Time to meet another Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Masashi Niwano, Director of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.
Who are you?
My name is Masashi Niwano, but most of my friends call me Sush or Masa. I find that people either like my name or are really confused by it.
What are you?
I'm the new Festival and Exhibitions Director at the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), who presents the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF). I'm also an active filmmaker and Japanese American.
Where are you?
Right now, I'm in a very hectic office in San Francisco. I'm drinking some hot tea and staring at tons of empty mugs on my desk. There's endless construction outside of my window; it sounds like a circus.
Where are you from?
I'm from Campbell, California. For the longest time, I assumed that Campbell's soup was located in my city, but that would be false. Campbell is in the South Bay somewhere between San Jose and Saratoga. Growing up, all we really had was one neat comic book store and a kinda kick ass community center. It's much more different now. I realized this when some of my SF friends wanted drive down to Campbell… to go bar hopping?
What do you do?
I have the privilege of running a fantastic film festival. In college, I interned at SFIAAFF for one semester and I was hooked. Actually, I remember chilling with Mr. Angry Asian Man when you were working there. Good times. After college, I moved to Austin, Texas and was the Executive Director of the Austin Asian American Film Festival for four years. Now I'm back in the Bay Area and so proud (and honored) to be here at CAAM.
I also make films, most likely with the following content/themes: Asian American experiences, queer or gender identity, coming of age stories and activism.
What are you all about?
I'm all about storytelling. How we can share each other's creativity and unique experiences. Helping find audiences for artists. Cultivating, advising and showcasing the next generation of Asian American media makers.
What makes you angry?
- Raw onions
- People who hate or protest art, before actually seeing it.
- People who are rude to cab drivers.
- People who say, "why should I care about Asian American cinema, I'm not Asian American?"
- Bottled drinks.
