Estamos Aquí — Presence, Pride, Legacy
In partnership with the Latino Policy Institute
When most people think of Rhode Island, they picture beaches, cobblestone streets, and the smell of the ocean. But behind those familiar sights lies another truth — one pulsing with rhythm, resilience, and community.
For over two decades, the Latino Policy Institute (LPI) has been a voice for progress, representation, and justice. And this year, as they celebrated their 20th Anniversary, we at Based On A True Story (BOATS) had the honor of helping them tell that story — a story of presence, pride, and legacy.
Because this moment wasn’t just an anniversary.
It was a declaration: Estamos Aquí. We are here.
About the Story
Estamos Aquí celebrates twenty years of advocacy, empowerment, and belonging. It captures the heartbeat of Rhode Island’s Latino community — a collective that has not only shaped policy but transformed the state’s cultural and civic identity.
Through the lens of LPI’s milestone event, the story unfolds as a celebration of resilience, culture, and impact. Leaders, artists, and families came together to honor those who paved the way while uplifting the next generation stepping forward to continue the work.
This is not just a reflection of the past. It’s a statement of continuation — a reminder that legacy is not about looking back, but about carrying the torch forward.
About the Film
Estamos Aquí is more than documentation — it’s cinematic remembrance.
From warm lights illuminating proud faces, to laughter between generations, to speeches that echo hope, every frame honors the fullness of what it means to belong.
BOATS’ visual approach centered on intimacy and vibrance — letting viewers feel the rhythm of the night, the pulse of the drums, and the spirit of those who made Rhode Island home. We blended motion and stillness — portraits, live moments, and sound design — to reflect how history lives both in movement and in memory.
At its core, the film is an offering: a love letter to the Latino community of Rhode Island and to everyone who’s ever had to say, “We are here” — and mean it.
The Vision
Too often, celebrations like this are reduced to moments.
Our goal at BOATS was to ensure it became a movement — something that transcends the event itself and lives on as a story of identity and contribution.
This project honors the power of narrative ownership. It affirms that Rhode Island’s story cannot be told without the Latino community — their work, their voices, their roots.
Estamos Aquí isn’t just a title.
It’s a truth.
A declaration that presence is power.
Director’s Note
“When we began shaping Estamos Aquí, we wanted to capture more than speeches and applause. We wanted to capture heartbeat — the sound of legacy in motion.
What I saw that night was a community that doesn’t just exist within Rhode Island — it defines it.
This story is a reminder that visibility is strength, and when a community says ‘We are here,’ it’s not just a statement — it’s history being written in real time.”
— Jude Amoako, Director & Storyteller, Based On A True Story (BOATS)
Credits
Produced by: Based On A True Story (BOATS)
Director: Jude Amoako
Director of Photography: Cristobal Daniel Bustos
Sound Design & Music: BOATS Audio Collective
Production Assistants: Tyreek Jones, Daphne Mensah
Partner: Latino Policy Institute
Featuring: LPI Founders, Leaders, Community Members, and Guests
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Runtime: 3m 12s