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Award-Winning Documentary 'Palmas' to Transition into Feature Film
Producer Ana Flávia Veiga leads the expansion of the acclaimed film exploring the complex history of palm trees in Los Angeles.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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Following a successful run on the international festival circuit, including top honors at the Burbank and Glendale International Film Festivals, the acclaimed documentary 'Palmas' is transitioning into a feature-length production. Led by producer Ana Flávia Veiga and director Aric Lopez, the film explores the palm tree as a silent witness to the complex histories of displacement and generational transformation in Los Angeles. The project has secured the expertise of Executive Producer Doug Blush and fiscal sponsorship from SMP Rise as it moves into this new phase of expansion.
Why it matters
The documentary 'Palmas' challenges the traditional Hollywood aesthetic of the palm tree to unearth overlooked voices and stories of the Kizh-Gabrieleño tribe, the forced evictions at Dodger Stadium, and the city's evolving public image. By shifting the perspective to the streets and vistas where these histories are buried, the film aims to provide a cinematic space that matches the scale and importance of the lived experiences of the Los Angeles community.
The details
Palmas is an interrogation of the palm tree, an iconic symbol often synonymous with Los Angeles, revealing it as a silent witness to a complex history of displacement and generational transformation. The film weaves a triptych narrative that explores the haunting histories of the Kizh-Gabrieleño tribe of the Los Angeles River Basin, the forced evictions at Dodger Stadium, and the city's evolving public image.
- The short documentary 'Palmas' has been an official selection at several prestigious festivals since 2026.
- The feature film expansion, titled 'Las Palmas', is currently in development.
The players
Ana Flávia Veiga
A USC School of Cinematic Arts alumna and the creative producer leading the transition of 'Palmas' into a feature-length film.
Aric Lopez
The director of the acclaimed documentary 'Palmas'.
Doug Blush
An Academy Award-winning documentarian who has joined the project as the Executive Producer.
SMP Rise
An initiative founded by award-winning producer Alonzo Van Wilson that is providing fiscal sponsorship for the feature film expansion of 'Palmas'.
What they’re saying
“What resonates with me most in Palmas is how it unearths the layers of history hidden behind a symbol as ubiquitous as the palm tree. These are stories of displacement and resilience that have been silenced for too long. Our community deserves a cinematic space that matches the scale and importance of their lived experiences, transforming a postcard image into a profound conversation about identity and place.”
— Ana Flávia Veiga, Producer (EINPresswire.com)
What’s next
The team is actively engaged in development and seeking further investor partnerships to complete the feature film expansion of 'Palmas', titled 'Las Palmas'.
The takeaway
The transition of the acclaimed documentary 'Palmas' into a feature-length film represents an opportunity to provide a cinematic platform for the overlooked histories and voices of the Los Angeles community, challenging the traditional representation of the iconic palm tree and its connection to the city's identity and evolution.
