'Minari' Takes Double Top Honors at Sundance Film Festival

Things to Know From Angry Asian America



Minari Scores Double Top Honors at the Sundance Film Festival Awards
Writer/director Lee Isaac Chung's Minari took double top honors at the Sundance Film Festival's annual awards ceremony on Saturday night, winning both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. Based on Chung’s real life, the drama follows a Korean American family that moves from Los Angeles to Arkansas to chase the American Dream. This is definitely one to watch, folks.




The Outbreak Narrative and How Fear Fuels Our Xenophobia and Racism
"Let’s be clear about this: Your fear does not justify your racism and xenophobia. Your jokes and performative panic about the coronavirus are not funny. They are deeply pointless and trivialize something that should be taken seriously. And they are creating an environment of fear, panic and disinformation that’s more dangerous than the disease itself."

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How Andrew Yang Quieted the Asian American Right
"The Chinese social-media platform WeChat, once a hub for anti-affirmative-action organizers, is now reverberating with blue-hat emojis and cries for universal basic income. The flip can largely be linked to excitement surrounding one particular presidential candidate: Andrew Yang, the 45-year-old entrepreneur and political newbie who is also among the most successful Asian Americans to ever run for president. With the high level of support that Yang is getting from Asian voters, he has quieted the vocal conservative Asian American contingent that had been pulling the community to the right."



Call upon Indiana University to rectify for its ban on Japanese Americans
In May 1942, in the wake of Franklin D. Roosvelt's Executive Order 9066, Indiana University's Board of Trustees ruled that "no Jap. be admitted to Indiana University." About a dozen Japanese Americans were denied admission, including those which lived in Indiana. The Nisei College Redress Project is currently working with faculty, alumni, and community members at Indiana University to secure an apology for the Japanese Americans who were denied admission. If you are a member of the IU community, sign on to the letter here.

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HBO Max Wins 5-Bidder Auction For YA Novel 'I'll Be The One'
HBO Max will adapt Lyla Lee's upcoming young adult novel I'll Be The One into a feature film, with Fresh Off The Boat's Nahnatchka Khan attached to produce and possibly direct, from a script by Colleen McGuinness. The story centers on 16-year-old Skye Shin -- a bi-sexual, Korean-American girl -- as she pursues her dreams as a participant on reality TV singing and dancing competition "K-Pop Shining Star." With the help of her new friends and her crush, world famous model Henry Cho, Skye faces the industry"s old-fashioned beauty standards head on, setting her sights on becoming a K-pop star -- one the world has never seen before.

Could 'Parasite' win Best Picture at the Oscars?

Things to Know From Angry Asian America



'Parasite' Makes History With Best Cast Win at SAG Awards
Parasite won the SAG Award for best performance by a cast in a motion picture on Sunday night, making history as the first foreign-language film to win in the category. Park So-dam, Lee Sun-kyun, Choi Woo-shik, Lee Jung-eun and Song Kang-ho were among the castmembers that took the stage to accept the award. The honor furthers the possibility of Parasite -- which earned South Korea its first-ever Academy Award nomination -- making a very serious run at becoming the first non-English-language film to ever win the best picture Oscar.

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ICE deported 25 Cambodian immigrants, most of whom arrived in the U.S. as refugees
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement quietly deported an estimated 25 Cambodian immigrants last week. The group largely consisted of individuals who arrived in the country legally as refugees after the Vietnam War but have been convicted of crimes. While this was the first round of repatriations this year, it's just the latest in an increased wave of deportations in the Southeast Asian community under the Trump administration.

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Body Found in Alhambra Identified as Missing San Gabriel Woman With Dementia
Coroner's officials on Saturday identified a woman whose body was discovered in a drainage ditch near an Alhambra golf course Friday afternoon as a 71-year-old woman with "severe dementia" and other medical problems who went missing from her San Gabriel home earlier this week.

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Train Like An Astronaut: Kelly Marie Tran and Naomi Ackie
Kelly Marie Tran and Naomi Ackie recently spent the day at NASA's Johnson Space Center training like astronauts and learning about NASA's plans to explore the Moon with the new Artemis program, which includes landing the first woman and next man on the lunar surface by 2024. See Tran and Ackie training with NASA astronauts Meghan McArthur and Jessica Watkins on a gravity offload system, in the Orion crew capsule, an exploration rover and more. Literally more action than they saw in The Rise of Skywalker.

