One of the key ways we uplift Asian American stories here at Center for Asian American Media is by supporting filmmakers to grow in their careers. This week, we are reflecting on the ways CAAM has expanded our talent development programs to reach new, underserved segments of our community. Our efforts were especially focused in the Midwest, where Asian American creatives often don’t have the large ethnic communities or metropolitan art scenes more available on the East or West Coasts.
In June, as part of a four-day slate of programs around the Vincent Chin 40th Remembrance and Rededication, CAAM hosted the first Midwest Asian American Documentary Filmmakers Convening in Detroit. More than 50 documentary filmmakers and media arts professionals gathered for two days of learning and discussions, led by leaders including veteran directors Renee Tajima-Peña and Grace Lee, as well as filmmakers David Siev, Joua Lee Grande, Razi Jafri, and Zosette Guir of Detroit Public Television among others. For many in attendance, it was a rare–or even first–time to gather with other Asian American makers.
CAAM also partnered with Firelight Media and PBS to launch the HOMEGROWN: Future Visions regional short film initiative focused on the Midwest. The program mentored eight BIPOC filmmakers who live far from the coasts. Homegrown Future Visions will be premiering on PBS Digital Studios in Spring 2023 and potentially on public broadcast later in the year. CAAM’s earlier initiative, The Sauce, which provided mentorship to emerging Asian American filmmakers from the South, also culminated this fall as we partnered with WORLD Channel for the digital release of a series of five films produced under the guidance of NOVAC’s Saleem Reshamwalla and Darcy McKinnon. These short documentaries reflect the realities of young Asian Americans, such as growing up Japanese and Mexican in a Texas border town or being part of a tight-knit Hmong community in rural North Carolina.
In addition to these newer initiatives, CAAM is also proud to continue our Fellowship, with three filmmakers–Pallavi Somusetty, Kevin Truong, and Norbert Shieh– being mentored by Su Kim, Marjan Safina, and Hao Wu. This fall, the three Fellows had a chance to pitch their films to a panel of industry judges, with Truong taking home a $10,000 award.
Each week in December, we will reflect on an aspect of our work during the past year. Check the blog to learn more about CAAM’s work in amplifying Asian American narratives and support this mission to bring our stories to the widest possible audience by making a year-end donation to the Center for Asian American Media.
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