CAAM Fest 2023
Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)

ABOUT THIS EVENT
The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) presents CAAMFest, the nation’s largest Asian American festival, celebrating 41 years of Asian American Stories May 11 - 21, 2023. This year CAAMFest is returning fully in-person with a call to gather in the community. This year's festival will have expanded programming that will take you on a journey centered in community and gathering through film, food, and music. 

The Filipino Mental Health Initiative of San Francisco are so excited to be a community partner for the following films:
ABOUT CAAM
The Center for Asian American Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. We do this by funding, producing, distributing and exhibiting works in film, television and digital media. For 42 years, CAAM has exposed audiences to new voices and communities, advancing our collective understanding of the American experience through programs specifically designed to engage the Asian American community and the public at large. For tickets and info, visit caamfest.com. ​#CAAMFest2023 #CAAM

Film Descriptions

NURSE UNSEEN dir. by Michele Josue @ the Great Star theater 5/12 7:15 PM
Nurse Unseen explores the little-known history and humanity of the unsung Filipino nurses risking their lives on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic while facing a resurgence of anti-Asian hate in the streets.  

SHORTS: THE MOURNING AFTER @ the Roxie theater 5/20 9PM
After the last four years, we are here. In a place where we are NOT not grieving. Whether it is the reality of never returning to the before times, the passing of loved ones, or climbing out of burnout, our grief IQ is a real thing.  In their way of saying it’s okay to not be okay, these ardent filmmakers confront how death hits those left behind, gifting these stories to help metabolize our emotions together in a dark theater. Bring your tissues for this one.
Carrion, directed by Yvonne Zhang
Lahi, directed by Reina Bonta
Take Me Home, directed by Liz Sargent
The Van, directed by Bernard Badion
​
SHORTS: REALITY BITES @the Roxie Theater 5/18 8:30
These filmmakers not only contort scenes and manipulate the characters on the screen but the concept of reality in each of us - reminding us of the power film has on us in real life. Whether we are seeing things, feeling the things, or questioning the very things that we thought were true, reality sometimes isn’t so real after all.
Autopilot, directed by Jennifer Zhang
Morgue, directed by Sepideh Sharivar
Open And Shut, directed by Kulap Vilaysack
Reality Dad, directed by Charlene DeGuzman
Tequila Sunset, directed by Jinsui Song

COMMUNITY CARE @ the SFPL 5/13 11AM
House Party, sourdough starters, mutual aid networks, tips on trying to hunt down covid tests or vaccination appointments, our heroic essential workers, the great resignation, and a lot of grief (too much of it). We believe more and more we are in a “Post” Covid moment (cuz #science), but we are barely auditing that experience emotionally, and how we are altered by it.  It will take time to process it all and center our honest stories of that time. These two filmmakers document the ramifications of COVID on two communities in Philadelphia and Texas.

ANGEL DOSE, directed by Sami Khan
Chronicles Muslim-American nurse Tarik Khan’s earnest attempts to vaccinate his city during the COVID-19 Pandemic and lead a positive change across Philadelphia.
​
KAPWA TEXAS, directed by PJ Raval
Three young Filipino women wrestle with the ramifications of the COVID-19 Pandemic and racial tensions. They find themselves on a journey of self-discovery and self-reflection within their families and communities, finding new meanings of Kapwa.

FILIPINO MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE-SAN FRANCISCO
"Together, we can end the stigma of mental health."
Bayanihan Community Center
1010 Mission Street, Suite B; San Francisco, CA 94103
fmhisf@bayanihancc.org