Official Celebration
This is the official celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month for the City and County of San Francisco.
© Copyright · APA Heritage Foundation
Designed by Thomas Li, Made in San Francisco, CA
WELCOME TO CAAMFEST 2021
The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) presents CAAMFest, celebrating 39 years of Asian American film, music, and food, May 13th through the 23rd, 2021. CAAMFest offers a diverse showcase of live streaming, on-demand, and drive-in programs featuring emerging and veteran filmmakers from around the world. For showtimes and tickets, go to caamedia.org
Be Inspired by Films Food Cultures Music & Performances
CAAM Fest 2021
From May 13-23, 2021, CAAMFest will bring you the best in Asian and Asian American stories through live virtual film screenings, on-demand screenings, and at San Francisco’s only drive-in theater at Fort Mason FLIX.
Opening Night Film: TRY HARDER!
Thursday, May 13, 2021
6:30pm & 9:15pm
Category: Films
As they prepare for the emotionally draining college application process, students are keenly aware of the intense competition for the few open spots in their dream colleges. At Lowell—where cool kids are nerds, nearly everyone has an amazing talent, and the majority of the student body is Asian American—the things that usually make a person stand out can feel not good enough, even commonplace.
CAAMFEST Filipino Drive-In: The Fabulous Filipino Brothers
Friday, May 14, 2021
6:30pm
Category: Films
A Culturally Specific Comedy With Universal Appeal. Director-star Dante Basco’s family affair is an engagingly freeform portmanteau that runs the gamut from joltingly dark to sweetly romantic.
CAAMFEST Filipino Drive-In: Lumpia with A Vengeance
Friday, May 14, 2021
9:15pm
Category: Films
The LUMPIA-armed avenger reappears in Fogtown and teams up with high school student Rachel to prevent a crime syndicate from selling drugs masked as food in this crowdfunded action comedy.
CAAMFEST HKETO: HAPPY TOGETHER (Wong Kar-Wai)
Saturday, May 15, 2021
6:30 PM
Category: Films
Lai (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and his boyfriend, Ho (Leslie Cheung), arrive in Argentina from Hong Kong, seeking a better life. Their highly contentious relationship turns abusive and results in numerous break-ups and reconciliations. When Lai befriends another man, Chang (Chen Chang), he sees the futility of continuing with the promiscuous Ho. Chang, however, is on his own personal journey and, ultimately, both Lai and Ho find themselves far from home and desperately lonely.
CAAMFest Online: FIRST LOOK! YOU ARE HERE
Saturday, May 15, 2021
9:15 PM
Category: Films
The Kowloon Industrial District is home to many of Hong Kong artists, including rapper Heyo, YouTuber Ah Leung, rising star Hana and Dave the dancer. However, the government is preparing the area for gentrification. The group from The Way We Dance are invited to participate in a publicity stunt to transform the district into a “Dance Street”. Meanwhile, Heyo’s master Afuc is planning a revolution.
CAAMFEST CENTERPIECE: Manazar, Diverted
Sunday, May 16, 2021
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Category: Films
Manzanar, Diverted provides a fresh interpretation of the Japanese American confinement site by examining the environmental and political history behind the World War II camp. Prior to the war, Manzanar was where Native Americans were driven out and farmers and ranchers were bought out by the LA Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
CAAMFEST CENTERPIECE: SNAKEHEAD
Saturday, May 22, 2021
7:00 PM
Category: Films
A smuggled Chinese female becomes a human smuggler known as a Snakehead in the ruthless
underworld of New York City’s Chinatown, only to become the target of the FBI and her
competition.
CAAMFest Online: AMERICANISH
Sunday, May 23, 2021
5:00 pm
Category: Films
In Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, two career-driven sisters (Maryam and Sam) and their newly-immigrated cousin (Ameera) must navigate the consistent — and sometimes conflicting — demands of romance, culture, work, and family. Serving both as a lighthearted reimagination of and critical divergence from the classic romantic comedy, Americanish tackles and celebrates the complex intersectionalities of womanhood by welcoming us into the world — with all its joys and tribulations — of these three marriage-aged women. Americanish meditates on the sometimes-inevitable tension that arises between competing societal and cultural norms, or between personal obligations and ambitions, with a fresh perspective, weaving from it a story that is unconventional, funny, and heartwarming.
Brought to you by
The Center for Asian American Media presents innovative, engaging Asian American works on public television through their dynamic documentary programs. CAAM is dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. We are excited to share programs from CAAMFest for your enjoyment wherever you may be.
Online Guide