SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — CAAMFest 2026 concluded its four-day celebration of Asian American storytelling with sold-out screenings, filmmaker discussions, and awards honoring rising talent in film and media.
The annual festival, presented by the Center for Asian American Media, drew thousands of attendees to nearly 40 screenings and events across San Francisco’s Japantown from May 7-10. The event marked the festival’s 44th year and highlighted the growing influence of Asian American filmmakers in the entertainment industry.
Festival organizers said this year’s theme, “Bad Asians Causing Good Trouble,” shaped both the programming and industry discussions throughout the event. Opening night featured HBO’s “The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas.” The screening attracted several high-profile guests, including DJ Rekha, transgender activist Schuyler Bailar, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Manny Crisostomo, and director Eugene Yi.
The opening gala filled the Asian Art Museum with filmmakers, artists, and media executives celebrating Asian American representation in film and television. Closing night showcased “Traces of Home,” directed by Berkeley filmmaker Colette Ghunim. The documentary also received an honorable mention in the festival’s documentary competition.
A major highlight of CAAMFest 2026 was the Filmmaker Summit and Industry Hub held at KOHO Creative Hub in San Francisco. Hundreds of creatives, producers, and industry leaders attended discussions about the future of public media, Asian American representation, and artificial intelligence in filmmaking. CAAM Executive Director Donald Young said the festival now serves as both a showcase for films and a gathering space for creators.
“The future of storytelling is as much about drawing audiences to theaters as it is about being a convening space for audiences and the creative community,” Young said.
The summit also strengthened ties between festival programming and CAAM’s mission to support Asian American filmmakers through mentorship and career development.
One of the festival’s top honors went to “Forge,” directed by Jing Ai Ng, which won the Narrative Feature Award.
The film follows siblings running an art forgery operation in Miami who become trapped in a larger web of deception involving a wealthy family’s art collection. Festival jurors praised the movie’s storytelling, performances, and fresh perspective on identity, perfectionism, and authenticity in the art world.
“Honeyjoon,” directed by Lilian T. Mehrel, earned an honorable mention for its emotional exploration of grief, healing, and mother-daughter relationships.
The Documentary Feature Award went to “Before the Moon Falls,” directed by Kimberlee Bassford. The film follows acclaimed Samoan writer Sia Figiel and examines the effects of mental illness on individuals, families, and communities. Jurors described the project as an example of documentary filmmaking at its highest level because of its long-term storytelling and emotional depth.
“Uncommitted,” directed by Razi Jafri, and “Traces of Home” received honorable mentions for their portrayals of Palestinian and Palestinian American experiences.
The Audience Award went to “Seat at the Table,” directed by Sarita Khurana and Yoav Attias. The documentary examines the rise of South Asian Americans in U.S. politics during the 2024 election cycle. The film explores how the community has moved from the political margins to positions of growing influence and leadership and Diya TV’s deep political coverage of Democrats and Republicans was featured throughout the film.
“Bridging Our Stories,” directed by Rafael Bitanga, earned both the InspirASIAN Graduate Student Award and the Loni Ding Award.
The documentary tells the story of a Filipina community leader in Ketchikan, Alaska, working to preserve Filipino culture and traditions for younger generations. Festival organizers praised the film’s focus on immigrant identity, cultural survival, and intergenerational connection.
The InspirASIAN Undergraduate Student Award went to “Sweet Farewell,” directed by Cynthia Nguyen. The film centers on a Vietnamese dessert shop owner and a teenage waitress fighting to save their struggling business. CAAMFest remains one of the nation’s leading showcases for Asian American cinema and storytelling. Organizers said the festival continues to expand its role as a platform for diverse voices, emerging filmmakers, and conversations shaping the future of media.
Diya TV is a proud media partner of the festival.
