Fil-Am nurses featured in US Film Festival

Untold stories of Filipino nurses featured at Napa Valley film festival

Gavin Martinez 
Inquirer.net
25 January 2025

Filipino nurses, often unsung heroes of global healthcare, take center stage in Michele Josue’s documentary, “Nurse Unseen.” 

The film delves into their selfless contributions, all while showing their courage, resilience and compassion during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simultaneously, it highlights their fight against a troubling surge in anti-Asian hate incidents.

Recently, “Nurse Unseen” has been chosen as the opening feature film for the inaugural Napa Valley Asian American Film Festival (NVAAFF). This highly anticipated event debuts on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center.

The NVAAFF aims to celebrate the vibrant and dynamic storytelling of Asian and Asian American creatives, which combines traditional filmmaking with the innovative realms of contemporary storytelling.

Co-hosted by actress and winemaker Kara Wang and actor Ryan Alexander Holmes, the festival promises a unique experience that merges cinematic brilliance with Napa Valley’s renowned charm.

Highlighting the event’s vision, “Nurse Unseen” exemplifies the festival’s commitment to amplifying untold stories. According to the press release, the festival offers attendees an immersive day of storytelling, creativity and cultural exchange. 

The lineup also features films that celebrate the diversity and innovation of Asian and Asian American voices, complemented by Napa’s signature culinary and winemaking heritage.

Among the highlights of the festival are an exploration of AI-inspired short films, which showcase how artificial intelligence is transforming the filmmaking process.

This segment highlights the potential of new technologies to expand creative freedom and democratize access to storytelling for emerging voices. 

Attendees will also be treated to a series of critically acclaimed feature films, each exploring themes of resilience, identity and community through an Asian American lens.

Additionally, the festival will feature narrative shorts, presenting personal stories that capture the complexities of human connection and cultural intersectionality.