 20, 2025
World Premiere
Winner - Best Music Video -
TRILLVISION: 2025 Winter Drop Film FestivalNorth Hollywood, California
United States
December 13, 2025
LA/Southern California Premiere
Winner - Outstanding Documentary Film -
American Motion Pictures FestivalAtlanta, Georgia
United States
August 15, 2026
Winner - Outstanding Documentary Short Film -
Florence Film AwardsFlorence, Tuscany
Italy
March 5, 2026
Winner - Best Experimental Film -
Asian Independent Film FestivalKolkata, West Bengal
India
May 3, 2026
Winner - Best Experimental Film; Finalist - Best Film Score -
Milan Gold AwardsMilano, Lombardia
Italy
April 5, 2026
Winner - Best Experimental Film -
Las Vegas Filipino Short Film FestivalLas Vegas, Nevada
United States
October 25, 2025
Nevada Premiere
Winner - Crisostomo Ibarra Award for Best Screenplay; Nominee - Crisostomo Ibarra Award for Best Musical Score -
Texas Documentary Film FestivalAustin, Texas
United States
April 11, 2026
Texas Premiere
Winner - Best Documentary Music Video Award -
Nyack International Film FestivalNyack, New York
United States
March 22, 2026
Winner - Best Music Video -
Cinema Royale Film Festival: Paris EditionParis
France
October 31, 2025
French Premiere
Winner - Best Music Video -
London Vision Film FestivalLondon, England
United Kingdom
November 3, 2025
Concurrent British Premiere
Winner - Best Music Video -
Tripvill Global Online CinefestKolkata, West Bengal
India
December 5, 2025
India Premiere
Winner - Best Music Video -
Boden International Film FestivalBoden, Norrbotten
Sweden
January 31, 2026
Winner - Best Music Video -
Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festivalİstanbul, Asya Yakasi
Türkiye
March 15, 2026
Winner - Best American Film -
Selene International Short Film Festival, Lumen EditionAthens
Greece
February 2, 2026
Greece Premiere
Winner - Harmonia Award for Best Soundtrack -
Crown Wood International Film FestivalKolkata, West Bengal
India
March 1, 2026
Winner - Best Educational Film -
Bangkok Movie AwardsBangkok
Thailand
March 14, 2026
Southeast Asian Premiere/Thailand
Winner - Best Educational Film -
Lift-Off Global Network / First-Time Filmmaker Sessions, Volume 11Pinewood Studios, England
United Kingdom
November 3, 2025
Concurrent British Premiere
Winner - Audience Choice Award -
New York Movie AwardsNew York City, New York
United States
March 5, 2026
Silver Award - Experimental Film -
Paris Film AwardsParis
France
March 5, 2026
Silver Award - Experimental Film -
Beyond Border International Film FestivalKolkata, West Bengal
India
January 11, 2026
Finalist - Best Film Score; Honorable Mention - Debut Filmmaker -
Nikola Tesla Film FestivalLas Vegas, Nevada
United States
January 7, 2026
Finalist - Best Experimental/Innovative Film -
Stockholm City Film FestivalStockholm
Sweden
November 16, 2025
Swedish premiere
Finalist - Best Music Video -
The InterCultural Voices Film Festival of Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
United States
July 14, 2026
Finalist - Best Music-Driven Film -
East Village New York Film FestivalNew York City, New York
United States
February 22, 2026
New York City Premiere
Finalist - Best Indie Short Film (Low Budget) -
AJR VISION - Festival de Cine IndependienteValencia and Bilbao
Spain
December 9, 2025
Spanish Premiere
Nominee - Best Documentary Short -
BFPQ Berlin Film & Photo QuarterlyBerlin
Germany
February 28, 2026
Nominee - Best Short Film -
Hollywood Verge Film AwardsBurbank, California
United States
November 17, 2025
Nominee - Best Music Video -
Las Vegas Music Video AwardsLas Vegas, Nevada
United States
February 2, 2026
Nominee - Best Social Commentary -
Digital Griffix Film AwardsMontréal, Québec
Canada
Canadian Premiere
Nominee - Best Music Video -
Diwa Filipino Film Festival of SeattleSeattle, Washington
United States
Honorable Mention - Best Music Video -
Santa Fe Springs Film FestivalSanta Fe Springs, California
United States
April 25, 2026
Honorable Mention -
Hollywood Gold AwardsLos Angeles, California
United States
March 5, 2026
Honorable Mention - Original Score -
Athens International Monthly Art Film FestivalAthens
Greece
Honorable Mention - Best Music Video -
Reale Film FestivalCinisello Balsamo, Milano
Italy
Honorable Mention-Best Editing -
Paradise Film FestivalCologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
Germany
October 3, 2025
European Premiere
Official Selection -
Eger Short Film CompetitionEger, Heves
Hungary
Semi-Finalist -
World Culture Festival KarachiKarachi, Sindh
Pakistan
November 15, 2025
South Asian/Pakistan Premiere
Official Selection -
Eastern Europe Film FestivalCraiova
Romania
December 2, 2025
Eastern European Premiere
Official Selection -
JCK - El Kantaoui Film FestivalPort El Kantaoui, Sousse
Tunisia
December 27, 2025
North African/Tunisian Premiere
Official Selection -
Quillota International Film Festival, VI FICQUILLOTAQuillota, Valparaíso
Chile
December 27, 2025
South American / Chilean Premiere
Official Selection -
Wolf Media FestivalOrlanda, Florida
United States
Florida Premiere
Official Selection -
Rivers International Film FestivalPort Harcourt, Rivers State
Nigeria
October 29, 2026
West African/Nigerian Premiere
Official Selection -
Apollo Global Music AwardsAthens
