Maturation and Expansion (1995 Current)
The Festival achieved international recognition as well-traveled Co-directors Corey Tong and Paul Yi brought their global perspectives in expanding the program to include more films from the wide spectrum of the diaspora. More countries were represented than ever before, revealing an array of stories that parallel, mirror, and resonate with the Asian American experience, placing Asian American identity in a global context. Yet as the Asian cinema fever gained momentum in the U.S. and in the film festival circuit, Asian American film remained virtually invisible. Subsequent Directors Kayo Hatta and Linda Blackaby, Brian Lau, and Chi-hui Yang worked to balance the Asian diasporic portrait by continuing to highlight domestic Asian American films, reminding the audience that a thriving scene of filmmakers here at home are making some exciting, innovative works. In 2000, the Festival expanded its horizons by beginning a showcase of Asian American music videos and musicians in the popular Directions in Sound event, while 2001 saw the Festival geographically extend to San Jose for a weekend of screenings following the San Francisco run.
