Community Media Access Collaborative has announced the winners of its ninth annual The Big Tell film contest. Each will each receive a $5,000 grant.

The 10 local filmmakers will have three months to use the funds and produce a short documentary detailing a Central Valley story.

The winners are Silvia Gonzalez S., Naindeep Singh, Kristin Lesko, Jeremy Miller, Marcos Dorado, Karina E. Turner, Debra Youngquist, Christine Rose, Adam Perez, and Jackie Schuster.

Their work will premiere at the Big Tell Showcase in November.

“We believe that everyone has a story to tell, and everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and recognized,” CMAC Executive Director Bryan Harley said. “These stories create a more connected and informed community, inspiring people to take action and make a positive difference in the Central Valley.”

Alongside the grant, the winners will receive one-on-one mentoring from the award-winning filmmaker and CMAC Education Specialist Angelica Hernandez.

This year, the filmmakers also will participate in a career development seminar with Emmy-nominated documentarian Sascha Brown Rice, founder and president of Fire of Life Films.

Additionally, CMAC will provide annual memberships, ongoing technical assistance and access to a full range of production tools and training.

Record-Breaking Number of Applicants

The judges selected the winners from a record-breaking pool of 146 applicants who submitted film concepts this year.

CMAC received applications, proposing an “undiscovered story”, from the across the six-county region: Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties.

A panel of judges evaluated the applications based on criteria including film subject, diversity of stories and perspectives, and how the film will contribute to the narrative of the Central Valley.

“I was extremely impressed by the passion, originality, and heart behind every submission we received. It was a privilege to see the vibrant and diverse community of the Central Valley through their eyes,” Hernandez said. “I’m honored to work with this year’s grantees and look forward to supporting them as they bring their films to life.”

The Big Tell Film Contest Winners

Silvia Gonzolez S. will focus on how retirees in Hanford are rejuvenating the community by taking a leap into the arts in “Retired and Inspired: A Town Transformed by Senior Creativity.”

In The West Was Ours Too: From Forgotten to Khalra’s Fresno,” Naindeep Singh will showcase immigrant communities building a new future and championing change west of Highway 99.

Kristin Lesko’s “Still in Print” will follow Greg and Nicole Little, the owners the Mariposa Gazette. The documentary aims to offer a hopeful glimpse into independent local journalism in the digital age.

Jeremy Miller will show the impact of culture and dance in “Rhythm in Motion, Culture in Power,” a documentary about Fresno State’s first-ever collegiate majorette team.

Marcos Dorado plans to highlight the Madera drive-in as its owner battles to keep doors open amidst streaming services and modern cinemas in “The Reel Story: The Madera Drive-In.”

Karina E. Turner’s “Laotian Celebration” will follow a Merced woman as she fights to create an annual Laotian Celebration parade.

In “Happy Trails: Where Every Stride Transforms,” Debra Youngquist will showcase a horse-riding academy in Tulare County that is transforming the lives of children and adults with disabilities and veterans.

Christine Rose will follow Filipino American scholar and descendant of the Delano Manongs, Devon Antonio, as he looks for answers in archives and ancestral graves in “Stories in the Soil: Where the Delano Manongs’ Rest, Their Stories Rise.”

“The Last King,” produced by Adam Perez, will follow Elise Saldana/ “El Dana”, an 80-year-old drag king who works by day and preps for a one of her biggest performances at night.

Jackie Schuster’s “Growing Forward” will look at community members coming together amidst threats of drought and agricultural struggles in Tulare and Merced Counties.