In the San Francisco Bay Area, not only is May a time to celebrate AANHPI Heritage month, it also heralds the return of the annual CAAMFest (formerly the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival). Put on by the nonprofit Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), the festival has been a huge showcase for new Asian American and Asian films since 1982. Taking place May 9-19 in San Francisco and Oakland, this year’s festival includes over 35 programs that spotlight film, food, music, and ideas.
“Our CAAMFest programs this year take a deeper look into our vast and infinite Asian American stories, unearthing truths that are complicated, sometimes strange, and at times revelatory,” shares Festival and Exhibitions Director Thúy Trần in a press release. “As we are entering an election year in a socio-politically shapeshifting world that can feel uncertain, we look to artists and storytellers to ground us and remind us of the responsibility of our shared humanity. With this year’s CAAMFest, we are proud to lift the voices of these brave and tender storytellers.”
The theme for this year’s festival is “Lifting the Truths of Our Stories,” and Mochi had the chance to watch several of the films, shorts, and animated features. Keep reading for more about a few of our favorite entries.
“Dawn of Skates”
Written and directed by Mitch Truong, “Dawn of Skates” is a wholesome, feel-good short where a Vietnamese American teen finds the confidence to perform after visiting a local roller rink and receiving unexpected mentorship from an older skater. Though the story is technically set in the 90s, the 70s fashion and roller rink vibes give the simple and straightforward story the feel of timelessness — as if we’re in a modern sort of fairytale.
The short opens on an old 80s television set playing footage of ice skating legend Michelle Kwan skating at a competition. The scene pans out, showing 16-year-old Dawn, portrayed with sweet…
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