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The Golden 50: A Mak Fai Anniversary

50 years in the making.

August 24, 2024, Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon & Lion Dance Association celebrates it's Golden Anniversary. Established by Grandmaster Mak Hin Fai in 1974, we learn about the origins of our Association; how Mak Hin Fai became an instructor, a talented lion dancer, and the significant events and people that brought Mak Fai to Seattle. For this Semicentennial, we give thanks to our neighborhood, the Seattle Chinatown-International District, to our friends around the globe, and dedicate the next 50 years towards serving the community even more!

  • Han Edward So Eckelberg
    Director
  • Han Edward So Eckelberg
    Producer
  • Hin Fai Mak
    Key Cast
    "麥顯輝"
  • Royal Tan
    Key Cast
    "譚宇星"
  • Han Edward So Eckelberg
    Key Cast
    "蘇漢生"
  • Han Edward So Eckelberg
    Director of Photography
  • Mette Knutzen
    1st Assistant Camera Operators
  • Kenneth Thai
    1st Assistant Camera Operators
  • Zoe Conant
    2nd Assistant Camera Operators
  • Tasia Tran
    2nd Assistant Camera Operators
  • Miguel Laureano
    Colorist
  • Royal Tan
    Closed Captions and Translations
  • Royal Tan
    Associate Editor, Lead
  • Jacob Christensen
    Associate Editors
  • Ellison Shieh
    Associate Editors
  • Ricky Chen
    Set Designers
  • Martin Lau
    Set Designers
  • Johnny Nguyen
    Set Designers
  • Royal Tan
    Set Designers
  • Rosamond Au
    Additional Grips
  • Lilian Brownlee
    Additional Grips
  • Kevin Bui
    Additional Grips
  • Kathy Dao
    Additional Grips
  • Chris Gia Hoang
    Additional Grips
  • Peter Hoang
    Additional Grips
  • Jack Jackson
    Additional Grips
  • Mette Knutzen
    Additional Grips
  • Martin Lau
    Additional Grips
  • Sam Mah
    Additional Grips
  • Johnny Nguyen
    Additional Grips
  • Andre Tu
    Additional Grips
  • Kevin Bui
    Additional Media and Equipment
  • Sam Mah
    Additional Media and Equipment
  • Hin Fai Mak
    Additional Media and Equipment
  • Lynn Phan
    Additional Media and Equipment
  • MXT Visuals
    Additional Media and Equipment
  • Armand Hammer of Toby Lerone Records (Creative Commons Attribution license)
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 24, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Yue Chinese (Cantonese)
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Mak Fai Golden 50th Anniversary
    Seattle
    United States
    August 24, 2024
    World Premiere
  • HAAPIFEST 2025
    Houston, Texas
    United States
    May 30, 2025
    Texas Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Han Edward So Eckelberg

I am Han Edward So Eckelberg, born in Seattle of Chinese (Cantonese) and German descent, living in South Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. In the Asian enclave of Beacon Hill, I grew up surrounded by many people I called “aunts,” “uncles,” and “cousins.” For three decades, my zip code was among the most diverse in the United States. My neighborhood’s cultural diversity fostered my passion for the arts, advocacy for the community, and pride in my heritage.

I graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in Art (Photo/Media), American Ethnic Studies, and minors in Oceania and Pacific Islander Studies and Diversity. In 2023, I completed my Master of Communication in Communities & Networks with Communication Leadership at the University of Washington.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am greatly inspired by local artists, including MXT Visuals, Kcoyi, EddieJJen with Xuanda, and Blue Scholars. I focus on visually exploring issues and topics relevant to the Asian American and Pacific Islander American experience, as well as issues of mobility and gentrification around South Seattle. I often incorporate my background in martial arts, music, and American Ethnic Studies to produce video-narratives, social commentary, critiques, and unity. I represent my community, my heritage, my Ancestors; my home.

The City of Seattle’s Mayor, Bruce Harrell, proclaimed August 24, 2024 as "Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon & Lion Dance Association 50th Anniversary," honoring our ongoing advancement of the One Seattle Vision, the continued instruction and preservation of Chinese arts, the inauguration of the non-profit “Mak Fai Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Foundation,” along with proudly demonstrating the sport of lion dancing. Mak Fai is Seattle's premier lion dance troupe, performing hundreds of shows year-round, and competing in national and international lion dance competitions as Washington State's elite lion dance representatives. Mak Fai and our members continuously promote the importance of martial arts and lion dancing, providing education around our local culture, history, and community. Our Association adds to the living breath and heartbeat of the Seattle Chinatown-International District; from 1974 to 2024, from sport stadiums to baby showers, the Mak Fai troupe provides an invaluable service to the city and the Greater-Seattle region. A legacy, 50 years in the making.