“Altadena Strong: The road to recovery following the Eaton Fire”  is a short documentary that captures the quiet strength and resilience of a community still coming to terms with the devastating impact of the Eaton Fire. Set entirely in Altadena, California, I made four trips after the fire to listen to the stories of residents and local leaders who came together to embody what it means to be Altadena Strong.

It may take another two years for Altadena to reach normalcy. Even for me, someone with deep ties to the area through years of family visits across the San Gabriel Valley, the scene was jarring and heartbreaking. So, this film is dedicated to the helpers, those who rose, and continue to rise to the occasion, and show others how Altadena is working to rebuild and reconnect with one another.