GERM
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Documentary, Family
Two decades after his brother’s gang-related death, social worker J.R. embarks on an intimate journey with his father and brother's teenage son through grief, cultural identity, and healing, revealing a story that honors the sacrifices and resilience of many Southeast Asian families in California.
GERM
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Documentary, Family
1 Campaigns | California, United States
76 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$7,023
Goal: $15,000 for production
Two decades after his brother’s gang-related death, social worker J.R. embarks on an intimate journey with his father and brother's teenage son through grief, cultural identity, and healing, revealing a story that honors the sacrifices and resilience of many Southeast Asian families in California.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
GERM follows J.R. Angeles as he begins a deeply personal journey to reconnect with his Filipino-American family, nearly 20 years after the gang-related murder of his older brother, Jerem–also known as Germ. As J.R. seeks to understand who his brother really was, he opens up long overdue conversations about grief, the clash between American gang culture and traditional Filipino values, and how his brother’s death shaped each family member in different ways.
This documentary uncovers the often overlooked realities faced by Southeast Asian immigrant families in California during the 90's and early 2000's—experiences shaped by racism, poverty, and a desperate search for belonging. Germ, like many others, was drawn into gang culture not out of violence, but community. This film seeks to humanize those stories.
Now a social worker, J.R. uses the tools of healing to reconnect with his parents and with Germ’s son, DJ, who never knew his father. As three generations come together, we witness the painful, beautiful work of breaking cycles and building new bonds
Asian American stories are gaining visibility—but Southeast Asian narratives, especially those that touch on poverty, gang life, and grief, are still left out. GERM brings these stories to the surface, challenging the model minority myth at a time when nuance and truth are more essential than ever.
***We are asking for $15,000 to help cover our production costs this summer***
(including fair wages for our talented crew, equipment rental, and travel expenses)
This story is personal, but it’s not unique. Too many families carry generational pain in silence. GERM is a call to listen, talk, and reconnect.
This film centers the underrepresented voices of Southeast Asian Americans and challenges the model minority myth by revealing a truth that’s raw, complex, and deeply human.
Your donation helps us finish production, share this story with the world, and empower others to speak their truths.
We are currently in the middle of production and plan to finish the film with meticulously designed reenactments and animation to elevate our visual storytelling.
Should we amazingly reach our goal of $15,000 in production fund, every additional dollar will go directly toward bringing the film to completion. Here's how your continued support will help:
- Post-Production ($10,000): Includes editing, animation, sound design, color correction, music composition, and final mastering to ensure the film is polished, powerful, and ready for audiences.
- Marketing & Outreach ($3500): To create impactful visuals, trailers, press kits, and targeted outreach campaigns that help the film reach wider audiences—especially communities that connect personally with our themes.
- Film Festival Submissions ($1500): Entry fees, shipping, and promotional materials to bring our film to top festivals and community screenings where it can spark dialogue and build momentum.
- Pledge: No contribution is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to our goal.
- Follow: Please click the button to "follow" our project right here on Seed&Spark. ***The more followers we have, the more eligible we become for some of Seed&Spark's incentives.
- Share: Spread the word on social media, through email, or just by talking to a friend.
Follow our journey on Instagram @germdocumentary
Thank you!
GERM is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent, a non-profit independent media arts organization. Film Independent will receive grants for the charitable purposes of GERM, provide oversight to ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with grant agreements, and provide reports as required by the grantor. Contributions for the charitable purposes of GERM must be made payable to Film Independent and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Talents Fee for Reenactment
Costs $1,500
To compensate actors who help portray powerful moments from our participants’ lives in reenactment scenes.
Hard Drives for Footage Backup
Costs $600
To safely store and back up all raw footage, interviews, and reenactments in 3 high-quality hard drives.
Film Equipment Rentals
Costs $2,500
To ensure high production value with professional camera, sound, and lighting gear.
Crew Wages
Costs $5,000
To fairly compensate our amazing crew for their time, talent, and dedication to bringing this story to life.
Catering & Snacks
Costs $900
To keep our cast and crew nourished and energized during long production days—nobody works well on an empty stomach!
Travel & Lodging
Costs $3,000
To cover lodging, gas, and meals for three multi-day shoots across California, such as San Diego and Daly City.
