(L to R) Festival Co-Director David Magdael, Abel Inocencio, Don Muna, Festival Co-Director and Promgrammer Abe Ferrer, Kel Muna, Matthew Blas and Michael Muna

It’s been about a week since Don and I got back from L.A. and I’ve been hard-pressed to get myself back to any sort of regular routine. It’s been quite a journey. Although we didn’t take home the Grand Jury Award, again, it was already an honor just to have been included with the caliber of films in the category and to have had the opportunity to represent our film and our home. So no long faces!

Our first official greeting was from Festival Co-Director Abe Ferrer as he saw us during the opening ceremonies and said, “Hey, my Chamorros are in the house!” The experience for us was very productive and full of learning while soaking up all the info we could to take back home.

Our duties have been fulfilled in L.A. by promoting Guam and our local talent to anyone that would listen – this included many industry folk from all around the world such as award-winning writers, producers, directors, publicists, industry guilds, world famous bloggers, movie-fanatics, film festival directors visiting from other festivals, other artists and through various interviews as well. And none of it would’ve been possible without the support of everyone that helped to make it happen.

So, on behalf of Don and myself, we want to officially thank everyone who has contributed to both the successful online fundraiser and to the successful “L.A. or BUST!” fundraiser at Ralphy’s! The fundraisers even made the Marianas Variety! (READ ARTICLE HERE) and PDN’s PIKA (READ ARTICLE HERE). The turnout was amazing! From the fire dancers to the bands to the great art being up for auction to the food and the amazing raffle prizes – it was a great, positive vibe and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. It was great to see all that talent on one stage. Bravo!

We’re extremely touched by the turnout and support from our communities, families and friends and it’s because of you that we were able to do our best to promote Guam and her artists while out in L.A.

First and foremost, we must give a HUGE THANK YOU to our marketing manager, Dee Cruz – an unbelievable cat! And please don’t chop any heads off with the sword!

Thank You to the Guam Council of the Arts & Humanities (CAHA) & Pat Bamba for believing in and supporting the efforts of getting to the fest!

Also to the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) for sponsoring our participation at the fest in Los Angeles. Thank you for the unanimous support!

In addition, BIG THANKS to FokaI Familia as well. Thank you Rome and Ton for making the trip out to see the flick in L.A.

Thanks to the musicians that shared their talent: Brandi Jae Aguon, Acoustic Soul, Going Green, Crossing Lanes, Meseha, D.U.B., 2 Weeks Notice, Blame Adam, Freedom Fries and Matala.

Thanks to all of the kind-hearted radio stations and their hosts for sharing their air!

And of course to all artists, poets, business contributors, volunteers and you! We sincerely thank you all for donating your talent, time, effort and resources.

Also, thanks to all of you that came out for the screening in L.A.! CLICK HERE to CHECK THEM OUT!

HUGE THANKS to the Blas family in Simi Valley for putting us up and for the unbelievable FOOD and Chamorro hospitality! Matthew and family were extremely great hosts and took very good care of us all and although we were thousands of miles away, they made us feel right at home.

Thank you all. Si Yu’us Ma’ase.

We’ve posted up some pics from the Los Angeles Asian Pacific film Festival here on Flickr: CLICK HERE