2ND PLACE - Latest Generation Film Contest
2ND PLACE
In the Footsteps of My Family
Davis Lee
Los Angeles, California
"In the Footsteps of My Family began as a personal question: how did my family get here, and what did it cost them to build the life I’ve always known? Growing up, my grandfather’s immigration story and my mom’s experience as a Korean American were always present, but never fully explained. I knew pieces of their journey, but not the emotional weight behind it. This film is my attempt to understand those sacrifices and preserve them before they fade with time. My grandfather immigrated from Korea to the United States in search of opportunity, stability, and a future for his family. Like many immigrants, he left behind familiarity, language, and comfort for uncertainty. My mom, growing up as a Korean American, lived between two identities. She carried the expectations of her parents’ culture while also adapting to American society. Through this film, I wanted to explore not just what they experienced, but how those experiences shaped who I am today. My motivation for making this film comes from a fear of losing these stories. As generations pass, memories can disappear. Film gives me the ability to preserve their voices, expressions, and emotions in a way that written history cannot. I wanted to capture the quiet strength behind their sacrifices and show that immigration is not just a political topic, but a deeply personal human experience."