Greece
September 15, 2026
Official Selection -
Anatolia International Film Festivalİstanbul
Türkiye
February 10, 2026
Turkish premiere
Official Selection -
Manchester Lift-Off Film FestivalManchester, England
United Kingdom
March 2, 2026
Official Selection -
İstanbul International Spring Film FestivalSariyer, İstanbul
Türkiye
April 11, 2026
Official Selection -
Short Way International Short Film FestivalSão Paulo
Brazil
Official Selection -
Inner City Short Film FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
November 4, 2026
Official Selection -
Diwa at Pagdiriwang: 2026 Filipino Film ShowcaseSeattle, Washington
United States
June 6, 2026
Northwestern U.S./Washington State Premiere
Official Selection -
2026 International Cultural Journal Film AwardLviv, Lviv Oblast
Ukraine
May 14, 2026
Ukrainian Premiere
Official Selection -
Max Sir International Film FestivalLviv, Lviv Oblast
Ukraine
September 12, 2026
Screenings in 100 Ukrainian schools / communities on the frontline
Official Selection - Cinema in Schools Program -
The Eudaimonia Project Film FestivalPikesville, Maryland
United States
July 24, 2026
Mid-Atlantic/Maryland Premiere
Official Selection -
2023 American Prize in Music CompositionDanbury, Connecticut
United States
Winner - Wind Ensemble Composition, College/University-Level Division
Runner-Up - Social Justice-Related Works, College/University-Level Division
Harnessing the chugging, energetic sounds of contemporary postmodernism as a starting point, Andres R. Luz develops his artistic idiom from the legacy of music history stretching back to medieval and Renaissance stylistic practices, up to those of the present-day.
Andres Luz studied with Jeffrey Miller at California State University, East Bay (B.A. Music, magna cum laude, 2013) and taken private studies in electroacoustic music with Ian Dicke, as well as master classes with Hannah Lash, P.Q. Phan, Zae Munn, Paul Salerni, and Melinda Wagner. Andres Luz completed the Master of Music Composition at the University of Redlands in 2016, studying with Anthony Suter.
In 2022, Andres Luz completed the Doctorate in Musical Arts in Composition at the University of Georgia (UGA), Athens, studying with Peter Van Zandt Lane, Adrian Childs, and Emily Koh. Andres Luz also served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Theory and Electronic Music Composition at the University of Redlands and as the assistant of the Dancz Center of New Music at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at UGA.
His music has been played internationally and notably by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Wind Symphony of the College-Conservatory at the University of Cincinnati. Among his electroacoustic pieces, Andres Luz’s 2017 fixed media work, Premonitions, Landscape at Twilight was selected to be featured on MUSLAB-Cero Records’ album, PLANETA COMPEJO, Volume 4, released in January 2024.
Among the works for large ensemble, Dr. Luz’s dissertation composition project, BULOSAN: ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY for Narrator, Wind Symphony, and Fixed Media (2021, rev. 2023), won the 2023 American Prize in Wind Ensemble Composition, and 2nd Prize in Social Justice-related content, College/University-Level Wind Ensemble Division. The work is included in ABLAZE Records’ Wind Orchestra Masters vol. 1 album which Fanfare Magazine’s Ken Meltzer described as “an eloquent and moving work, one I recommend heartily.” In another review by Colin Clarke, Bulosan is lauded as "expertly structured and emotionally powerful," while Natalie Szabo writes that the album documents a "masterful ensemble performance. Five stars."
Andres Luz is a member of ASCAP, SEAMUS, Millennium Composers Initiative, and Society of Composers, Inc., and is published by Murphy Music Press and Post-Classical Music.
BULOSAN: ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY is a unique hybrid work, somewhere in between historical documentary, music video, dramatic narrative, and montage filmmaking. I completed the 12-minute short film in March 2025 as an extension of my 2022 doctoral dissertation project in music composition from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. As the short film focuses upon themes of inclusion and equality, it uses a high level of visual storytelling to examine the recent threats to democracy and personal liberty, thereby illustrating democracy’s fragility and need for responsible civic action to ensure its continued resilience.
The music, played by the talented musicians of the Wind Symphony of the College-Conservatory of the University of Cincinnati, led by Kevin Holzman and narrated by Erik Nordstrom, is a poignant counterpoint to the author’s words. Whether presented in the concert hall or at the cinema, the work has proven to inspire and enlighten audiences through its examination of history and current events, fostering much-needed discussion and reflection on the current sociopolitical zeitgeist in the U.S.
Prospects of completing the Bulosan project by producing a film based on Parts 1 & 2 of the musical composition are being investigated and will depend on locating adequate funding, staffing, and resources.