Celebrating Asian American Stories: A Night of Recognition and Unity
A Record-Breaking Ceremony Marks the Success of the Asian American Stories Video Contest
On May 2nd, 2024, over 450 people gathered at the HL Peninsula Banquet Facility in Milpitas, California, for a momentous occasion: the 1st Asian American Stories Awards Ceremony. This well-attended event celebrated the power of storytelling and the vibrant tapestry of the Asian American experience.
A Theme of Belonging in a Time of Challenge
The 2023-2024 contest theme, “All of Us Belong Here,” resonated deeply. Inspired by the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the theme highlighted the strength and diversity that define America. The theme song (words and music by Joel Wong) and produced by Diana Ding of the Silicon Valley Community Media (SVCM) and supported by other organizations, has won first place at the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade and the Santa Clara Parade of Champions.
More Than Just a Competition
The Asian American Stories Video Contest aimed to achieve more than just awarding winning videos. Its goals were to:
● Showcase the contributions of Asian Americans to both their own communities and the mainstream.
● Foster unity and understanding among diverse Asian ethnicities.
● Promote racial justice and equity while combating hate.
● Encourage collaboration on pan-Asian projects and expand the influence of the AAPI community.
● Unite influential figures to amplify Asian American voices.
A Night to Remember
Spearheaded by SVCM with the support of numerous community partners, the ceremony brought together a diverse group. Attendees included:
● 450 Guests
● 72 Contestants representing a range of ages and backgrounds
● 20 Winners
● 22 Community Partners
● 15 Judges
● 20 Committee Members
● Over 30 Elected Officials
● Over 30 Volunteers
From budding young filmmakers (aged 10 and up) to seasoned storytellers, and from Nobel Peace Prize nominees and participants in President Obama’s Challenge Program, the entries showcased the remarkable diversity of the Asian American community.
Announcing the Winners!
After careful deliberation, the judges selected deserving winners in each category, including the Adult and Youth Divisions. The ceremony also presented special awards like the Legendary Storyteller Award and the Viewers’ Choice Award. The Winners are:
1ST PLACE:Tim (Jian) Zheng, Vietnamese Culture Club
2ND PLACE: Min Zhou, Samantha Quỳnh Hương Tran
3RD PLACE: Jiayi Li, Abby Wu
JUDGES’ SPECIAL MERITS: Avalyn Wu, Chuyun Cathy Chang
VIEWERS’ CHOICE: WeDance, Samantha Quỳnh Hương Tran
FIRST SUBMISSION: Romeo Morales
EXCELLENCE AWARDS
ADULT: Victor William Chen, Long Jin, Min Zhou, Ann Chang & Yue Chang, Dr. Author L. Jue
YOUTH: Ethan Guan, Kaihua Skyler Chong, William Chui, Lauryn Chew, Sophia Cheng
A Celebration of Stories and Community
The evening was filled with more than just awards. Guests enjoyed performances by the APAM Youth Choir and Sunny’s Drama Space, further enriching the experience with Asian American cultural expression. The presence of celebrities like Martin Yen, Robert Handa, and emcees Patrick Ahrens, Minh Thanh Tran, and Ms. Yin Chang added to the festive atmosphere.
A Victory for Unity
The Asian American Stories Video Contest Awards Ceremony was a resounding success. It brought together diverse ethnicities and the mainstream community in celebration of Asian American stories. With powerful messages of belonging and a commitment to combating invisibility, the event was a victory for the entire Asian American community. As the press release concludes, “We’re all winners in this celebration of diversity!”
Please visit www.aastories.org for complete information of the event!