Alright y’all. The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival is upon us, and it’s turning the big 30. Yes, you read that right. 30 amazing years of serving the Asian American community and beyond, showing all of us that there can be many diverse, complex, beautiful representations of people who look like US.

One thing that we talk a lot about on this blog is the representation of Asian Americans in mass media and how they affect the way we see ourselves. This is precisely why organizations like the Center for Asian American Media and the film festival are so important. TDS salutes you guys. 

Oh and did we mention that Lynn has managed to turn the festival into LynnSanity?! Lynn has FOUR FILMS showing at SFIAAFF. So make sure to catch her films if you can.

To get ready for the film fest, I was asked to represent Thick Dumpling Skin in a photo/video shoot at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum that showcases different gala styles. I was honored to have been asked and I was in such good company. Modeling with me were San Francisco supervisor Jane Kim, SFIAAFF’s festival director Masashi Niwano, and Angry Asian Man Phil Yu. Talk about looking good AND doing good! 

Jenny & Julia from Retrofit Republic took really good care of us, and the amazing Step Heavvy team made all of us feel like VIPs.

Here are some behind the scene pictures, courtesy of Andy Kuo Photography:

The Step Heavvy team of awesomeness + Julia from Retrofit Republic (second from the left).

A Vogue moment.

The photographer utilizing his creative license.

Check out the rest of the photos here and tell us what films you’ll be seeing or want to see!

- Lisa