Help Us Finish the Film

For six years, we've been following immigrant families in Storm Lake, Iowa — their work, their dreams, and the quiet sacrifices they make every day in pursuit of something better.

THE AMERICANS is almost finished. We're in the final stretch of post-production, and we need your help to bring the film across the finish line.

What We're Raising

We're running a crowdfunding campaign on Seed & Spark as part of the AAPI Renaissance Rally 2026 (March 30 – April 29). Our goal is $30,655 to cover the remaining costs of finishing the film:

  • Archival licensing

  • Errors & Omissions insurance

  • Production legal

  • The composer's score

  • Final color correction and sound mix

If we hit our benchmarks, we're eligible for up to $12,500 in matching funds from Seed & Spark — and a chance to pitch at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Why Now

At a moment when immigrant families are at the center of every political conversation but almost never part of it, this film does something different. It doesn't argue. It doesn't debate. It sits with real people — in their kitchens, at their jobs, in their classrooms — and shows what the pursuit of happiness actually looks like.

We started making this film in 2019. Since then, everything we set out to explore has only become more urgent.

How You Can Help

  1. Follow us on Seed & Spark — We need 350 followers to qualify as a finalist in the rally. Following is free and takes seconds.

  2. Pre-pledge your support — The campaign goes live on March 30, and the first 48 hours are critical. Let us know you're in so we can hit the ground running. All donations will be tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, the International Documentary Association (IDA).

  3. Spread the word — Share this page with your friends, family, and community. The more followers we have before launch, the stronger our start.

Tax-Deductible Donations

THE AMERICANS is fiscally sponsored by the International Documentary Association (IDA), which means your contribution is tax-deductible. IDA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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