CAAM was founded 46 years ago with the mission of supporting documentary filmmakers who are exploring topics about Asian and Asian American life.
This May, CAAM celebrates the national Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month with more than 12 films or series presented on PBS and PBS affiliates.
“We’re proud to continue a robust public media pipeline,” said CAAM Executive Director Don Young. “All of these films are resonant to Asian Americans at this moment: intergenerational, assessing the past, and moving forward with hope.”
Included in the lineup is Tadashi Nakamura’s Third Act (CAAMFest 2025 Opening Night film), the popular food series Lucky Chow in its eighth season with host Danielle Chang, and. In total, 20 episodes, short films, series, and feature-length documentaries will air on PBS (check local listings) and PBS’ YouTube and apps. Below is a list in alphabetical order.
Asian Americans (starting May 1, 2026 on PBS and PBS’ YouTube documentaries)
This seminal five episode series takes a fresh approach in exploring Asian Americans in the U.S. The series originally aired in 2020. Asian Americans is a production of WETA in Washington, D.C. and the Center for Asian American Media for PBS, in association with Independent Television Service (ITVS), Flash Cuts, and Tajima-Pena Productions. (TRT: five hours)
The animated short film, airing on PBS’ POV series, recounts a woman’s family’s escape from Vietnam. Directed by Kjell Boersma and Thao Lam and narrated by Lam. (TRT: 10 mins 24 seconds)
The short film, airing on PBS’ POV series, is a slice-of-life documentary about a young Kyrgyz woman named Atlynai who works as a truck driver while in medical school. Directed by Aisha Sultanbekova (TRT: 11:13 minutes)
This documentary, directed by Leslie Tai, explores the stories of women and families who travel to the U.S. from China to give birth, taking a peek at the underground industry behind this phenomenon. Through these stories, she shares the hopes and thoughts behind this decision, while asking the bigger question: what makes an American? This feature-length documentary, presented by POV, first premiered in 2023. (TRT: 120 minutes)
Home is Hotel looks at the lives of five single residence occupancy (SRO) tenants in San Francisco over the span of six years, an intimate portrayal of immigrant lives who have hopes and dreams. The award-winning film explores inequality in the global city that is home to tech investors and houseless people. The film airs May 11 on KQED and other stations (check local listings). Directed by Kevin Wong, Kar Yin Tham, and Todd Sills. (TRT:
The personal documentary spans four generations, exploring mental illness, war, and healing. Locations span from China during the Communist Revolution to Taiwan and the U.S. This is Vicky Du’s feature documentary directorial debut. Light of the Setting Sun premieres on PBS on May 18 (also check local listings). (TRT:
Liquor Store Dreams This POV-presented film follows two Korean American children whose parents own a liquor store. The film explores the past, including the LA risings and the police beating of Rodney King, as well as the murder of Latasha Harlins. It asks the question of what does social and economic justice look like? Directed by So Yun Um and presented by American Documentary with the Center for Asian American Media. (TRT: 90 minutes).
This fun and insightful culinary show with host Danielle Chang is in its 8th season, and better than ever. In this CAAM-funded series, Chang takes us through European cities: in Copenhagen to explore Asian influences on Nordic food; Milan’s Chinatown and the fusion of Italian and Chinese cuisines and histories; Berlin’s Asian creatives scene; and London’s Chinatown to explore the history of curry, teas, and spices in four brand episodes of the popular food series. Premieres May 1 on PBS (check local listings). (TRT: TK).
Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision
The documentary follows the story of Maya Lin, the architect of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and remembers the cost of war. “It’s really the people, not the politics, which is what this piece is about,” Lin says in the documentary. Directed by Frieda Lee Mock, the film originally premiered in 1994 and won an Academy Award in 1995. Now, more than 30 years later, revisit the film that follows the young Lin, whose vision remained steadfast despite public attacks on her work. Presented by American Documentary with the Center for Asian American Media. Check local listings. (TRT: 82 minutes).
This personal documentary from Tadashi Nakamura turns the camera on the life of Robert Nakamura, Tadashi’s father, who is known as the “godfather of Asian American cinema.” The film explores Nakamura’s past as a professor as a young man in Los Angeles, a professor at UCLA, a father and grandfather, and a filmmaker. The film includes the relationship within their family, including his mother, Karen L. Ishizuka, Tadashi’s own young family, as Tadashi faces the inevitable death of his revered father. The PBS premiere of Third Act is May 25 (check local listings). (TRT:
In this family portrait, the filmmaker interviews her parents, who are refugees from Viet Nam, about their childhood, their motherland, and their late parents. Directed by Vi Tuong Bui, the short film is now streaming on PBS’ POV. The film originally aired in 2024 (TRT: 8:04).
This personal, poetic documentary by veteran filmmaker Rea Tajiri explores her relationship with her mother, who is battling dementia, and about Tajiri’s caregiving journey. Filmed over the course of 16 years, the filmmaker asks her Nisei mother questions about her past. Directed by Rea Tajiri. Presented by PBS’ POV, this film originally premiered in 2023. (TRT: 90 minutes)