San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place: San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

Address: 145 Ninth St. Suite 350, San Francisco

Description:
Currently, there are more than 121 films and videos supporting the 22^nd San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF). Its venues include the AMC Kabuki 8, Castro Theatre and and the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley. The vast majority of the works during the ‘80’s were by and/or about Chinese and Japanese Americans, while today the focus is on programs that explore the changing face of contemporary Asian/Pacific Islander American experiences, reflecting the diversity of the community, more recently focusing on work that speaks to the South Asian, Pacific Islander, gay and hapa communities, as well as featuring the work of trans-national Asian artists.

History:

The 1970’s was the beginning of the emerging voice of Asian American filmmakers who were inspired by the social activism of the 60’s. Collectively, they sought to fulfill the need to see stories of themselves on the big screen accurately told. A lack of response from mainstream media prevented them from reaching the widest possible audience. In 1980, local independent filmmaker Loni Ding, along with other local artists and activists, organized a national conference of Asian American producers and media activists in Berkeley that would lead to the formation of the National Asian American Telecommunications Association (NAATA). Its mission was to counteract negative images and stereotypes of Asian Americans in mainstream media by providing Asian American programming for broadcast on public television

Significance:

Cultural, Educational, Social

Recognition of Significance:

Sources:

Tara Goto, Exhibition & Festival Assistant Director, San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

Other Comments:

Prepared By: Darryl Abantao Date Prepared: 8/09/04