In 2012 we produced an award-winning local documentary entitled “Homeless Not Hopeless (In The Happiest Place In America)”. This documentary was part of a larger campaign to shed light on who the homeless are, their daily struggles and most importantly to change stereotypes of who is or can become homeless. This documentary showcases the stories of a diverse range of local residents who have demonstrated resiliency in the face of adversity.  In March of 2012 the documentary won “Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase: Best Feature Film” at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. A broader campaign and website (www.homelessnothopeless.net) was also launched to give the community more information about the scope of homelessness and actions that can be taken to tackle this issue. Since March, the documentary has been screened at over eight various community events. Christina has volunteered her time to organize and present at these successful events and her vision and leadership has contributed to an increased momentum at both the County and SLO City level in tackling the issue of homelessness.

In 2014 we produced a documentary titled “The Magic Behind OperaSLO’s First Musical Production” This documentary is about Opera San Luis Obispo’s first musical production, ‘Show Boat’. This film features interviews with some of the cast, crew and the different arts organizations involved in bringing this wonderful production to life at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo. Also, video highlights from the performance and rehearsals are seamlessly overlaid. The film has been selected to be in the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival 2015.

We also produced a video about the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial.

Some words about the video from the Board President of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association:

Throughout my professional career in broadcasting, media, public and government relations, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many local and national commercial news organizations and media production companies. All of them got the job done, but a select few stood out with their creativity, passion and production excellence.

Highlight Media is outstanding.

In August 2011, the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association held a dedication ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 276-foot long Memorial Wall – one foot for every Bainbridge Island Japanese American at the start of WWII – built on the historic road were they were the first of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans to be forcibly removed to concentration camps.

Since local and regional media covered our event, I began searching the internet for news stories and video coverage and I was surprised to discover a beautifully produced video of the Memorial Wall by Highlight Media. I was stunned by what I saw. Highlight Media created a sensitive, expertly crafted and produced homage about the Memorial Wall that hit that rare sweet spot of both informing the mind and touching the soul.

Highlight Media’s video is in reality a beautiful virtual tour of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Wall, which I felt could be very valuable for us as we move forward to complete the remaining two phases of our project, an interpretive/visitors center and departure pier.

Highlight Media graciously and generously allowed the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association to use their video of our Memorial Wall. We have and will continue to proudly show Highlight Media’s video at community festivals and events, including being shown on demand at our local history museum and on our website. At every viewing, Highlight Media’s video has proven to be a powerful, effective and moving way to reach out to the greater public, creating excitement and interest and, perhaps most importantly, earning invaluable personal and financial support for our project.

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association is eternally grateful for Highlight Media’s outstanding, beautiful work which so respectfully honors the people and community for whom we were created and are dedicated to serve.

Clarence Moriwaki

Board Member and President

Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association