The documentary Dear Kuliang, a collaborative production between China and the United States, made its world premiere on Nov 7 at the 21st Chinese American Film Festival and the Chinese American TV Festival in Los Angeles. This marks the first time the Kuliang story has been told through a Sino-American partnership.

Spanning 50 minutes, the documentary explores the cross-cultural ties in Kuliang, Fujian province, renowned for fostering strong bonds between American residents and local Chinese communities. The film follows Holly Bradsher, a US high school student, as she retraces the footsteps of her ancestor, Dr Mary Carleton, and others who once lived in Kuliang. Through a dual narrative of "history and the present", it vividly captures a century of enduring connections.

Eric Johnston, a US middle school teacher and researcher of Kuliang culture, praised the film for preserving shared memories. Having led cultural exchanges to Fujian for years, he emphasized that the Kuliang story is about genuine human connections that transcend borders. "It was about building friendships — Americans and Chinese families living and working together across cultures. These bonds between people are what excite me," Johnston said.