PROJECT
OVERVIEW
HBO MAX - APAV
Asian Pacific & American Visionaries Film Festival
HBO APA Visionaries (APAV) is a six-year-long competition for filmmakers of AAPI descent, that aims to move the needle in APA representation in both the industry and the mainstream.
With each year yielding hundreds of submissions, three winning films are selected to premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and then shown on HBO platforms, giving emerging APA filmmakers a global audience and the support of a marketing team backed by the prestige of the HBO brand. Since its inception in 2016 (running a mid-year to mid-year cycle), the program has resulted in 12 winning films, 14 APA directors, and several program ambassadors (comprising WarnerMedia APA talent such as Jimmy O. Yang (2017), Leonardo Nam (2018), and Jamie Chung (2021)).
SAMPLE EXECUTION
In 2021, the program launched a new look with events in Los Angeles and New York City.
Los Angeles Event:
Film premiere followed by a rooftop reception at NeueHouse Hollywood.
Asian night market-themed setup with food, drinks, and games with prizes from AAPI-owned brands.
Food by Electric Karma, The Park's Finest, The Riviera Seafood Club, and Shiku.
DJ Amrit played music, and Audrey Mika performed.
New York City Event:
Screening and reception at Chelsea Factory.
Reception with night market theme, games, drinks, and food by Bessou, Desi Galli, Eat Gai, and Saigon Social.
DJ Kazi provided music.
Partnership with Heart of Dinner for guests to write notes to AAPI elders.
Performances by Bohan Phoenix and Joyce Wrice.
2022 Winning Filmmakers:
Lloyd Lee Choi (“Same Old”)
Gauri Adelkar (“The Gift”)
Chheangkea Ieng (“Skin Can Breathe”)
