CAAMFest (presented by the Center for Asian American Media) is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian and Asian American films, presenting approximately 130 works in San Francisco and Oakland. Since 1982, the annual festival has been an important launching point for Asian American independent filmmakers as well as a vital source for new Asian cinema.

CAAMFest aspires to incite dialogue and community engagement, motivated by “the innovative ways Asian Americans are contributing to and shaping American identity and culture,” says Stephen Gong, Executive Director of CAAM. In doing so, CAAMFest also showcases music, food, and interactive workshops.

Although 2020 has been an unprecedented year due to the global pandemic (COVID-19), CAAMFest has continues to present vibrant public programs throughout the year. CAAM hosted 2 mostly virtual festivals: CAAMFest: Heritage at Home (May 2020) and CAAMFest FORWARD (Oct 2020), which includes over 100 unique virtual screenings/presentations, in-person Drive-In screenings, over 10K attendees and 200 filmmakers participate.

CAAMFest 2021 is currently expected to be a robust array of in-person and virtual screenings and events. To stay up to date on CAAMFest 2021 plans, keep an eye on CAAM's social media and website: caamedia.org.

About CAAM:
The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a non profit 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.

Awards & Prizes

2020 Juried Awards:
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Loni Ding Award for Social Issue Documentary

Audience Awards:
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature

2019 Juried Awards:
Comcast Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
SF Film Critics Award (for International Features)
Loni Ding Award for Social Issue Documentary
INSPIRASIAN Student Film Awards

Audience Awards:
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature

Rules & Terms

By submitting your film for consideration, you grant CAAM permission to screen the above-mentioned work at the 2021 CAAMFest (formerly San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival) if accepted and warrants that all necessary steps have been taken to obtain the rights to use and display the work. Signatory also gives CAAM permission to use stills and excerpts from accepted works for promotional purposes.
6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Sujata Day

    So great to return here with my directorial debut feature, after premiering my short film here in 2017. Masashi and the CAAMFest team made the most of a virtual experience, despite the unusual circumstances. We had fun on the panel and our Best Narrative win made it extra special!

    November 2020
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  • Baldwin Chiu

    It's hard to give this festival less than a 5 because 2020 will probably be the worse year to ever release movies. CAAMFest did so much to keep things going in the virtual world even more so than the larger mainstream festivals. They worked tirelessly and the only thing I regret is not being there live. It's so hard to network and make new friends virtually. The live experience is what we had our hopes on but... well...2020. We hope we can come back in person when the world reopens.

    October 2020
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  • Eugene Kim

    Great time at CaamFest! Solid selection and the venues were great, too.

    June 2019
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  • Jeffrey Wu

    In almost every category, CAAMFest shines above all other festivals I've attended as a filmmaker. Above all other amenities, service, and communication, what stuck with me most is the community that CAAMFest has fostered due to it's long history in the Bay Area.

    San Francisco is a historic site for Asian-American identity and to have the largest Asian-American film festival take place in the same area is monumental. Either as a filmmaker or as an attendee, I definitely want to come again.

    May 2019
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  • Louisa Wei

    My first time to CAAMFest was a good experience and that's why I came back for a second time. The staff members are friendly and helpful. My screening is well received. The audience was great, as they laughed, cried and sang along.

    May 2018
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