Filmmaker Yuriko Gamo Romer Supports CAAM

"Without CAAM, filmmakers like myself could not grow and present the world with moving stories and films."

PremiereMy name is Yuriko Gamo Romer. I was born in Japan but I have lived in the U.S. since I was a baby, mostly in non-Asian communities. Having spent most of my childhood trying to fit in and not be different, it is quite liberating now to have a community and a career that allow me to explore and identify with both of my cultures.

I think it is very important that the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) encourages and provides a platform for the Asian and Asian American voice and perspective. For me this means the American perspective, the Japanese perspective and the Japanese American perspective. I made a career change in my late thirties and my very first short film, Reflection, was presented at CAAM’s San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (now CAAMFest) in 1997.

Years later, CAAM was invaluable in the production, world premiere and broadcast of my last documentary, Mrs. Judo. In 2011, CAAM awarded me with a documentary production grant for Mrs. Judo. The grant was given through CAAM’s Media Fund, through which CAAM provides critical funding to independent filmmakers and projects each year. In 2012, Mrs. Judo had its world premiere at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Two years later, in May 2014, the film premiered on PBS during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

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Over the years, the CAAM team has been incredibly supportive and nurturing of my career. CAAM’s Festival and Exhibitions Director Masashi Niwano is a wonderful asset for CAAMFest and filmmakers. CAAMFest is one of the most filmmaker-friendly festivals I’ve experienced around the world. CAAM’s Director of Programs Don Young has been a valuable mentor and advisor to me.

I look forward to staying in close touch with CAAM again for my latest film, Diamond Diplomacy, about U.S.- Japan relations through the shared love of baseball. CAAM has been my filmmaking ally throughout my entire career. 

I believe CAAM is a wonderful organization. Without CAAM, filmmakers like myself could not grow and present the world with moving stories and films.

I plan to be a part of the CAAM family forever! I encourage you to join me as a member of the CAAM Fam by donating $35 or more to CAAM’s crowdfunding campaign Amplify Stories to Light at www.CAAMedia.org/Amplify by December 31st.

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Your generous donation will insure CAAM continues to bring our Stories to Light.

Best,

Yuriko Gamo Romer
Director/Producer/Editor
Flying Carp Productions

 

Main image:  Mrs. Judo (Sensei Keiko Fukuda) and filmmaker Yuriko Gamo Romer. Photo by Monica Lee Photography.

Top right image: Yuriko Gamo Romer’s husband Bill, son Niko and the filmmaker at the premiere of Mrs. Judo at CAAM’s San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival in March 2012. Photo by Monica Lee Photography.

Bottom right image: Fellow long-time CAAM filmmaker partner S. Leo Chiang, Yuriko Gamo Romer’s son/PA Niko and the filmmaker are on location at AT&T park for Diamond Diplomacy. Photo by Monica Lee Photography.