ABOUT THE ASIAN PACIFIC FILMMAKERS EXPERIENCE

Established in 2002 through the efforts of former Visual Communications Executive Director Linda Mabalot and entertainment publicists Winston Emano and David Magdael, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience in Park City has become the vehicle through which cinematic artists of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent are afforded a space to be spotlighted and to make their presence felt at Sundance Film Festival, Slamdance Film Festival, South By Southwest Film Festival, VC Film Fest, CAAMFest, Tribeca Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Hawai’i International Film Festival, and more.

Having recognized over 1,000 directors, producers, and screenwriters since 2002, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience brings artists, creators and industry insiders together in celebration of our experiences and resources as we recognize our amazing talents who tell our stories and create compelling media projects that shift the landscape, change hearts and minds, and announce our presence.

APFE THROUGH THE YEARS

Since its beginnings in Park City in 2002, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience has celebrated the achievements of 1000+ cinematic artists of Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Asian international descent.

Initially supported by the Utah State Film Commission and individual donors, the very first Experience Reception in 2002 attracted over 300 guests to the China Panda Restaurant along Park Avenue. Subsequent editions continued to attract supporters of Asian Pacific American and Asian international cinema, whose profile has steadily increased over the course of over fifteen years. Many of them have been recognized multiple times for their return visits to Park City's film festivals with works of increasing technical and storytelling accomplishment, and quite a few have enjoyed highly-coveted yet hard-earned mainstream notoriety. Anyone heard of Justin Lin (Sundance 2002, 2007)? Or how about Taika Waititi (Sundance 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2016)? What about Grace Lee (Slamdance 2007)? Or Academy Award-winning director Jessica Yu (Sundance 1999, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012)?

Through the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience, we have created a space in which our communities' cinematic artists, from features, shorts — narratives and documentaries alike — trans- and new media, to site-specific happenings are recognized, celebrated, and supported. Here is a brief visual history of the first fifteen years of APFE: