Center for Asian American Media
Leading the Way for a Diverse and Thriving Society
Dear Friend,
Greetings! It has been an eventful year here at CAAM — one wrought with exciting achievements and new challenges.
I’d like to first and foremost thank you for your support. In tough economic times, it is the support of individuals like you that allows us to continue to serve our mission — to fund, produce, exhibit and distribute rich, authentic and diverse stories of Asians in America, ensuring our histories are recorded, our stories told, our voices heard. I’d also like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the highlights of this past year.
For the first time ever, CAAM presented over ten hours of Asian American programming exclusively through Comcast On Demand in May 2009 in recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. From the story of the enduring icon of the family-run Chinese restaurant worldwide to the history of the Sumida Watercress Farm — a multigenerational organic farm in Hawaii, CAAM’s programming on Comcast On Demand provides a new look into Asian America. Visit the CAAM Channel for a look at some of these new, original videos.
We also hosted the 27th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, a feast of film, music and media over 11 days in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose attended by over 25,000. Memorable moments included a spotlight retrospective on acclaimed director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who was on hand to present many of his films, and special on-stage conversations with Ang Lee and WATCHMEN screenwriter Alex Tse.
Also featured at the Festival was the most recent of CAAM’s narrative feature productions — FRUIT FLY, a moving comedic musical by writer/composer/actor, H.P. Mendoza (COLMA: THE MUSICAL); FRUIT FLY screened to a packed house at the historic 1,400-seat Castro Theater.
In 2008, CAAM received the prestigious Wallace Excellence Award for innovation and leadership in engaging new audiences in the arts through digital media. This past year, CAAM launched the latest of its digital media initiatives — HAPAS.US, a new media sharing website that brings together the multi-racial Asian American community online. Be sure to visit HAPAS.US and share your stories with us.
Looking ahead, there is still much to do. It is crucial — now more than ever, in these tough times — that we come together and ensure that our stories and our histories are told on the big screen, in schools, on public television and online. Your support has always been a key part of our success. I ask you to step forward once again and join CAAM as we stake our claim in this new world that is upon us and lead the way for a diverse, thriving society for all.
Warmest regards,
Stephen Gong
Executive Director
