We were young, emerging, and hungry for change. CAAM's 40 year legacy is built on fearless storytelling, compassionate community, and a mission to promote authentic representation of Asian Americans in the public media. This is how our journey moves forward into the future.
1980
National Conference of Asian Pacific Producers in Public Broadcasting at UC Berkeley inspires the future of film.
1982
An Asian American
Film Festival is born.
1987
“It is almost inconceivable that our leaders would destroy a national resource of culture, education and enlightenment. At a cost of $1 per capita, we enjoy the riches of non-commercial, quality programming.”
1990
A Media Fund for film makers launches with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
1994
A True (Love) Story.
Festival director Paul Mayeda Berges meets Opening film director, Gurinder Chadha – they fall in love, marry, and make films together.
1996
NAATA-produced a.k.a. Don Bonus airs on P.O.V. and wins an Emmy for Best Cultural Documentary.
2004
Home at Last: Ninth Street Independent Film Centers opens
Home at Last: Ninth Street Independent Film Centers opens
2005
NAATA evolves into The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)
2010
Remembering a Pioneer: Loni Ding’s legacy of excellence to continue
Loni Ding, key to CAAM’s founding, passes away. CAAM establishes the Loni Ding Award for Social Issue Documentary, recognizing emerging filmmakers with a passion and talent for bringing stories to light.
2013
SFIAAFF evolves into CAAMFest: Film, Music, Food
2020
“Asian Americans”, a milestone five-part program, co-produced by CAAM and WETA, broadcasts on PBS