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16th Annual Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience in Park City
If you're headed to the film festivities in Park City, Utah this week, join the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience -- now in its 16th year -- in celebration of the wide range of films and creative projects by Asian Pacific filmmakers at the 2020 Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals. There will be multiple events to attend from Friday, January 24th to Sunday, January 26th. Learn more here.

Elevate, Incubate & Demonstrate: Advancing Asian American Artists

Panel and Reception, Sunday, January 22 in Park City, Utah.



This week, the indie film world converges on cold, snowy Park City, Utah for the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. And yes, it may be a little hard to find amidst all the white, but over the years there has been a small but scrappy and significant APA presence at the festival. And it's growing. So if you're headed to Park City, check out this panel discussion/reception hosted by a coalition of APA media folks.

Elevate, Incubate & Demonstrate: Advancing Asian American Artists will feature a panel of creatives and industry leaders in conversation on the current and future state of Asian Americans in media. It's happening Sunday, January 22 at Bodega on Main. Here are some more details about the event:

Joe Seo wins Sundance Special Jury Award for 'Spa Night'

Actor wins award for Breakthrough Performance in writer/director Andrew Ahn's feature debut.



Over the weekend, the 2016 Sundance Film Festival wrapped up ten days of premieres and deals by handing out awards for the festival's top films. Huge congratulations go to actor Joe Seo, who won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance in Spa Night.

Seo plays 18-year-old David Cho, the closeted son of immigrants parents living and working in Los Angeles' Koreatown. As his parents struggle to make ends meet, David grapples with his awakening independence, sexuality and Korean American identity in writer/director Andrew Ahn's quiet, confident feature film debut.

Joe wasn't even at Saturday night's Closing Awards Ceremony, but Andrew was on hand to accept the award on his behalf. Here's video of Andrew collecting the trophy:

Don't Give Up: A filmmaker looks back at the Sundance short that got his foot in the door

Guest Post by Tze Chun



Writer/director Tze Chun, whose credits include Children of Invention, Cold Comes the Night and ABC's Once Upon a Time, looks back at the short film that jumpstarted his film and television career, ten years later.

Ten years ago this weekend, I directed a short film called Windowbreaker. The budget was $600, I shot it in my childhood home, and the crew consisted of three people, including my producer Bryan Wilson, who also acted in the movie. The kids in this movie were kids my mom knew from the neighborhood. My mom acted in the movie. The lighting kit was $70 for the weekend. The other crew consisted of my girlfriend (now wife)'s little sister and her little sister's best friend. I rented expendables from the same suburban camera lighting rental place where I rented lights for my senior project in high school.

Apply to the Sundance Institute's Asian American Feature Film Fellowship

Deadline extended to June 22.



Hey filmmakers! Got a story to tell? Here's an awesome opportunity for you... The Sundance Institute's Asian American Feature Film Fellowship aims to further the presence of Asian American voices in independent film. Made possible in part by the A3 Foundation and Naja and David Lockwood, the Fellowship will support an Asian American writer (or writer-director) on the development of their feature screenplay through participation in a Screenwriters Lab, Screenwriters Intensive, or Creative Producing Summit.

The Fellowship, which is currently accepting applications, is open to writers or writer-directors developing their first or second narrative feature film and of Asian American descent, or with significant themes and/or characters relating to the Asian American experience in their screenplay.

Here are some more details about the Fellowship:

Celebrate AAPI Filmmakers at Sundance & Slamdance

Asian Pacific Filmmakers Reception, Sunday January 25 in Park City



If you are one of the bundled up cinephiles making the snowy trek to Park City, Utah for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, you might be interested to know that there is some serious AAPI representation in the programming this year, at both Sundance and the rival upstart festival Slamdance.

Whether you're a filmmaker or film supporter, come help celebrate at the 11th Annual Asian Pacific Filmmakers Reception, happening Sunday, January 25 at Club 301 - The Funn Networks Space in Park City.