Production Design, Art Supplies, & Wardrobe
Costs $1,000
To bring the world of GERM to life with props and wardrobe, especially for our reenactment scenes.
Location Fees & Permits
Costs $500
To secure key locations and filming permits that allow us to shoot safely and legally in impactful, story-relevant spaces.
Share this update!
About This Team
The team behind GERM consists of talented filmmakers from all around California.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
GERM follows J.R. Angeles as he begins a deeply personal journey to reconnect with his Filipino-American family, nearly 20 years after the gang-related murder of his older brother, Jerem–also known as Germ. As J.R. seeks to understand who his brother really was, he opens up long overdue conversations about grief, the clash between American gang culture and traditional Filipino values, and how his brother’s death shaped each family member in different ways.
This documentary uncovers the often overlooked realities faced by Southeast Asian immigrant families in California during the 90's and early 2000's—experiences shaped by racism, poverty, and a desperate search for belonging. Germ, like many others, was drawn into gang culture not out of violence, but community. This film seeks to humanize those stories.
Now a social worker, J.R. uses the tools of healing to reconnect with his parents and with Germ’s son, DJ, who never knew his father. As three generations come together, we witness the painful, beautiful work of breaking cycles and building new bonds
Asian American stories are gaining visibility—but Southeast Asian narratives, especially those that touch on poverty, gang life, and grief, are still left out. GERM brings these stories to the surface, challenging the model minority myth at a time when nuance and truth are more essential than ever.
***We are asking for $15,000 to help cover our production costs this summer***
(including fair wages for our talented crew, equipment rental, and travel expenses)
This story is personal, but it’s not unique. Too many families carry generational pain in silence. GERM is a call to listen, talk, and reconnect.
This film centers the underrepresented voices of Southeast Asian Americans and challenges the model minority myth by revealing a truth that’s raw, complex, and deeply human.
Your donation helps us finish production, share this story with the world, and empower others to speak their truths.
We are currently in the middle of production and plan to finish the film with meticulously designed reenactments and animation to elevate our visual storytelling.
Should we amazingly reach our goal of $15,000 in production fund, every additional dollar will go directly toward bringing the film to completion. Here's how your continued support will help:
- Post-Production ($10,000): Includes editing, animation, sound design, color correction, music composition, and final mastering to ensure the film is polished, powerful, and ready for audiences.
- Marketing & Outreach ($3500): To create impactful visuals, trailers, press kits, and targeted outreach campaigns that help the film reach wider audiences—especially communities that connect personally with our themes.
- Film Festival Submissions ($1500): Entry fees, shipping, and promotional materials to bring our film to top festivals and community screenings where it can spark dialogue and build momentum.
- Pledge: No contribution is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to our goal.
- Follow: Please click the button to "follow" our project right here on Seed&Spark. ***The more followers we have, the more eligible we become for some of Seed&Spark's incentives.
- Share: Spread the word on social media, through email, or just by talking to a friend.
Follow our journey on Instagram @germdocumentary
Thank you!
GERM is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent, a non-profit independent media arts organization. Film Independent will receive grants for the charitable purposes of GERM, provide oversight to ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with grant agreements, and provide reports as required by the grantor. Contributions for the charitable purposes of GERM must be made payable to Film Independent and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Talents Fee for Reenactment
Costs $1,500
To compensate actors who help portray powerful moments from our participants’ lives in reenactment scenes.
Hard Drives for Footage Backup
Costs $600
To safely store and back up all raw footage, interviews, and reenactments in 3 high-quality hard drives.
Film Equipment Rentals
Costs $2,500
To ensure high production value with professional camera, sound, and lighting gear.
Crew Wages
Costs $5,000
To fairly compensate our amazing crew for their time, talent, and dedication to bringing this story to life.
Catering & Snacks
Costs $900
To keep our cast and crew nourished and energized during long production days—nobody works well on an empty stomach!
Travel & Lodging
Costs $3,000
To cover lodging, gas, and meals for three multi-day shoots across California, such as San Diego and Daly City.
Production Design, Art Supplies, & Wardrobe
Costs $1,000
To bring the world of GERM to life with props and wardrobe, especially for our reenactment scenes.
Location Fees & Permits
Costs $500
To secure key locations and filming permits that allow us to shoot safely and legally in impactful, story-relevant spaces.
Share this update!
About This Team
The team behind GERM consists of talented filmmakers from all around California.