Firelight Media, PBS and the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) have revealed the completed short films that will screen in the new season of the short-form documentary strand ‘Homegrown: Future Visions,’ which premieres next Thursday (May 4) across PBS’ digital platforms, with a new film dropping every subsequent Thursday.

Produced in partnership with PBS and with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the ‘Homegrown’ initiative — which was piloted in 2020 under the label ‘Hindsight,’ and was first announced in its present form in March of last year — comprises eight short films made by emerging BIPOC filmmakers that explore the histories, cultures and possible futures of ethnic communities across the American Midwest. The strand is presented as part of Firelight Media’s Regional Initiatives program and Groundwork Regional Lab, which are designed to support filmmakers of color from under-represented regions in the U.S. and U.S. territories.

As part of the program, the filmmakers participating in this season, whose projects were jointly selected by PBS, Firelight Media and CAAM, received mentorship from established independent filmmakers, and were paired with a local media station to provide editorial guidance and audience engagement support within their respective communities.

The full collection of shorts screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival in March, as well as at the Milwaukee Film Festival in April. Individual films from the program have also screened at several festivals around the world.

An exclusive trailer for the series is below, followed by details of all eight films in the series, which are arranged in order of their digital premieres across PBS’ platforms. Loglines are provided by PBS.

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Black Strings
Director: Marquise Mays

A string orchestra in Milwaukee, Wisconsin redefines what it means to be a first responder.

Seed Warriors
Director: Rebekka Schlichting

Pawnee seed keepers work with Nebraska farmers to revive their sacred and ancient corn.

Detroit We Dey
Director: Ozi Uduma

A Nigerian community in Detroit explores the past and future of their vibrant social club.

Lifetimes
Director: Amber Love

A third-generation community leader in Lansing, Michigan continues the fight for racial equity.

Here, Hopefully
Director: Hao Zhou

A Chinese, non-binary aspiring nurse seeks to build a gender-affirming life in Iowa.

Guaranteed in Gary
Director: Darryl Parham

A guaranteed income experiment in Gary, Indiana helps to stabilize the lives of residents.

Silsilad (Sequence)
Director: Tariq Tarey

Explore the Soomaal House of Art in Minneapolis, the nation’s first Somali-American art center.

Language Keepers
Director: Ajuawak Kapashesit

Indigenous people in Minnesota attempt to revitalize their language through technology.