Here are some more details about the reception:

Justin Lin to adapt 'Battered Bastards of Baseball'

Lin's Perfect Storm acquires remake rights for Sundance sports documentary



So what's Justin Lin working on now? Add yet another movie to his giant, growing pile of projects. The Fast & Furious director's production company Perfect Storm beat out several buyers at the Sundance Film Festival to acquire the narrative remake rights for the documentary The Battered Bastards of Baseball.

Sundance: Justin Lin to Adapt 'Battered Bastards of Baseball' Doc (Exclusive)

The sports documentary, which premiered last week at Sundance, tells the unheralded true story of the late Hollywood veteran actor Bing Russell -- father of Kurt -- who in 1973 created the only independent baseball team in America at the time, the Portland Mavericks, a ragtag underdog team that defied the odds.

It's just one of those feel-good sports stories. You can see why studios like Columbia Pictures, Fox Searchlight and DreamWorks were all clamoring for a shot at the remake rights. But Justin's got 'em.

'To Be Takei' to premiere at 2014 Sundance Film Festival

Feature documentary on a star's trek for life, liberty and love



Oh my, moviegoers. I'm a little bummed that I can't attend the Sundance Film Festival this year. Maybe next time. One of the films I really wanted to see was the world premiere of To Be Takei, a feature documentary about Star Trek icon and human rights activist George Takei. Directed by Jennifer M. Kroot, the film follows George and his husband Brad on a star's profound trek for life, liberty and love.

Here's the film's description from the Sundance program:

Apply to the Sundance/A3 Foundation Feature Film Fellowship

Hey Asian American filmmakers! Got an awesome screenplay? This is for you.

The recently established A3 (Asian American Artists) Foundation Fellowship is part of the Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program Screenwriters and Directors Labs. This Fellowship aims to support Asian American writers (or writer-directors) through the development of their feature screenplay, as well as screenplay content that is Asian American-themed.

The A3 Fellowship is now accepting applications to participate in the 2014 January Sundance Screenwriters Lab. Here are some more details:

Roger Ebert, Champion of Asian American Cinema

Roger Ebert, probably the most influential film critic ever, died today after battling cancer. A giant who changed the face of movie criticism, he is perhaps best remembered to a generation as co-host of TV's Siskel and Ebert at the Movies with fellow Chicago movie critic Gene Siskel, with whom he famously coined the phrase "two thumbs up." He was 70: Roger Ebert Remembered: A Critic Who Changed The Game.

He was also a frequent champion of Asian American independent cinema. Or rather, he was a passionate advocate of good storytelling from oft-overlooked and marginalized filmmakers, regardless of race and background. I grew up watching Siskel and Ebert, and Roger Ebert's writing was a profound inspiration for my life's pursuits, but there is one moment that forever cemented my respect for Mr. Ebert: his outspoken defense of a film during a heated post-screening Q & A at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival.

The movie: Justin Lin's Better Luck Tomorrow. The little indie film that could.

Jeremy Lin defeats snowstorm, makes it to Sundance screening

He made it. Jeremy Lin, the superstar subject of the feature documentary Linsanity, was scheduled to appear at the film's final screening last night at the Sundance Film Festival. But with a snowstorm coming down outside, grounding planes, it seemed like the weather might foil those plans.

But according to director Evan Jackson Leong, "If you've seen the film, you know nothing is going to stop Jeremy Lin - even a snowstorm": Snowstorm can't keep Jeremy Lin from Sundance screening.

Jeremy Lin will attend the Sundance Film Festival

It's official. Jeremy Lin will attend the Sundance Film Festival next weekend for the final screening of Evan Jackson Leong's documentary Linsanity: Jeremy Lin to attend Sundance Film Festival.

The film, which chronicles Jeremy's rise unexpected rise from NBA benchwarmer to international basketball superstar, premiered last Sunday in Park City, Utah. Jeremy, who will happen to be in town with the Rockets to play the Utah Jazz, will reportedly attend the January 27 screening with some of his teammates.

This will be happening at the tail-end of Sundance, when the hype has usually died down a bit, but a guest appearance by Jeremy Lin on the festival's final day will definitely be... well, Linsane. Good times. Oh, and here's The Hollywood Reporter's review of the film: Linsanity: Sundance Review.

Meanwhile, a reminder that the folks behind Linsanity are currently in the throes of a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds towards finishing the film. Licenses and all that ain't cheap, yo. Why not kick in a few bucks and support this extraordinary project?

