SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — CAAMFest 2026 will open on Thursday, May 7, with an advance screening of The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas, a documentary directed by Eugene Yi that brings together powerful personal stories from across Asian and Pacific diaspora communities. The opening night screening will take place at AMC Kabuki Theater in San Francisco Japantown, followed by an Opening Night Gala at the Asian Art Museum.
Now in its 44th year, CAAMFest returns from May 7–10, 2026, with more than 60 films centered on Asian American voices, independent filmmaking, and stories that reflect the complexity of today’s communities. This year’s festival is fully in person, with screenings, panels, and programs centered around AMC Kabuki in San Francisco Japantown.
The opening night film, The A List, asks a deeply personal question: what does it mean to be AAPI? The documentary features intimate reflections from prominent figures including Sandra Oh, Kumail Nanjiani, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Connie Chung, exploring identity, belonging, resilience, and the pressures of navigating American life through Asian and Pacific diaspora experiences.
Beyond the screening, CAAMFest’s Opening Night Gala will bring the celebration into the heart of San Francisco’s cultural scene. Hosted at the Asian Art Museum, the gala will feature food and beverages from notable Asian American Bay Area vendors, creating a space for filmmakers, artists, community leaders, and audiences to connect beyond the screen.
This year’s programming also reflects CAAMFest’s broader mission: to support bold, independent storytellers and expand the pipeline for Asian American documentary and narrative filmmaking. CAAM leaders have emphasized that the 2026 festival marks a renewed moment for Asian American independent storytelling, especially after recent challenges across the media industry.
Diya TV is a proud media partner of the CAAMFest 2026.
