The 2025 conference theme, “Passage to Seattle: From AYPE 1909 to AANHPI Rising 2025,” honors the legacy of campus activism and calls for empowering future leaders.

Co-hosted with OCA-Greater Seattle, the event will feature workshops, discussions, and activities that reflect on history and inspire action toward a more just, multi-racial democracy.

The 2025 National Convention theme, “Voices in Unity,” draws from New Mexico’s rich history, from Japanese American incarceration and Native Codetalkers to the Manhattan Project, and the diverse stories within the Japanese American and civil rights communities. This year’s convention calls on us to come together, share our voices, and drive collective action for change.

East West Players will stage a July 2025 revival of Yankee Dawg You Die by Philip Kan Gotanda, a landmark play exploring the struggles of Asian American actors in Hollywood. Centered on the unlikely friendship between two performers at different career stages, the story reveals the personal and professional compromises artists make in a challenging industry.

CAAMFest 2025 reflects on the histories shaping the present, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories amid threats to diversity and arts funding. Honoring CAAM's four-decade legacy, the festival unites diverse communities through film, highlighting the impact of place and memory in San Francisco Japantown. The program features American and international films, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, and celebrates the strength and artistry of Asian American women, concluding on Mother's Day with events that honor community and pioneering aesthetics.

On May 2, 2025, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience (APFE) launched AANHPI Heritage Month at the 41st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, drawing over 200 filmmakers, industry leaders, and community members for a night of screenings and celebration in West Hollywood.

APFE continued its celebration on May 10 at CAAMFest in San Francisco with the Tea House Salon, spotlighting AANHPI creatives and partners. Highlights included a panel with the St. Denis Medical team and Office Hours networking sessions, offering filmmakers valuable industry connections and support.

Visual Communications, a nonprofit organization, has announced the lineup for the 2025 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF). The 41st edition of the festival aims to connect filmmakers from different eras to celebrate the power of storytelling in community building. The festival will be held in-person from May 1 to May 7, 2025, at various locations in Los Angeles, CA, with select programs available online starting May 5. Tickets will be available for members on April 3 and for the general public on April 7. For more details, visit festival.vcmedia.org/2025.

East West Players, in collaboration with Outside In Theatre, presents the Los Angeles premiere of Cambodian Rock Band.

A powerful addition to the American theater canon, Cambodian Rock Band follows a Khmer Rouge survivor returning to his homeland after 30 years. As his daughter prepares to prosecute a notorious war criminal, echoes of their shared past resurface. The story moves between timelines as father and daughter confront history, finding solace and healing through music.

Pacific Overtures will run from November 7, 2024, to December 1, 2024, at East West Players. Set in 1853, the story follows Commodore Matthew C. Perry's mission to open Japan's borders, as Samurai Kayama and fisherman Manjiro are sent to meet the American gunboat, unknowingly altering the fate of the "Floating Kingdom."

East West Players previously staged Pacific Overtures in 1979, featuring founding Artistic Director Mako reprising his Tony-nominated role as The Reciter. The musical was also the inaugural performance of the David Henry Hwang Theater in 1998, supported in part by the David Lee Foundation.

The San Diego Asian Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with a fresh, youthful energy, inspired by its Closing Night film. Unfazed by political challenges, the festival channels them into bold cinematic expression. This year’s program offers a unique and dynamic experience, honoring Asian American icons and celebrating diverse themes like activism, sports, and friendship. As they look ahead to the future, the festival invites everyone to join their vibrant and evolving community.

The 2024 Together We Vote: An API Get Out The Vote Fest, organized by CAUSE, is a multi-day celebration coinciding with the 10 days of early voting leading up to Election Day. This event aims to unite communities around the themes of learning, eating, laughing, and voting, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. CAUSE highlights the significance of making voices heard through voting, showcasing how it can positively impact daily life and local communities. Participants are encouraged to join CAUSE in celebrating culture and civic engagement within Los Angeles’ Historic Asian Pacific Islander (API) Neighborhoods during this festive period.

Viet Film Fest takes pride in being a key platform for Vietnamese filmmakers and stories about the Vietnamese people. The festival invites support in its mission to use cinema as a powerful tool to showcase and celebrate the diversity of Vietnamese voices.

The Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience concluded the AANHPI Heritage Month at CAAMFest 2024, bringing together more than 75 filmmakers, industry professionals, community leaders, and arts organizers. This celebration of filmmakers at CAAMFest 2024 was co-hosted by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and featured delightful cuisine from the local caterer EATS BY E. The joyous occasion took place at the Four One Nine Gallery in San Francisco on Mother’s Day Sunday.

CAAMFest 2024 is a celebration of diverse, true stories reflecting our experiences. It provides a platform for individuals to share their truths and perspectives, fostering understanding amid misinformation. The festival honors brave storytellers, acknowledging the range of emotions their stories encapsulate. It stands as a testament to our shared humanity and the power of storytelling.

The Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience was celebrated at the 40th Edition of the VC Film Fest (previously the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival) in Downtown Los Angeles. The event saw a gathering of over 200 filmmakers, industry executives, community advocates, and supporters at the revitalized Peking Tavern. This gathering served as a platform for attendees to forge connections and engage in networking.

The 40th VC Film Fest, also known as the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, is dedicated to its founding Executive Director, Steve Tatsukawa. His impact, humor, and positive influence are remembered through shared stories and memories, ensuring his legacy for future generations. The festival honors elder cultural workers and connects them with current and emerging artists who continue to empower communities and challenge perspectives.