by Sophia Uehara
My name is Sophia Uehara, I am a documentary filmmaker and lifelong UU based in Brooklyn, and for the last year I have been shooting The 8th Principle, a documentary about anti-racism efforts within the history of Unitarian Universalism and the struggles we face in addressing this as a predominantly white religion. Inspired by my congregation’s racial justice committee to adopt the 8th Principle in 2024, this documentary explores the complex task of holding a community accountable to its ideals and the tensions between belief, allyship, and action.
The film weaves personal narratives with historical context, highlights BIPOC voices and examines the UU faith’s broader struggles with systemic racism. With DRUUMM’s support, we are expanding to include BIPOC UU activists and leaders across the country, making the narrative not one about institutional setbacks, but one about communities that support one another in made-for-BIPOC, by-BIPOC spaces. Upon completion, the project aims to offer an accompanying educational screening package, fostering solidarity and building inclusive communities within diverse UU spaces.
If you or someone you know has connections to BIPOC activists, community leaders, and/or historians, we would love to connect and learn more about these individuals and their communities. I am aware that I only know as much as my lived experience as a mixed-race person allows, and welcome any opportunities to expand this narrative further. I hope this can serve as an honest record of where we have been, and charter a course for where we can continue to grow!
About the Author
Sophia Uehara is a second-generation Japanese-American documentary director and production designer. A Tisch School of the Arts graduate, she blends her background in art direction with a passion for stories of identity, representation, and social change.
Raised by classically trained artists, Sophia has designed award-winning films—including Our Son (Tribeca 2023) and If I Die in America (SXSW 2024)—as well as campaigns for Google, Lexus, Starbucks, and AT&T.
Now turning to documentary filmmaking, she uses her visual storytelling expertise to amplify underrepresented voices, challenge stereotypes, and inspire empathy and dialogue.
