This collection of Japanese WWII short films offers intimate and powerful glimpses into the lives shaped by conflict, survival, and resilience. Through personal narratives, historical reflections, and untold stories, these films explore the human impact of war on individuals, families, and communities. Together, they provide a thoughtful and poignant window into the complexities of history, memory, and the enduring spirit of those who lived through one of the most turbulent periods of the 20th century.
A short historical documentary about how the Nisei soldiers of WWII's 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team fought to protect America and to free their families at home.
Director Kayla Jem Ling
Kayla Ling is a Bay Area-based student filmmaker. She attends The Nueva School in San Mateo, California.
As a writer, cinematographer, director, and editor, Kayla aims to raise awareness of social issues such as climate change and racial injustice. Her past works include “No Waste Nation” (2023), which won her the National Geographic Slingshot Challenge, and “Unveiling the City: San Francisco's Disappearing Fog” (2023), an official selection of the Eugene Environmental Film Festival. “Your Necklace” was selected by the All American High School Film Festival. "The Most Loyal Traitors" is her first historical documentary, and the film most recently won the National History Day California competition and placed as a top 10 finalist nationally.
When not filmmaking, Kayla also volunteers her photography for environmental nonprofits, community art installations, and her school newspaper, The Nueva Current.
- Year06/11/2025 00:00
- Runtime0:10:00
- CountryNot Specified
- AwardsNational History Day Washington D.C. Top 10 Finalist
- DirectorKayla Jem Ling
- ScreenwriterKayla Jem Ling
- ProducerKayla Jem Ling
This collection of Japanese WWII short films offers intimate and powerful glimpses into the lives shaped by conflict, survival, and resilience. Through personal narratives, historical reflections, and untold stories, these films explore the human impact of war on individuals, families, and communities. Together, they provide a thoughtful and poignant window into the complexities of history, memory, and the enduring spirit of those who lived through one of the most turbulent periods of the 20th century.
A short historical documentary about how the Nisei soldiers of WWII's 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team fought to protect America and to free their families at home.
Director Kayla Jem Ling
Kayla Ling is a Bay Area-based student filmmaker. She attends The Nueva School in San Mateo, California.
As a writer, cinematographer, director, and editor, Kayla aims to raise awareness of social issues such as climate change and racial injustice. Her past works include “No Waste Nation” (2023), which won her the National Geographic Slingshot Challenge, and “Unveiling the City: San Francisco's Disappearing Fog” (2023), an official selection of the Eugene Environmental Film Festival. “Your Necklace” was selected by the All American High School Film Festival. "The Most Loyal Traitors" is her first historical documentary, and the film most recently won the National History Day California competition and placed as a top 10 finalist nationally.
When not filmmaking, Kayla also volunteers her photography for environmental nonprofits, community art installations, and her school newspaper, The Nueva Current.
- Year06/11/2025 00:00
- Runtime0:10:00
- CountryNot Specified
- AwardsNational History Day Washington D.C. Top 10 Finalist
- DirectorKayla Jem Ling
- ScreenwriterKayla Jem Ling
- ProducerKayla Jem Ling