Ancestry on Trial: The Forgotten Victims of WWII is a new documentary uncovering the suppressed story of over 31,000 civilians of Japanese, German, and Italian ancestry—many of them forcibly taken from Latin America—who were imprisoned by the U.S. government as “enemy aliens” during World War II.
From the creators of Hidden Internment: The Art Shibayama Story, this film connects the past to the present—revealing how the same laws used to justify wartime internment are being revived today to detain and deport immigrant communities. We follow survivors and descendants who are still fighting for recognition, accountability, and justice, while standing in solidarity with today’s movement for migrant rights.
🎬 Contribute Now to Support the Film
Your contribution will help us complete production, preserve these vital stories, and launch a national impact campaign: [https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ancestry-on-trial/x/1145702#/]
From the creators of Hidden Internment: The Art Shibayama Story, this film connects the past to the present—revealing how the same laws used to justify wartime internment are being revived today to detain and deport immigrant communities. We follow survivors and descendants who are still fighting for recognition, accountability, and justice, while standing in solidarity with today’s movement for migrant rights.
🎬 Contribute Now to Support the Film
Your contribution will help us complete production, preserve these vital stories, and launch a national impact campaign: [https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ancestry-on-trial/x/1145702#/]
Meet the Crew:
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Casey Peek (Director) is a filmmaker and storyteller with over two decades of experience creating documentaries that center the lives of migrants, workers, and communities advocating for justice. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Casey leads Peek Media, a production company recognized for its partnerships with grassroots organizations to share underrepresented stories. Casey’s work explores the intersections of history, policy, and everyday experience—highlighting narratives that are often overlooked. From migrant shelters to union halls and across borders, Casey brings both a filmmaker’s craft and a commitment to community, creating films that aim to inform, engage, and inspire.
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Grace Shimizu (Project Advisor) is a longtime advocate, researcher, and community organizer whose work has been instrumental in uncovering the history of U.S. government wartime actions against civilians of Japanese Latin American ancestry. She is the director of the Japanese Peruvian Oral History Project and has spent decades documenting forced removal, internment, and redress efforts through both policy advocacy and public education. Grace played a central role in the movement to seek justice for Japanese Latin Americans excluded from the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, and continues to be a leading voice on issues of accountability, reparations, and historical memory. As project advisor for Ancestry on Trial, she brings deep historical knowledge, lived experience, and an unwavering commitment to truth and justice—ensuring that the voices of survivors and their descendants are honored and heard.
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Leomar Moring (DP) is a Bay Area-based cinematographer known for his striking visual storytelling and ability to capture emotion through the lens. With a background in both narrative film and documentary work, Leo brings a keen eye for composition, color, and movement to every project. Whether shooting indie films, music videos, or branded content, he blends technical expertise with artistic sensitivity to craft imagery that connects on a deep, human level. His work reflects a strong connection to the diverse communities and landscapes of the Bay Area, where he continues to push creative boundaries behind the camera.
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Carrin McErlane (Video/Photo) is a storyteller, director, and impact strategist whose work centers the voices and experiences of communities often left at the margins. Rooted in a deep belief in the power of film to drive social change, Carrin blends creative vision with a commitment to justice—crafting narratives that confront inequality, build empathy, and inspire action. Her projects span documentary, narrative, and mixed media formats, often in collaboration with grassroots organizers and artists of color. Whether behind the camera or shaping the strategy behind a campaign. Through bold, community-centered filmmaking, Carrin continues to explore the intersections of race, gender, labor, and liberation—using film not just as a mirror, but as a tool for imagining a more just world.
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