San Francisco, CA — May 29, 2025 — CeeWave Productions, a Filipino- and woman-owned film and media company based in the SF Bay Area, has been awarded a Gold Telly Award in the “General-History (Online)” category for its powerful short documentary, Building on History and Legacy: The Filipino-American Experience. The film, which honors the history, resilience, and continued contributions of past and present Filipino-Americans, features five voices from
across the country — including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. It was recognized at the 46th Annual Telly Awards — one of the industry’s most prestigious honors for video and television excellence.
The award-winning documentary was directed and executive produced by CeeWave’s founder, Christianne Sykes, with John Maranan (J-Mar) bringing his vision as executive producer, editor, and camera operator. The production team also includes Dianalyn Mendaros as production coordinator and features contributors such as Matthew Veland, Ben Bulatao, ACE, Audrey Bansil, Marc Diaz, and Drea Castro — who also supported camera work. Additional camera work was provided by Christian Villatoro, Christopher Tomilloso, Rovyn Bautista, and Tatjana Willms-Jones.
“We’re over the moon that Filipino-American stories are being recognized in this way as an important part of American history,” said Christianne Sykes, director and executive producer. “This award reminds us that American history is made up of many cultures, and it’s essential that we remember, acknowledge, and continue to learn from them.”
Established in 1979, the Telly Awards recognize excellence in video across all screens. With more than 13,000 global entries annually, the Gold Telly is awarded to top-tier creators whose work sets a new standard for creative storytelling.The 2025 winners were announced on May 20th, with this year’s theme, “Stories Take Shape,” underscoring how today’s creators are blending traditional storytelling techniques with emerging formats to explore the full spectrum of what video can be.
To watch Building on History and Legacy: The Filipino-American Experience or explore how CeeWave Productions can help bring your story to life, visit www.ceewave.co.
About CeeWave Productions
CeeWave Productions is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and also serves clients from Washington, D.C. and beyond who are looking for content that builds connection and drives impact. Their mission is to empower diverse narratives and integrate cultures by delivering cutting-edge, engaging stories and experiences. Through films, podcasts, and video content, CeeWave encourages understanding through storytelling and creates work that resonates with audiences and communities.
