Films about the people history overlooks, told by people with a stake in the story.
Documentary and narrative films about family, resilience, and community, from the Japanese American incarceration to the Eaton Fire.
Light on a Hill
NEW DOCUMENTARY SHORT · 2026
When the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, a Korean family lost their home but not their restaurant. They turned its parking lot into a place where neighbors could eat, find clothes, and find each other. Artist Robert Vargas painted a mural on its wall. Told through home footage and the voices of those who lived it.
Directed by Myles Matsuno · Produced by Myles Matsuno & Lailanie Gadia · Special appearance by Edward James Olmos
FESTIVAL RUN
LA Asian Pacific Film Festival (World Premiere)
Sacramento Asian Pacific Film Festival
Austin Asian American Film Festival
Laemmle Glendale (Theatrical run, Sept 2026)
Catalina Film Festival
Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival
Filmography
Christmas in July
Our feature debut, winner of festival awards nationwide. Now streaming on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, and YouTube.
Narrative feature, 2021
First to Go
The Kataoka family's story of World War II incarceration, told by their great-grandson. Available for educational screenings.
Documentary, New Day Films
Narrative short, 2012Ella
A short film named a Festival Gem at the Los Angeles Shorts Festival, with selections from Big Bear to Chattanooga.
My great-grandfather had a motto: honesty and kindness are best in business. I try to run this company the same way.
I started telling my family's story in First to Go because the people who lived through the Japanese American incarceration were getting older, and I didn't want their memories to disappear with them. Light on a Hill started the same way. After the Eaton Fire, I watched a family who had lost their home turn their restaurant into a place where Altadena could eat, get clothes, and find each other. I couldn't not tell it.
Every film we make comes from that impulse: someone is carrying something worth seeing, and it should be seen before it's gone.
Myles Matsuno, Founder and Director