A3 Foundation announces partnership with Sundance Institute

I'm excited to relay this news about the A3 Foundation, a new venture to promote Asian Americans in entertainment. Founded by a group of early Facebook employee, their goal is to diversity and support Asian American voices and faces in American media through television, film and online media.

This week at special reception at the Sundance Film Festival, they announced a collaboration with the Sundance Institute to establish the A3 Sundance Institute Director/Screenwriting Fellowship, which will support a talented artist with an Asian American-themed project from among the Fellows selected by the prestigious Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Directing or Screenwriting Lab.

The A3 Foundation has already launched its first Fellows Program, collaborating with established online mediamakers Wong Fu Productions and YOMYOMF to pair fellows with funding and mentorship.

To learn more about the Asian American Artists Foundation, go to the A3 website.

Back from the 2013 Sundance Film Festival

I am back from the wintry wilds of Park City, Utah, where I partook in the annual celebration of independent cinema known as the Sundance Film Festival. I saw films, friends and much colder weather than my west coast constitution is used to, but it was a fun whirlwind weekend. Here are a few cool things I experienced...

Watch the trailer for the Sundance documentary When I Walk

The personal documentary When I Walk makes it world premiere next week at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2006, at age 25, filmmaker Jason DaSilva turned the camera on himself when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Six years in the making, the film chronicles the slow, difficult decline of his body and the miracles he encountered along the way. I watched this trailer and I almost cried:

10th Annual Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience in Park City, January 22

See you soon, Utah. I'm Sundance-bound. Yes, this weekend I am headed to cold of Park City in the name of independent cinema. If you're going and happen to be around next Tuesday, you're invited to the celebrate The 10th Annual Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience in Park City, a reception recognizing all the Asian Pacific filmmakers with works screening at this year's Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals. It's happening January 22 at the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Gallery. The details:

linsanity: the movie website

The feature documentary Linsanity, an official selection of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, now has an official website: linsanitythemovie.com. Not much there right now, but you can submit your email to sign up for updates.

The film, directed by Evan Leong, tells the story of Jeremy Lin's unlikely rise to basketball stardom. It will have its world premiere next month in Park City, Utah. Here's the description from the Sundance program guide:

linsanity documentary makes 2013 sundance lineup

Holy smokes! The 2013 Sundance Film Festival just announced its latest selection of feature documentaries, and the lineup includes the world premiere of Linsanity, a film about -- you guessed it -- NBA star Jeremy Lin.

Directed by Evan Leong, Linsanity follows Jeremy's incredible story, from his humble Bay Area roots to his unlikely, meteoric rise to stardom. You remember last February -- but how did he get there? Here's the Sundance blurb:

Justin Lin had a racist encounter with Tom Arnold at Sundance

Yes, that was "Tom F--cking Arnold" making "ching chong" noises at the cast and crew of 'Finishing the Game.'



Now that the dust (or snow) from Park City's Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals has settled, Jeff Yang's latest "Asian Pop" column talks with the filmmakers behind some of this year's high-profile Asian American indie films, including American Zombie's Grace Lee, Dark Matter and Year of the Fish's Janet Yang and Finishing the Game's Justin Lin.

My favorite part is the very end, where Justin Lin recounts that he almost got into a fight with Tom Arnold, who apparently made "ching chong" noises at him and the cast and crew of Finishing the Game during a photo shoot -- a reminder that there are still some major obstacles (ya know, racism) for Asian American filmmakers.

"You know, I'm walking down the street in Park City, and people think, 'Oh, it's just some Asian dude,' and they ignore me," says Lin. "But if someone points me out and says my name, they act differently. It is what it is. I was doing a photo shoot with the cast of the movie, and some idiot was being really obnoxious in the background, making ching-chong noises. I was like, 'Who the f-- is that?' And I looked over and said, 'Damn, that's Tom Arnold. I'm not going to take that. I'm going after him.' So I almost got into this huge fight with Tom f--ing Arnold. At the end of the day, it's still a struggle. It's still the same struggle."

Moral of the story? You can think you've "made it" as an Asian American filmmaker in Hollywood, but there's always going to be some racist ass making "ching chong" noises in the background.