Taking Root is a community-produced documentary series that amplifies the untold stories of Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian refugee Philadelphians who resettled in the city after the U.S. Wars in Southeast Asia (commonly known as the “Vietnam War”). Through 12 firsthand accounts, the series explores how imperialist violence shaped intergenerational trauma—and presents a powerful narrative of political transformation within Southeast Asian refugee communities.
This episodic docu series unpacks the refugee experience, providing critical historical context for Southeast Asians in the U.S. while mobilizing present and future generations to engage in racial and economic justice. Taking Root challenges the erasure of Southeast Asian refugee histories and positions these communities as agents of change. Watch the trailer here.
____
About the Director
Oanh-Nhi Nguyen is an award-winning filmmaker whose decade-long commitment to gender and racial justice drives her storytelling. Through her lens, she amplifies Asian women and girls, weaving narratives that explore diaspora, immigrant identity, and the complex bonds between generations.
An AFI Conservatory MFA graduate, Oanh-Nhi has directed ten narrative shorts and documentary episodes that have reached audiences from the Smithsonian American Art Museum to festival circuits nationwide. Her acclaimed short “LITTLE BIRD” captured the Jury Award for Best Student Short at Cinequest 2025 and earned a Remi Award at WorldFest Houston. Her work has also been showcased at Tribeca Festival, Hollyshorts Film Festival, New Filmmakers LA Festival, CAAM Fest, Boston Asian American Film Festival, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, and Viet Film Fest.
Recognition from industry leaders includes her selection for Tribeca’s 2024 Creators Market, where she pitched to top professionals, alongside acceptance of her comedy pilot “UNACCEPTABLE” into the Athena’s Writers Lab and her docuseries directorial debut “TAKING ROOT” into the 2023 Tribeca Festival.
As one of just ten filmmakers chosen for Hillman Grad and Indeed’s Rising Voices program, Oanh-Nhi directed and co-wrote “THE STAND,” which premiered at Tribeca Festival in June 2025.
____
About Chai Culture Club
ACL Spokane’s Chai Culture Club aims to communally experience complex Asian and Asian American narratives through divergent cultural media. We help create spaces of belonging where club members can celebrate our community stories and critically discuss their impact. Club membership is free and open to any Asians/Asian Americans in the Spokane area. Occasionally, we will have events open to the public (like this screening). Sign up at bit.ly/chaicultureclub. For questions, please contact Frances at fmortel@aclspokane.org.