Chezik✨ | Filmmaker & Advocate

motherhood has taught me many things, but my biggest lesson has been to cherish each and every moment. grateful for this gift to love and guide these beautiful souls. also, sending love to all mothers out there in your many different forms 🙏🏽❤️🌺 #mothersday2024 #infinitelove

today’s the day that i celebrate what may be the most surreal journey i’ve embarked on. with the release of the #drowninginsilencefilm, my hope is that my film helps shift our collective perspective about what it means to be safe in and around water. i also hope it supports those who have ever experienced grief. it’s important to know that we’re not alone out here and that everyone’s healing process is different. *breathe in* *breathe out* the day is finally here! 🥹 drowning in silence is available to watch and download now on @appletv and @itunes . 💕 #film #indiefilm #documentary #thankyou #watersafety #swimming #watersafetymonth

five years ago, i put oprah on my vision board. i knew that if she ever spoke about water safety, it would save lives, especially in black and brown communities. i dreamed of the day i’d sit with her, maybe even get her into a pool, and talk about the life saving power of swimming. that dream came true. 💫 i had the opportunity to share yori’s story with oprah. my beautiful son. the reason i do this work. the reason @nomoreunder exists. this moment is beyond surreal for me, it’s sacred. heavy and heartbreaking, because yori isn’t here. but also full of hope, because his life continues to make waves that protect others. to the oprah team, the researcher who found our story, and everyone working to spread the message of water safety this summer: thank you. from the deepest place in my heart, thank you. this is for yori. this is for every child who deserves to grow up safe in and around water. 💙🌊 #nomoreunder #oprah #watersafety #yorisstory #visionboardtoreality #blackkidsswim #representationmatters #griefandpurpose #dreamscometrue #drowningprevention

three years. countless stories. one unforgettable weekend. thank you @siffnews for the chance to premiere this film in seattle, the city where it all started. thank you to everyone who showed up, shared support, and held space in that theater. 🎬💕 here’s to this being the beginning of something greater. 🥂✨ . . . #underamillionstars #seattle #unhousedneighbors #tinyhomevillages

UNDER A MILLION STARS but we had the opportunity to interview 3 of them🤩💫 In this Tiny Mic, the UNDER A MILLION STARS🌟 team talks about shaping the documentary from production to working with the film’s subjects, exploring what it’s like to build a narrative when the story is still unfolding, especially around an issue as complex as homelessness.

Such an incredible premiere last night for “Under a Million Stars” with Director @cheziktsu ! One more chance to see it @siffnews again today at 12:30pm. Get 🎟️🎟️ at SIFF.net @visuallyinspiredproductions #siff2026 #filmfestival #documentary

Every great conversation starts with a warmup! Festival Programming Manager Megan Leonard moderates a conversation between local filmmakers: Chezik Tsunoda, Director of UNDER A MILLION STARS, JJ Gerber, Director of THE LIFE WE LEAVE, and Zach Weintraub, Writer/Director/Producer/Actor/Editor of ASSETS & LIABILITIES. Watch the entire episode on our YouTube channel, and catch screenings of their films throughout #SIFF2026 via 🔗 in bio. Thank you to 100 Percent for producing this video!

“Under a Million Stars is a thoughtful, beautifully done film that everyone should watch… [the film] keeps its foot on the accountability pedal, connecting the current-day crisis back to the state of emergency declared in 2015, back to the redlining in the 1970s, back to the pioneer days when white people came to claim land that was already owned by someone else.” - @meganseling for @thestrangerseattle sending special thanks to megan and The Stranger team for their recent review of #UnderAMillionStars!!! read the full article at the link in bio + there’s still time to grab a ticket and join @visuallyinspiredproductions this weekend for our debut screenings at this years SIFF! 🎟️🍿💕

Thank you to @newdaynw and @king5seattle for having us on air to talk about Under a Million Stars ✨ We’re so grateful for the opportunity to share this story, huge thank you to @livewithkellyhanson and Megan Leonard from @siffnews for the thoughtful conversation. Catch Under a Million Stars at SIFF this weekend May 9 and May 10. 🎟️ Tickets at the link in bio 📺 Watch the full segment at the link in our story

More @newdaynw goodness this morning @king5seattle with Director Chezik Tsunoda (@visuallyinspiredproductions ) and Megan Leonard from @siffnews ! Shout-out to @livewithkellyhanson and the New Day team for another incredible interview. Chezik’s new documentary, “Under a Million Stars,” premieres Saturday, May 9th at 6:15pm - SIFF Cinema Uptown. There will be a second screening on Sunday, May 10th at 12:30pm. 🎟 Get tickets at SIFF.net Link in bio to watch the segment ⬆️ #SIFF2026 #teamsmarthouse #newdaynw #seattle

happy 9th birthday kenzo!!! 🤍 one of my greatest joys is getting to watch you explore, question, and fall in love with the world around you…especially baseball and leopard geckos! 🦎 you keep me on my toes in the best way and i love you so much for making me a better person. 😌🤗

We’re beyond excited to share that our documentary film, Under a Million Stars, has been selected to premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival!! 🎬✨ This project has been a labor of love and we can’t wait to finally share what we’ve been pouring our hearts into. Join us at one of our screenings: Saturday May 9 at 6:15 PM Sunday May 10 at 12:30 PM Tickets + more info on the film at the link in bio. . . . #womeninfilmmaking #womendirectors #filmfestival #documentaryfilmmaking