Important Films Media presents a work-in-progress documentary on the
Tejano people of South Texas since 1527
The “Los Tejanos: A 500-year History” project begins with events documented as early as 1527 as Spanish explorers intermarried with indigenous peoples to conquests by the Spanish, Mexican, French, Confederate, U.S., and Texas Rangers, which created a culture of exploitation and resilience in South Texas.
The feature documentary film chronicles these historical events and how they have shaped the people and character of the region. Tejanos did not immigrate to the U.S.; their ancestors were already here.
Yet, of the 59 men who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, only two were Tejanos, and Laws of the Republic of Texas excluded Spanish speakers in this region of South Texas encompassing the Lower Rio Grande Valley between Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Laredo, and San Antonio.
In all, the United States of North America annexed a third of Mexico’s territory, and nearly 77,000 Mexicans became U.S. citizens. For generations, these citizens were plagued by prejudice and lack of representation that would result in overt acts of discrimination, segregation, and the omission of their contributions and culture from Texas and U.S. history.
Today, Tejanos are actively reclaiming their own narratives through oral histories and extensive research, highlighting the cultural richness of their contributions. Our film brings forth previously overlooked voices, stories, and documentation that weave a complex tapestry of early South Texas Tejano lore.
Director Joseph C. Stillman, Producer Jeri Wachter, and Tejano Historian Richard Stillman of the La Santa Cruz de la Concepcion Tejanos (SCCT) in Concepcion, Texas, are working in collaboration with historians, educators, archivists, musicians, artists, ranchers, policymakers and others across the Tejano community.
Brought together in the film, they tell the story of the little-known origins of Tejano life and the impact that the past, present, and future generations have had and will have on Texas and the United States.
"Los Tejanos: A 500-year History" is an Important Films Media production.
Contact us at info@importantfilmsmedia.com.
Joseph C. Stillman (Producer/Director) is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, director, cinematographer, writer, editor, and co-founder of Important Films Media. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Stillman brings more than four decades of filmmaking experience to the creation of substantive documentary films, Motion Pictures, Television programming, and other video and film projects to clients from around the world. His feature documentary works include the internationally acclaimed, "Citizen Clark... A Life of Principle", the story of former U.S. Attorney General and Human Rights activist, Ramsey Clark, award winning "Something in the Water", a film about a search for common ground in America, and "Rural Matters: Poverty in the Other America", He wrote, produced, and directed the motion picture, "Bear" (2023). A consummate artist, dedicated to human rights and social justice, Stillman's impactful works have been seen around the globe. Stillman is a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, Calif., Major - Motion Picture Production.
Jeri Wachter (Producer) is a NYC and Southern-raised filmmaker, producer, director, camerawoman, editor, public speaker, equity, and victim advocate. With two decades across scientific and scholarly publishing, she has been creating compelling films, raising voices from diverse communities to tell critical and unique human stories. Her award-winning feature documentary, "Something in the Water" (2023), is a stunning mosaic of America searching for common ground during unprecedented challenges and change. "Rural Matters: Poverty in the Other America" is a documentary intimate portrait of people living on the edge of economic insecurity. Wachter cofounded Important Films Media, Workplace Equity Project (WE Survey), and William Andrew Publishing -seminal worldwide publications on materials science, energy, ecology, and toxicology. She graduated from Baruch College, CUNY, New York, NY with a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in Sociology.
Richard Stillman is a Tejano Historian and a leading advisor on the production of “Los Tejanos – A 500-year History,” due to be released in early Fall 2025. Stillman is a founding member of the La Santa Cruz de la Concepcion Tejano (SCCT) in Concepcion, TX. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX, Stillman has been a rancher in Concepcion, TX, and has been an expert on the history and culture of Tejanos in South Texas for three decades.
P.O. Box 289 Gilbertsville, NY 13776 Call: (607) 376-4300 / (607) 226-4181 Email: info@importantfilmsmedia.com La Santa Cruz de la Concepcion Tejanos (SCCT) PO Box 52, Concepcion, Texas 78349
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"Los Tejanos: A 500-year History"
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