APFE Takes Final Bow in Park City for 22nd Edition
By Milton Liu & Laarni Rosca Dacanay
Bittersweet and celebratory, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience (APFE) hosted its 22nd and final Park City edition on Sunday, January 25, 2026, during the opening weekend at the Sundance Film Festival. At Alpine Distilling, APFE honored 34 Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander films, closing a remarkable chapter while spotlighting our voices leading cinema forward.
Thank you to our 22nd Edition Partners, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Visual Communications, International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN), Tunnel Post, Edward Lew, and A-DOC. None of this would be possible without them.
Thank you to everyone who came out to a cold Park City and filled the room with warm inspiration. Thank you to the entire APFE team for your tireless (volunteer) work to bring the Final Edition to life. Thank you Summer Prescott, Carey Ofahengaue, Charlie Prescott, and the entire Savage Fish team for the delicious poke and lumpia. Thank you Andrew Ge for capturing the moments so beautifully. Thank you also to the ACV volunteers. Thank you to Raina Yang, Mynette Louie, David Magdael, The Population, and David Magdael & Associates, for producing the memorable slideshow of noted AANHPI films throughout the past 22 years. And last but not least, thank you to Sara Sergent, Xania Woodman, and the entire Alpine Distilling staff for the incredible hospitality!
Welcome
The event kicked off with a welcome from the APFE Organizing Leaders: Asian American Media Alliance, CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment), David Magdael & Associates, Kollaboration, Laarni Rosca Dacanay, and Visual Communications – whose longstanding collaboration has shaped APFE into a cornerstone gathering for AANPHI storytellers. David Magdael reflected on APFE’s origin at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival during the premiere of Justin Lin’s BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, one of the first Asian American-directed films showcased at the iconic festival. “I was here in 2002 and this room didn’t look like this. We’re here to celebrate you and our stories,” Magdael reflected.
(All photos by Andrew Ge).
APFE Co-Founder David Magdael welcomes a full-house crowd.
Fireside Chat presented by International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN)
The afternoon opened with a special Fireside Chat presented by International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN).Co-founded by film industry veterans Angela Laprete, Brian Keaulana and Robert Suka, ICAN champions the elevation, education and empowerment of diversity with focus on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) in Hawai’i’s TV and Film Industry, while bridging cultural connections globally through storytelling and entertainment.
International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN) Co-Founder and veteran Film & TV Producer Angela Laprete.
Laprete opened the conversation by highlighting the importance of elevating Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander voices across the entertainment landscape, championing representation that is both visible and meaningful. She then introduced Brandon Finn (CHIEF OF WAR), Lindsay Watson (THE WIND & THE RECKONING), who joined moderator Keoni TeTawa Bowthorpe (director and cinematographer) for a dynamic discussion.
Fireside Chat moderated by Keoni TeTawa Bowthorpe, with Brandon Finn, and Lindsay Watson.
Filmmakers Premiering at Sundance
Next, guests were treated to the “Filmmakers Premiering at Sundance Panel” featuring filmmakers Poh Si Teng (Director, AMERICAN DOCTOR), Stephanie Ahn (Director & Writer, BEDFORD PARK - winner of US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Debut Feature), and Jill Sachs (Director & Writer, TAGA), moderated by APFE Co-Founder and veteran film publicist David Magdael.
“Filmmakers Premiering at Sundance Panel” moderated by David Magdael, with Poh Si Teng (AMERICAN DOCTOR), Stephanie Ahn (BEDFORD PARK), and Jill Sachs (TAGA).
Presentation of the 2026 Irene Cho Pioneer Award
The program ended with the presentation to Geeta Ghandbhir of the 2026 Irene Cho Award, named in honor of one of the original founders of APFE, filmmaker and Asian American storytelling advocate Irene Cho – who passed away unexpectedly in 2017. The Award is given in Cho’s memory to an artist, creator, or industry leader who exemplifies APFE’s mission of supporting AANHPI filmmakers in all aspects from resource building, networking, consulting and inspiration. Past recipients include Kim Yutani (Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival), Nina Yang Bongiovi (Producer/Partner, Significant Productions), Jean Tsien (Film producer, Emmy Award winner “76 Days” and Oscar nominee “Scottsboro: An American Tragedy”), Visual Communications, David Magdael (Publicist, Producer and Social Impact Leader), and Robert A. Nakamura (award-winning filmmaker, the “Godfather of Asian American Media”).
Geeta Ghandbhir (2026 Academy Award Double Nominee Director, Producer and Editor) is presented with the 2026 Irene Cho Award from APFE Leaders Milton Liu (Filmmaker and Executive Director, Asian American Media Alliance) and Minji Chang (Actor, Producer and Kollaboration Board Member).
Guests then continued to mingle and enjoy fresh poke and lumpia by Savage Fish, and specially curated drinks and mocktails by Alpine Distilling. Notable guests included Nina Yang Bongiovi (FRUITVALE STATION, BEDFORD PARK), Bao Nguyen (BE WATER), Chris Pang (CRAZY RICH ASIANS), Tad Nakamura (award-winning director), Hannah Ngo (LEVICTUS), Kim Adis (GET EVEN), Michelle Krusiec (SAVING FACE), Mynette Louie (ROSEMEAD), Harshini Boyalla (PANKAJA), Prajwal HP (PANKAJA), and Alan Pao (IT FOLLOWS).
Guests in line for the 22nd and final Park City edition of the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience.
Shoyu Tuna and Spicy Tuna Poke by local Pasifika women-owned, born and raised in Hawai’i business, Savage Fish.
Neil Ka’apuni, Alan Pao (Tunnel Post CEO and APFE Sponsor) and Milton Liu (Filmmaker, APFE Leader and Executive Director, Asian American Media Alliance).
Jamie Hernandez Bache (Manager, Warner Bros. Discovery Access Writers Program), Jandiz Estrada Cardoso (Director, Sundance Institute Episodic Labs), and Angela Laprete (Co-Founder, International Cultural Arts Network and veteran producer).
Ryan Fukuda (Visual Communications) and guests mingle and network.
Sundance short film “Taga” actors Kim Adis and Lisa Jacqueline Starrett (far left and center) celebrate with director Jill Sachs (far right).
Ed Lew (The Walt Disney Company Assistant Chief Counsel and APFE Sponsor) with Melly Lee.
Christina Knudsen with award-winning filmmaker Bao Nguyen.
International Cultural Artists Network (ICAN) with Hawaii born and raised, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika guests.
Liz Jamora (Cinema Sala team photographer), Dino-Ray Ramos (entertainment journalist and founder of non-profit media organization Diaspora), with Cynthia San Luis (Cinema Sala), and Marie Jamora (Filmmaker and Cinema Sala Founder).
APFE Leaders Minji Chang and Laarni Rosca Dacanay with former Comcast NBCUniversal executive Steve Proper (center) with Julia and Keith Perkins.
APFE “Roll Call” Group Photo.
APFE Leaders and Organizing Team, including Laarni Rosca Dacanay, Michelle Sugihara, Minji Chang, Jes Vu, Rhian Moore, Grace Kao, David Magdael, Francis Cullado, and Milton Liu.
See more photos from Andrew Ge.
Learn more about the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience and how it all began in 2002.
Be sure to follow APFE (@apfexp) on Instagram for more updates.
