Panel: Has Asian American Media Come of Age?

With the recent explosion of depictions of Asian Americans in the media, there has been an overturning of decades of invisibility and stereotypes within Hollywood and other studio productions. From the recent success of shows such as HBO’s The Sympathizer (2024), Netflix’s The Chair (2021), Always Be My Maybe (2019), and Beef (2023), Max’s Warrior (2019-2023), and the achievements made by films such as Minari (2020), Crazy Rich Asians (2018), and the Marvel Studios blockbuster Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings (2021), it seems like Asian American cinema and television has come of age. Exciting Oscar wins by Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan have further validated the creative work of Asian American and Asian actors, producers, and directors in surprising ways. But have Asian Americans in the media truly made it? What further work is needed? And how can Asian American producers, directors, actors, and distributors respond to an increasingly complex global media environment?

As part of DePaul’s 2024 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, please join a panel discussion featuring three Asian American film professionals who will share their experiences and perceptions about the challenges, progresses, and movements Asian Americans encounter in the film industry. Refreshments and beverages will be provided. Free and open to the public. RSVP is required.

1.) Who are the panelists and moderator?

Tim Hugh

For the past 20+ years Tim Hugh has been the Festival Director for the Asian American Showcase - a festival that only screen films by and or about the Asian American experience. Presented by FAAIM (the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media).and hosted by The Gene Siskel Film Center May 23-27, 2024.

Jason Matsumoto

Jason (he/him) is the co-founder and co-executive director of Full Spectrum Features. He has produced or executive produced over 20 films, including titles that have premiered at Sundance and Tribeca. Jason led the development of award winning digital cinematic history projects that have been awarded or presented at the American Historical Association, the National Council on Public History, and the Association for Asian American Studies.

Brian Tee

Is an actor/producer/director known for his roles across blockbuster action films and groundbreaking television. Tee recently starred alongside Nicole Kidman in Prime Video's "Expats," which received critical acclaim. Previously, Tee starred as Dr. Ethan Choi in NBC's hit drama "Chicago Med” for 8 seasons.

Ryan Masaaki Yokota (moderator)

He is a Teaching Professor in the History Department who also works as an Adjunct Professor in the Honors Program and the Critical Ethnic Studies Program at DePaul University. He regularly teaches on East Asian History and Asian American History subjects, as well as Popular Culture and Media Studies topics. His research focus is on transnational ethnic studies, and he has published a number of works on Okinawan postwar history and Japanese/Okinawan history in the US and in Latin America.

2.) Who is sponsoring the event?

Global Asian Studies Program DePaul

Global Asian Studies at DePaul University is the only one of its kind in the United States. We offer courses and programs that connect the theories and practices in Asian Studies, the diaspora of Asian peoples around the world and the unique experience of Asian Americans. Drawing from our leading expertise in China and Japan, our program also reflects growing expertise in India and Southeast Asia. From ancient cultures to modern technology, DePaul's Global Asian Studies program provides an important foundation for students to prepare to have a leading role in the 21st Pacific Century.

Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity DePaul

Diversity is a core value at DePaul University and has been since our founding. All members of our campus community bring their own cultures, unique talents, skills, and perspectives that, combined together, are DePaul. Collectively, we enrich the work and academic environment to fulfill our Catholic, Vincentian, and urban university mission. This is the strength of our institution and what makes us unique. At DePaul Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity DePaul, we understand that a diverse workforce and educational environment is directly related to our success and is essential in preparing DePaul students to live and work in a global community.

Critical Ethnical Studies Prorgam DePaul

This program uses an interdisciplinary social justice perspective to critique global and local configurations of power. We emphasize social justice and transformation while focusing on U.S.ethno-racial populations through an intersectional, transnational, and urban framework. Students apply critical theories to complex social and cultural issues. The program consists of a combination of core courses and electives from across the university. The Critical Ethnic Studies final project may be comparative or focus on a single ethnic or racialized group through the use of intersectional methodologies.

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