Dear Friends,

It was not that long ago when films and TV shows featuring Asian Americans in leading roles were practically unheard of, and when the few characters written for Asian American actors leaned heavily on stereotypes. While the last decade has seen incredible progress, it’s imperative that we don’t let that momentum stop. Representation is more important than ever, because it affects our sense of belonging in the United States, and also informs how others see us.

According to our 2025 STAATUS Index, Asian Americans see themselves as the most marginalized demographic when it comes to representation in film and TV. We felt it was critical to address the need for more visibility in Hollywood, while providing industry insights on how we get there. That’s why TAAF just released Reframing Representation: The Case for More Asian and Asian American Narratives in Hollywood. 

And it’s also why we support partners like the Hawai’i International Film Festival. I was honored to attend the HIFILM Industry Conference this month, and to see and hear from an incredible group of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander creatives and talent. Let’s continue to elevate our diverse stories and ensure that they have a central place in the American narrative.

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In solidarity,

Norman Chen

CEO, The Asian American Foundation

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RESEARCH

Reframing Asian American Representation in Hollywood

With the release of our new report, Reframing Representation: The Case for More Asian and Asian American Narratives in Hollywood, we aim to empower both up-and-coming creatives and Hollywood veterans. To make the case that our stories are not only good for representation but also the bottom line, we conducted a deep dive into the history of Asian and Asian American representation on screen, interviewed Hollywood industry leaders, analyzed viewership data provided by Nielsen, and examined eleven commercially and creatively successful TV shows and films released between 2014-2024.

Our research shows that having Asians and Asian Americans onscreen and behind the camera can actually expand audiences, open new markets and generate unexpected revenues. This report offers a wealth of data and lessons from case studies to counter the common assertions that Asian American stories are niche and that Asian American stars aren’t bankable. We show that there are enormous opportunities for breakout stars to subvert tropes, that Asian American viewers are a lucrative and hyper-engaged market, and that Asian American stories have universal appeal.

To read about our findings and recommendations, download the report.

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STORYTELLING

Supporting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Creatives

TAAF is committed to elevating Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) creatives and storytelling. From our partnerships with organizations including PEAK Pasifika and HIFF, we have seen what is possible when we come together to support and celebrate the diverse, creative voices of our community who are shaping the narrative. And that’s why we were proud to sponsor and attend the inaugural HIFILM Industry Conference, part of the Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF), in Honolulu this month. The three-day event explored how to create global resonance for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander stories. The conference brought together filmmakers, industry leaders, and emerging creatives for exclusive fireside chats, panels, and networking sessions—offering a space to connect, collaborate, and celebrate authentic AANHPI storytelling in film and media.

Previously, TAAF supported the Makawalu Lab, an NHPI filmmaker development project that includes training, mentorship, networking, workshops, and career development. TAAF was honored to also support the narrative film Makawalu, now in production and created and co-directed by eight Native Hawaiian filmmakers who are alumni of the Makawalu Lab.

We’re working to amplify fantastic, award-winning Pacific Islander films as well. The Pacific Island Film Festival (PIFF) in New York City lifts up indigenous Pacific Island voices and showcases the stories, arts, and traditions of the Pacific Islands. TAAF was excited to once again be a Studio Sponsor of PIFF’s Dinner and a Movie that took place on September 19th. The event included a special pre-fixe menu at the modern Hawaiian restaurant Noreetuh, and a screening of imagineNative‘s 2025 Best Narrative Feature winner, We Were Dangerous, at the Village East by Angelika.

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CONVENINGS

TAAF in Community

• We celebrated New York City’s AAPI communities through our support of Taste of Asia, a one-of-a-kind culinary event featuring 40 of New York’s top restaurants serving Asian-inspired dishes. The event raised a record breaking $1.7M benefiting our friends at Apex for Youth and the Madison Square Park Conservancy.
• We also celebrated the Festival of Lights as one of the presenters of a Diwali gathering on October 21st at Passerine, supporting the Asian American Writers’ Workshop. Hosted by Passerine’s Maneesh K. Goyal and Alvina Patel Buxani, along with author Mira Jacob, the evening featured a star-studded guest list and menu by Michelin-starred chef Chetan Shetty.

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Upcoming Event: TAAF AAPI Youth Mental Health Summit

On November 7, Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California, the nation’s oldest and largest public affairs forum, will host TAAF’s first-ever AAPI Youth Mental Health Summit. Under the theme “Sparking Solutions Together,” we will convene hundreds of experts, advocates, funders, and business executives to address the urgent and often overlooked mental health challenges facing AAPI youth.

Please tune in live at bit.ly/TAAF-YMH.

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ON THE BLOG

Putting an End to Bullying: This Organization is Leading Efforts to Support AAPI Youth

This month on The Takeaway, entrepreneur and inventor Jane Chen talks to us about her new memoir, Like a Wave We Break, discussing Asian American mental health and healing from generational trauma. We’re also spotlighting one of our incredible grantees, Act To Change, an organization working to end bullying of AAPI youth. And in the latest in our series of Asian+American stories, educator and author Liz Kleinrock shares her experiences with identity as a transracial adoptee from Korea.

You can catch up on all our personal stories of navigating and celebrating our identities as part of our Asian+American campaign. Check back often as we’ll be adding more!

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What is your Asian+American story?

This summer, TAAF launched the Asian+American campaign, an initiative to remind our community that we don’t have to choose between being Asian and being American. We are both. And should celebrate being both — fully, proudly, powerfully.

Our community has shared their Asian+American stories — what is yours? Tag us on @TAAForg and use the hashtag #AsianPlusAmerican for a chance to be featured on our socials and in our newsletter!

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