6 Ways to Discover AAPI Creatives

Growing up as an Asian American or Pacific Islander in the U.S. comes with numerous challenges, with young AAPI people often citing a sense of “cultural limbo.” For AAPI people with immigrant parents, there can be a strong sense of wanting to assimilate, tinged with a longing and parental pressure to embrace their rich and complex heritage.

One way that AAPI people have found to celebrate their roots is through art. Whether through song, dance, painting or theater, this powerful medium gives AAPI people a unique opportunity to express themselves, while also highlighting the monumental contributions Asian Americans have made to the country across the decades.

In 2023, AAPI art is still just on the fringe of popular culture. If you’re interested in learning more about AAPI creatives, their contributions and the labels that support them, more and more resources are becoming available.

Here are a few places you can start.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

The Asian Pacific American Heritage Month initiative was born in 1977, when Frank Horton and Norman Y. Mineta campaigned for the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize the first ten days of May as Asian Pacific Heritage Week. Over the years, the weeklong event (which was originally timed to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad) has evolved into a month-long celebration of AAPI culture.

This momentous event is observed throughout the US, with celebrations including festivals, concerts, educational initiatives, lectures, film screenings and workshops. These activities, often run through schools, libraries, and museums, aim to provide a safe and fun environment for AAPI people to champion their heritage and others to learn more about the community. Through Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, you’ll have lots of opportunities to partake in the festivities and discover new AAPI creatives in your city.

Asian Media Awards

If your goal is to learn about AAPI creatives, you can find the best and brightest at the Asian Media Awards. Based in Britain, this annual award ceremony aims to showcase AAPI individuals who are excelling in their work within both British Asian and mainstream media in the UK. Nominees range from journalists and internet personalities to TV presenters and PR experts. 

This initiative prides itself on acting as a networking platform for underrepresented AAPI talents and will help you discover creatives outside of the more popular music and acting fields.

Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF)

Established in 1978 by non-profit Asian studio CineVision, this New York based film festival is the first and longest-running event of its kind in the United States. Now in its 46th year, the Asian American International Film Festival’s goal is to counteract the lack of AAPI representation in the media and highlight the significant contributions of Asian American filmmakers in the field. 

The festival is centered around curated showings of recent AAPI films which explore relevant themes, such as immigration, identity, and cultural heritage. These screenings are held at venues across New York City, including theaters, schools, and cultural centers. In addition to these screenings, AAIFF also organizes panels, workshops, and other networking opportunities. Through these events, attendees are encouraged to challenge stereotypes, promote diversity, and develop their cross-cultural understanding. Although the event was originally aimed at highlighting filmmaker contributions, AAIFF now also proudly showcases AAPI actors and musicians. Their achievements are recognized in a number of award categories, including Best Narrative Feature and Best Short Film. 

Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC)

The Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, or APAMC, is an initiative that was founded in 1999 in response to an alarming lack of AAPI representation on mainstream American television. The APAMC plays a huge role in keeping major TV networks accountable by issuing yearly report cards. These report cards rate networks like CBS, NBC, and Fox for not only the prevalence of AAPIs on air but also the quality of their representation. Additionally, the APAMC works closely with networks to prevent whitewashing of roles by helping studios locate more suitable local talent (most recently Hawaii 5-0). 

By reviewing APAMC’s latest network report cards, you can easily identify which major networks elevate AAPI creatives and tune in to discover talent.

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards

The SAG Awards, debuting in 1995, are an annual event that recognizes outstanding performances in film and television. While not strictly for Asian American creatives, the awards typically feature nominations for AAPI actors and casts. 

In early 2023, the hit film Everything Everywhere All at Once made SAG history, taking out four awards, including Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, won by Michelle Yeoh. Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role was also taken by Ke Huy Quan. This historic event has helped to catapult AAPI creatives into the public consciousness and generated increased interest in Asian American directors and filmmakers. 

R/AsianAmerican

While award shows and mainstream media routinely promote popular AAPI artists, one of the best ways to identify new and emerging AAPI creatives is to ask members of the Asian American community. Reddit forums such as r/asianamerican often contain in-depth discussions about current AAPI creatives, including lists of recommended artists, songs, and other media. These posts, written by everyday people outside of the entertainment industry, can help you discover hidden gems that haven’t yet made it into the mainstream media. 

Other platforms where you can engage with AAPI communities or AAPI fans include YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. Simply use the search function to identify groups and fan pages. These community-driven pages are typically warm and welcoming to anyone wanting to learn more and educate themselves about the genre and its rich history.

Finding Asian American or Pacific Islander creatives used to be an extremely challenging task for the uninitiated. However, in 2023, more and more mainstream award shows are taking time to highlight the contribution of AAPI individuals. As the landscape of the entertainment industry continues to evolve, we hope to see even more AAPI creatives propelled into the limelight in 2023.