Thirteen original short films created for The Big Tell will air on Valley PBS and the CMAC Public Channel at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

The films, including documentaries and narratives, debuted Nov. 30 at The Big Tell Showcase at the Tower Theatre. They were produced over the six-county region to tell stories celebrating the diversity and richness of the Central Valley.

The Big Tell is coordinated by the Community Media Access Channel and is in its seventh year.

“We believe that everyone has a story to tell, and everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and recognized,” CMAC executive director Bryan Harley said in a news release. “Sharing these stories helps create a more connected community with people who are informed and engaged with what’s happening — inspiring them to make their home even better.”

The Big Tell is committed to promoting diversity in supporting filmmakers and the stories they share. The fall cohort ranges from age 19 to 54; 31% are female, 53% Hispanic or Latino, 15% Asian American or South Asian, 7% Black or African American, 7% Indigenous, 7% white, and 38% amateur or student filmmakers.

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Big Tell Films and Filmmakers

Here are the 2023 Big Tell films and the filmmakers: “Ben’s Cafe” by Antonio Ramirez; “Circa ’91” by Marquis D. Perkins; “Finding Voices” by Taylor Quintanar; “Merced Pride” by Adam Lincoln Lane; “Mi Casa Es Tu Case: Manuel and Olga’s Garden” by Tim Tsai; “No te Here O Te Hiro’a/For the Love of the Culture” by Hashim Hassan; “Riding Low” by Cruz Gonzales; “To Plant a Garden” by Angelica Herandez; “Walappu’ ‘Uchutuu — Butterfly Homeplace” by Jennifer Robin; “From Disabilities to Abilities: The Green Rose Revolution” by Bill Henshaw; “Valley Skies” by Orlando Garcia; “Reaching Alcalá” by Adan Avalos; and “ZONE” by Rippin Sindher.

The Big Tell Contest is presented by KDA Creative Corps, the California Arts Council, the James B. McClatchy Foundation, and the Central Valley Community Foundation.