As graduation season and Fathers’ Day weekend neared, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience (APFE) celebrated AANHPI filmmakers, storytellers, creatives and community leaders at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City (#APANYC). This year marked the third time in partnering with local AANHPI film partner, Asian CineVision (ACV) , to uplift and highlight new and veteran community voices at one the country’s most renowned film festivals.
Held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Asian American-owned Sour Mouse Social Club on the Lower East Side, the full house first welcomed WGAE writer Madhuri Shekar (Evil Eye, The Nevers and the upcoming Sister Act 3) to discuss the ramifications of the ongoing WGA Strike and how it specifically affects our AANHPI communities and projects.
Afterwards, a selection of cinematic artists of Asian American and Pacific islander descent featured throughout Tribeca 2023 joined moderator Kat Moon of TV Guide for an intriguing conversation spotlighting their works. Joining Kat were:
H.P. Mendoza – Director, THE SECRET ART OF HUMAN FLIGHT
Annelise Hickey – Director, HAFEKASI
Taylor Shung – Producer, SOMEWHERE QUIET and THE GRADUATES
Jennifer Kim – Actor, SOMEWHERE QUIET
Sean Devlin – Director, ASOG
Jaya – Screenwriter, ASOG
Adrian Tomine – Screenwriter, SHORTCOMINGS
Attendees were treated to complimentary drinks and delicious appetizers from local NYC Chinatown eateries. Notable guests in attendance included writer/director Andrew Ahn and producer Sanjay M. Sharma. In addition to celebrating three years at Tribeca, the day marked the birthdays of guest panelists Annelise Hickey and Jennifer Kim, who were serenaded on stage by the audience and fellow panelists.
APFE organizers David Magdael (Co-Founder, APFE), Milton Liu (Executive Director, Asian American Media Alliance & WGA West member), Michelle Sugihara (Executive Director, CAPE), Minji Chang (Board Member, Kollaboration), and Marvin Yueh (HappyEcstatic Media) welcomed attendees and thanked them for supporting AANHPI filmmakers and storytellers at Tribeca. Kayla Wong, Programs / Festival Director and Eunice Chen, Associate Director / Development, for Asian CineVision, producers of the Asian American International Film Festival, also welcomed guests to the organization’s hometown. For folks experiencing FOMO, event photographer Slaven Vlasic of Getty Images made a wonderful set of images in his official capacity as Event Photographer that can be found here. Additionally, a set of event photos by Andrew Ge can be found here.
Next up, catch the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience at Comic-Con, Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF), and Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with the Reel Asian Film Festival. Plus, planning is underway for the 20th anniversary of the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience at the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals in Park City, Utah. Save the Date for Sunday, January 21, 2024 and we will see you in the snowy mountains, if not sooner!
Click here to see who we celebrated at Tribeca 2023
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