New Film Becoming American: Philadelphia’s Story to Debut Nationally on PBS, Spotlighting Philadelphia’s Foundational Role in the Nation’s History
- May 12
- 5 min read
The new documentary highlights the city's early diverse communities and their lasting impact ahead of America's 250th anniversary
Presented by WHYY and distributed by PBS, the new documentary will become available nationwide June 15, 2026, spotlighting Philadelphia's early diverse communities and their lasting impact ahead of America's 250th anniversary
PHILADELPHIA, PA (April 29, 2026) – A new documentary exploring Philadelphia's central role in shaping the United States, Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story, will debut on WHYY-12 on May 28 and air on PBS stations nationwide beginning June 15, 2026, with free streaming on demand on PBS platforms. Arriving as the nation approaches its Semiquincentennial, the film offers a timely and deeply local perspective on the people, communities, and global influences that helped define America's founding.
Produced by Bear House Media, the documentary examines the nation's origins through the lens of Philadelphia- its first capital and a crossroads of cultures, ideas, and identities. Through a layered narrative that blends contemporary cinematography with early visual depictions of the city, the film highlights the contributions of early African Americans and other diverse communities whose resilience and intellect both shaped and challenged the original Quaker vision.
"Within the backdrop of our nation's Semiquincentennial, this documentary explores the themes and stories that continue to define who we are today, while underscoring the central role Philadelphia played in that history," said Executive Producer Oliver St. Clair Franklin. "At its core, this film is about people- those whose stories have too often gone untold- and the city that brought them together."
Unlike traditional narratives that center only on the well-known founders, this film shines a light on everyday people, whose lives, struggles, and triumphs are often written out of history. Through rich storytelling and historical depth, it celebrates a community that built, resisted, and thrived in the era that promised liberty and equality, revealing how their contributions were essential to the making of a new America and what it was to find their identity in this radical new nation.
Two of the film's key historians are Philadelphia-based: Dr. Kelli Racine Barnes, a Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow, and Emma Lapsansky-Werner, Ph.D, from the Department of History (Emerita) at Haverford College. Alongside them we feature a host of archivists and experts from the city's most venerable institutions: The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, The Independence Seaport Museum, the Museum of the American Revolution and Mother Bethel's first female pastor. Complementing these local historians are key academics from around the US: Dr. Tara A. Bynum, Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, Dr James Alexander Dun, Associate Dean at Princeton and Dr Ronald Angelo Johnson, Lynn Chair of History at Baylor University.
Rooted in Philadelphia both on and off screen, Becoming American was developed through deep collaboration with local scholars, artists, and institutions. The Music Department at the Community College of Philadelphia, led by accomplished musician and producer Professor Paul Geissenger, was supported by colleagues and students who all played key roles in the production in shaping the film's audio landscape; mixing the original score, helping to create the sound design for the art scenes, and facilitating additional voiceover recordings. This partnership extended to CCP students, whose contributions helped bring technical depth and authenticity to the film's evolving narrative.
The production also fostered a meaningful academic and creative exchange with Moore College of Art & Design. Through fellowship placements, students joined the production abroad in the UK to support studio filming of the art scenes, while a postgraduate collaborator contributed to costume and film location research in Philadelphia. These hands-on experiences ensured the film's visual storytelling remained grounded in both historical accuracy and contemporary artistic perspective.
The film's original score further reflects Philadelphia's rich cultural legacy. Composed by New Jersey-based musician and Grammy award nominated songwriter Christopher Michael Stevens, the sweeping soundtrack draws from jazz and gospel traditions and was brought to life with the support of local collaborators. Drexel University scholar, jazz bandleader, and trombonist Brent White led a group of professional Philadelphia musicians in arranging and performing works by Francis Johnson- one of America's earliest Black composers- from limited surviving scores. These performances were recorded live for an audience at the legendary Chris' Jazz Café, where filming captured both the music and the spirit of one of the city's most storied cultural institutions.
The film closes with a powerful new recording of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," performed by Philadelphia artist Bethlehem the Vocussionist accompanied by a band using her original arrangement. Together, these musical elements- along with the generous support, access, and expertise of Philadelphia's cultural institutions and scholarly community- underscore the film's commitment to telling a story that is not only about the city but truly made by it.
While the documentary presents a sweeping narrative of America's founding, it remains deeply connected to Philadelphia's neighborhoods and communities of past and present. From the interplay of European colonists, free Black communities, Native Americans, and Africans to the global context of movements such as the Haitian Revolution, the film offers a broader understanding of how the nation's earliest chapters were shaped.
A Philadelphia premiere screening will take place on May 12, 2026, at the Philadelphia Film Society in partnership with WHYY offering local audiences an early look at the film.
In addition to its national broadcast, Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story is intended to serve as a resource for schools, cultural institutions, and community organizations, fostering dialogue and deeper engagement with the city's history and its ongoing influence.
For more information about the documentary or to request a screening, please visit: https://www.becomingamericanmovie.com/
ABOUT BEAR HOUSE MEDIA
Bear House Media is a UK television production company, specializing in high-end presenter-led factual programming. With decades of top quality work between the team for major broadcasters on both sides of the Atlantic, their team of award-winning craft cameramen, documentary producers and broadcast journalists has unrivalled experience bringing stories to life on television. As outsiders the filmmakers were afforded a unique perspective in the making of "Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story" bringing together high-end cinematography, bespoke storytelling and original artwork to tell one of America's greatest stories in a new and engaging way.
Future projects include a multi-part series on America's Greatest Bridges and how their histories connected communities; an observational documentary on one of Oxford University's most engaging international scholarship programs, and an intimate portrait of one of Ireland's celebrated living sculptors
ABOUT BECOMING AMERICAN
Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story tells the story of the nation's founding through the lens of Philadelphia, America's first capital. It explores how diverse groups lived and worked side-by-side to shape the new United States. Weaving together well-known historical moments with lesser-known personal stories, the film situates America's early growth within a global context, offering a deeper understanding of how the country's founding ideals emerged and continue to resonate today.
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