Shaping History: A Month of Impactful Documentaries

CMAC is spotlighting captivating documentaries for the month of July. This month’s documentaries will educate, inspire, and give you a deeper understanding of the varied topics aired on our channels.

Our Daily Bread: The Last Panadero | Adan Avalos
A poetic documentary about family unity, love for community, and the last neighborhood delivery breadman.

El Poder of a Classroom | Daniela Maciel, Youth Voices 2022
In “El Poder of a Classroom,” a high school student explores the education challenges faced by Hispanic-Latino communities. Immigrant parents, labor experiences, and cultural complexities shape the pursuit of higher education. This introspective narrative prompts reflection on equity and the need for change.

First of Many | Alex Soto
“First of Many” is a compelling documentary produced by Alex Soto, spotlighting the inspiring journeys of first-generation college students. Their determination to break barriers and forge a path of opportunity not only transforms their own lives but also paves the way for future generations.

The Steam | Matt Mealer
In the shadow of Yosemite National Park, the youngest and oldest crew members of a historic steam railroad reflect on their passion for their craft and its future in an uncertain world. This documentary is an extended director’s cut of a film created for the 2020 “Big Tell” grant program, sponsored by the Central Valley Community Foundation and the James B. McClatchy Foundation. A shorter version debuted in October 2020. Many thanks to the management and staff of the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad for helping to make this project possible.

Untold Stories: Portuguese-Americans Along the 99 Corridor | Diniz Borges
A documentary on the Portuguese-American legacy in the San Joaquin Valley.

Murmuration: A Story of a Mural | Arte Américas
This documentary tells the story of the efforts and inspiration to create a massive 5-story mural on the historic Fresno Bee building to honor the writers and poets of the Central Valley.

The History of Hockey in Fresno | Darren Redmond
A documentary on the very rich history of the 60 years of hockey in the Fresno area, from the days of the Green and Bold to the evolution to the current-day Fresno Monsters.

Bearer of the Morning |Chickasaw Nation Productions
This one-hour documentary highlights Te Ata’s extraordinary life as a Chickasaw woman with talent and passion that opened the eyes and hearts of the world to American Indian culture. The documentary details how Te Ata transcended cultural and racial barriers to create a lasting legacy during a career that spanned more than 60 years.