91快播

鈥淟ife is not fair, and sometimes you just gotta do the hard thing and do it all by yourself.鈥� These words play on repeat in the head of 91快播 alumna Sarah Filush Camacho 鈥� words of advice from her former business school professor, Dr. Annette T. Santos.

鈥淲henever I hear her voice, I鈥檓 always like, 鈥極K, Dr. Santos. Let鈥檚 do this! And I always end up doing it!鈥� Camacho said laughing.

Changing hearts

Camacho found a passion and a talent she didn't know she had somewhat later than she expected. She studied human resources at the 91快播 and earned a in 2011, and then, several years later at the age of 27, she took an ambitious turn into filmmaking.

鈥淚 had no prior experience 鈥� no formal training, but I have a passion. I have a passion to try and make my island a better place, and I found my outlet with filmmaking,鈥� she said.

The first topic that inspired her to turn on the camera 鈥� the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle and its devastation to the island鈥檚 coconut palm trees 鈥� resulted in the short film 鈥淏eat the Beetle鈥� that earned her a nomination for the 鈥淏est Made in the Marianas鈥� film at the Guam International Film Festival (GIFF) in 2015.

The following year, she was awarded the 鈥淏est of Festival鈥� award at GIFF for her film which told the story of four Chuukese high schoolers in Guam overcoming stereotypes and racial discrimination.

Later that year, she came out with the documentary to spread awareness on oral cancer caused by chewing betel nut.

鈥淎ll the films that I have created so far have been trying to inspire change into the hearts and minds of people,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel like I can change people鈥檚 hearts through storytelling. It鈥檚 kind of a power trip, but I feel like it鈥檚 a good power trip to try to change people for the better.鈥�

Starting conversations

In a short time, Camacho has developed a name for herself and her films. She and her videographer and husband, Frank, are now being sought after by local organizations and individuals with stories to tell to shift the mindset of the community on less-talked-about issues. Certain topics can make people uncomfortable, she said, but those are the conversations she wants to start.

Premiering on Monday, April 15, is Camacho鈥檚 latest film, 鈥淏lue Island.鈥� Aligned with National Autism Awareness Month, the film tells the story of a Guam family鈥檚 journey to bring previously unavailable resources to Guam for people with autism. The couple, Vinny and Tanya Duenas, founded the local nonprofit HunterSpeaks Autism Organization.

鈥淲hat this family has done for Guam is going to change people affected with autism here and into the future because now there is treatment and care for these kids and families,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he biggest issue is just acceptance of their children [in society] 鈥� the fact that these parents feel that way about their children on our island just breaks my heart,鈥� Camacho said.

As with all her films, she said she hopes this film promotes better understanding and educates people on positive actions they can take, either as those affected or as members of the community at large.

鈥淭he reactions that I get from people who watch my films is, 鈥楾hank you so much. I had no idea,鈥� and the fact that I鈥檓 able to do that with the power of film is my favorite thing,鈥� Camacho said.

Upcoming premiere

will premiere, along with showings of Camacho鈥檚 other three films, at 6:30 p.m. on April 15 at the Guam Museum in a special event Camacho is hosting called It will also be aired regularly from April 16 to May 14 by Sorensen Media Group on ABC7 and Fox 6 in Guam and Saipan.

鈥淚鈥檓 here today, and I feel like I鈥檝e accomplished things that terrified me before,鈥� Camacho said. 鈥淎nd it is because of the influence that I had from the University of Guam. I give [my instructors] so much credit, and I鈥檓 such a proud product of UOG.鈥