The inaugural Belly Laughs Festival brought over 30 Asian American comedians and a curated lineup of food vendors to L.A. Live for two days of stand-up and soul food. From Margaret Cho to surprise drop-ins, the event delivered something rare: a full celebration of identity, humor, and belonging. Continue reading More Than a Laugh: Belly Laughs and the Power of Asian American Storytelling
CAAMFest 2025 officially kicks off tomorrow in San Francisco’s historic Japantown, marking a powerful return to a neighborhood deeply intertwined with the Asian American experience. Presented by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), this year’s festival embraces the theme of “Inheritance,” inviting audiences to reflect on the histories that shape our present and future. At a time when support for diversity in education and … Continue reading Tadashi Nakamura Opens CAAMFest with a Portrait of Family and Filmmaking
For a generation of Asian Americans, The Joy Luck Club was more than just a movie—it was a revelation. I was still a teenager when it came out, and I vividly remember the seismic shift it caused in the way I saw myself and my community. Here was a Hollywood film—backed by a major studio, no less—with an all-Asian cast, speaking English, talking about their … Continue reading A Sisterhood Forged in Story: The Women of “The Joy Luck” Club Reunite
On Sunday, April 13th, Tremendous Communications, Queer Asian Social Club, and Bleecker Street hosted a specialty drag brunch event for Bleecker Street’s upcoming feature film THE WEDDING BANQUET. The event included a Q&A with brunch host Ongina (RuPaul’s Drag Race), several drag queen performances, bottomless mimosas, and dim sum at CHIFA in Los Angeles. This special event was a celebration of LGBTQ+ and AAPI representation, with director … Continue reading ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Kicks Off Premiere Week with a Drag Brunch Event
There was something unmistakably electric in the air at The Ebell of Los Angeles on Monday night (March 25th), as CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) hosted its third annual RADIANCE gala, an event that’s quickly become a cornerstone celebration for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women and non-binary creatives in Hollywood. With Kiran Deol (“Didn’t Die”) serving as the evening’s sharp and soulful … Continue reading CAPE’s Radiance Gala Shines Bright: Samantha Quan and Aika Miyake Honored Amidst Powerful Night of API Celebration
On Saturday night, leaders in the Asian American film and television industry descended on the Beverly Hilton to celebrate the Unforgettable Gala, produced by Character Media. Continue reading Unforgettable Gala 2024: A Celebration of AAPI Voices in Hollywood
At Disney’s FYC Fest event held at the Directors Guild of America Theater on June 11th, Sanada, who also received his first producer credit for ‘Shōgun’, joined co-creators, executive producers, and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, producer Eriko Miyagawa, executive producer (and daughter of James Clavell) Michaela Clavell, and fellow actors Tadanobu Asano (Kashige Yobushige) and Anna Sawai (Lady Toda Mariko) for an evening in which invited attendees and media were treated to a screening of the pilot episode of ‘Shōgun’, followed by a panel hosted by writer and podcaster Joanna Robinson. Additionally, Awards Focus was able to speak to the cast and creators at the “red carpet” event that preceded the screening. Continue reading A Masterclass in Authentic Storytelling: FX’s ‘Shōgun’ Celebrated at Disney FYC Event
