POMONA VALLEY PRIDE
A PLACE TO BELONG
A Place to Belong is a short documentary exploring diversity, immigration, and community identity in Pomona, California. Through murals, music, and lived voices, the film celebrates the people who have shaped the city’s history while honoring those who continue the fight for visibility, equality, and belonging.
Beginning with Havana’s cultural richness as a metaphor for coexistence, the story moves into Pomona Valley Pride, where voices demand recognition and unity. The mural at the heart of the film, created through community collaboration, becomes a canvas that ties together heritage, activism, and resilience. Featuring figures like Marsha P. Johnson, Dolores Huerta, and Tina Calderon, the documentary blends archival footage, drone cinematography, and local storytelling to show that belonging is both a personal feeling and a collective act.
Narrative & Themes
Heritage & Tradition — celebrating culture, architecture, and the history of migration
Rights & Equality — Pride voices calling for LGBTQ+ recognition and inclusion
Community & Belonging — families, artists, and volunteers uniting through art and action
Activism Through Art — murals as living archives that connect past struggles to present hope
Credits
Film by: Mateus Martins
Executive Producer: Eric Michael
In Association With: Pomona Valley Pride
Executive Producer: Eric Michael
In Association With: Pomona Valley Pride
Drone Shots: Cesar Mendez
Tongva Mother Earth Song (Composer): Tina Calderon
Ancestor Song (Composer): Joe Calderon
Tongva Mother Earth Song (Composer): Tina Calderon
Ancestor Song (Composer): Joe Calderon
Featuring: Frank Guzman, Bridgette Carrillo, Kayleen Rauseo, Jean Valenzuela, Camila Cho,
Isaiah Barra, Jesus Lopez, Jaime Guerrero, Chloe Rivera, Brookelynn Maddox
Isaiah Barra, Jesus Lopez, Jaime Guerrero, Chloe Rivera, Brookelynn Maddox
