SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — CAAMFest, one of the nation’s leading showcases of Asian American storytelling, returns to the Bay Area this May with a multi-day lineup of films, culinary events, and live conversations highlighting voices often underrepresented in mainstream media.
Presented by the Center for Asian American Media, the festival began in 1982 as the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and now includes film screenings, food events, and panel discussions across multiple venues, including the Castro Theatre and Japantown.
This year’s lineup includes “The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas,” directed by Eugene Yi, featuring Sandra Oh, Kumail Nanjiani, Tammy Duckworth, and Connie Chung. Other selections include “The Dao of Thao,” following musician Thao P. Nguyen, and “Diamond Diplomacy,” which examines U.S.-Japan ties through baseball. “Meals That Made Us” focuses on food and identity in Bay Area Asian American communities.
The festival typically presents more than 100 films and media projects across documentary, narrative, and short formats. Past selections include “New Wave,” about Vietnamese American youth culture, and “Your Touch Makes Others Invisible,” a Tamil-language feature.
Festival organizers emphasized the importance of storytelling in shaping public understanding. In opening remarks, CAAM leaders noted that AAPI stories are still often overlooked in Hollywood, and platforms like CAAMFest play a critical role in elevating independent voices and emerging filmmakers.
Beyond film screenings, CAAMFest is known for its signature food events, including large-scale night markets that highlight Asian cuisine and local chefs. These events aim to connect cultural storytelling with culinary traditions, creating a more immersive experience for attendees.
Panels and discussions throughout the festival addressed industry challenges, including representation in media, funding barriers for independent filmmakers, and the evolving role of streaming platforms. Filmmakers spoke about the need for authentic storytelling and greater creative control in portraying their communities.
“Festivals like this are about more than just film,” one panelist noted during a discussion on representation. “They create space for stories that reflect the complexity of our communities and allow audiences to see themselves on screen in meaningful ways.”
CAAMFest has grown significantly since its early years, organizers say that expansion reflects the interconnected nature of storytelling across different art forms.
Diya TV is a proud media partner for the festivities.
