About Us
The Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM) is an organization that celebrates emerging Asian American creative talent. We accomplish this by hosting various events including the annual Asian American Showcase in Chicago, and supporting artists in building a grassroots audience for their work.
Why we’re here
Even today there is a lack of Asian American visibility in media and the arts. What we see all too often in mainstream media are superficial depictions and outdated stereotypes of Asian Americans. At the same time, Asian American artists often struggle to access the necessary resources to produce their work and share it with a broad audience. This uneven playing field isn’t just a disservice to a culture – it prevents a fuller expression of the American story .
FAAIM's Mission:
Educate communities. Asian American and mainstream, local and national about Asian American history and issues.
Introduce Asian American perspectives into the ongoing self-definition of our multicultural society in the United States.
Foster understanding across lines of race, ethnicity, religion, age, and region.
Sustain growth and encourage excellence in Asian American culture.
FAAIM was born in 1995 to bring the rich, diverse voices of Asian American independent filmmakers and visual artists to the public. Building on strong relationships with the arts community and leading Chicago cultural institutions, we’ve educated, shared and entertained for over 25 years. And, we invite you to be a part of it.
The Jonathan Laxamana Emerging Filmmaker Award for AAPI Emerging Filmmakers, administered by the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM), will award two short film submissions to The Asian American Showcase in Chicago with a $500 award each. One award will be granted each to a submission in the Documentary Short Film and Narrative Short Film categories. Award winners will be determined by a panel of jurors, and awards will be publicly presented at The Asian American Showcase.
Award winners must meet the following criteria:
The filmmaker(s) must identify as Asian American, Asian Canadian, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific Islander (AANHPI).
The film must be set in North America (the United States, Canada, or Mexico).
The film must be selected and screened at The Asian American Showcase.
The filmmaker(s) must identify as emerging or early-career. (Please note: FAAIM understands these career stage categories are always in flux, and therefore does not impart a strict definition for them. We generally understand an emerging or early-career filmmaker to be someone who has completed, or is in the process of completing, two or fewer feature films. However, we invite filmmakers to self-identify using their best judgment. Final determination is made by FAAIM staff and jurors.)
The film must focus on an Asian American, Asian Canadian, Native Hawaiian or a Pacific Islander American central character, community, or experience.
The total runtime of the film must not exceed 45 minutes.
The film cannot be an episode or a segment of a series.
The first theatrical screening date of the film must be on or after January 1 from the previous year. (Not including screenings for academic instituions or setting)
We are excited and proud to now partner with The Asian American Showcase to launch the Jonathan Laxamana Emerging Filmmaker Award to memorialize Jonathan’s work within the Chicago film festival arena with focus on AAPI cinema. In 2006, Jonathan created the Chicago Filipino Film Festival and led all activities of producing, promoting, and putting on the festival for over ten years. Jonathan then went on to contribute significantly to the Asian American Showcase for several years. As with the endowment at the University of Illinois, the Jonathan Laxamana Emerging Filmmaker Award is something that Jonathan would be proud to sponsor, representing his love for film and vision to help emerging film creators in the AAPI communities.
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May 2026
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Shane Chung
May 2025 -
April 2019
