SAN ANTONIO, TX — The award-winning PBS documentary American Sons has been nominated for Best Documentary at the 41st Annual Imagen Awards, one of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious honors recognizing authentic and positive portrayals of Latinos in film, television, and streaming. The awards ceremony will be held August 21, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

Produced by Laura Varela and Produced/Directed by Andrew James Gonzales, American Sons is a deeply personal documentary that follows a group of U.S. Marines more than a decade after serving together in Afghanistan as they navigate the lasting impact of combat, grief, PTSD, and the loss of their friend, Cpl. Jorge “JV” Villarreal. Through intimate storytelling, the film also gives us a glimpse into Villarreal’s life and service and examines the challenges of military transition while highlighting the resilience of veterans, their families, and the communities that support them.

Since its World Premiere at SXSW and its national PBS broadcast on VOCES, American Sons has sparked meaningful conversations across the country about veteran mental health, suicide prevention, and the importance of connection and healing. The documentary has become the centerpiece of a growing national impact campaign, bringing veterans, military families, healthcare professionals, educators, policymakers, and civilian audiences together through community screenings and facilitated discussions.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Imagen Foundation,” said producer Laura Varela. “This nomination belongs to the Marines and our Gold Star family who trusted us with their stories. Their courage and vulnerability have inspired audiences across the country to engage in honest conversations about service, sacrifice and normalizing mental health care. It also reminds all of us that Latinos have always served in America’s armed forces and are part of the country’s fabric.”

Director Andrew James Gonzales added, “Our mission has always been to give voice to the human cost of war and honor the families who carry that burden. We are humbled that this story resonated with the Imagen Foundation, and we proudly share this honor with everyone who worked tirelessly to bring American Sons to those who need it most.”

The Imagen Awards celebrate excellence in Latino storytelling and honor creators whose work
reflects the richness, diversity, and complexity of the Latino experience. This year’s Best Documentary category recognizes outstanding nonfiction filmmaking from across the industry, with American Sons joining an accomplished field of nominees.

The recognition comes as American Sons continues its nationwide impact campaign, which includes community screenings, educational programming, and partnerships focused on supporting veterans and military families. Upcoming events include a hometown screening in San Antonio on August 28, a screening on September 11 at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, TX, to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, and a special screening at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, co-sponsored by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, on November 5.

American Sons is a co-production of Infinite Warrior LLC, Latino Public Broadcasting, and Black Public Media, with major funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional support was provided by California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Bexar County, and the City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture.