My Shortlist on MediaRights.org

My friend Theresa Navarro at Arts Engine asked me to participate in their Filmmaker's Shortlist project. It was a lot of fun to take the time to write about some of my favorite documentaries. Check out my top 7 films that have influenced me the most. "Style Wars" and "American Movie" would have made the list but other filmmakers had already written about them. Read article HERE

Victor Shibata Rest in Power

Last week we said goodbye to a true friend, teacher and healer, Victor Shibata. As a founding member of the Yellow Brotherhood and one of the original organizers of the Manzanar pilgrimage, Victor helped build the strong Japanese American community that raised me. When I was in high school he would tell me stories of what the Crenshaw community was like back in the day, these conversations lead to my first two films, Yellow Brotherhood and Pilgrimage, he is featured in both. I owe so much to Victor and still can't believe he's gone.

Here's the tribute reel I cut for my dad's (Robert Nakamura) retirement reception. Besides founding three major institutions (Visual Communications / JANM's Media Arts Center / UCLA's Center for EthnoCommunications) and training an army of filmmakers, he also made a lot of good films.

SFIAAFF Screening at The Castro - 03/14/12

The screening of the Jake Shimabukuro film at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival was a huge success. 1,300 people packed the Castro Theater on a rainy night. The film played well but the highlight of the night was when Jake was joined on stage with his mother Carol and his brother Bruce. Below are some of the highlights of the night (including me lookin hella uncomfortable in front of the camera) shot and edited by Alex Ferrari:






My Dad enjoyed the red carpet treatment.


The Boss Don Young, producer of the film.


My mom, Jake's brother Bruce and Jake's mom Carol


Had a great time all week causing trouble with my 808 folks. Lehu from Paliku/Oiwi TV with Amber, Leanne and Micky from Pacific Islanders in Communications who all helped make the film happen.




Auntie Carol AKA The Karaoke Queen doing her thing backed up by he sons. Best moment of the night!

Photos from CAAM's Facebook

$1 billion in Cali cuts

I've spent just as much time as you have reading and debating the numbers and future of CP3. Let's just make the same effort to be informed about the numbers and future of our own families.

$330 million will be cut from schools, $100 million from workers who care for the elderly and $100 mil from UC/Cal States, on top of the $650 million already cut this year!

Read the LA Times article here: $1 billion in California budget cuts to kick in soon

Pilgrimage screening at RightsFest on 10/27

Pilgrimage will be playing with the feature doc Freedom Riders at the RightsFest Film Festival taking place in San Francisco. The film festival is being sponsored by the Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education and will be part of the Advancing Justice conference taking place at the same time. I'll be there to talk about the film and maybe even jump in on a conference panel.

Save Sessions LA!

It's as simple as this. We all know how important youth programs are, especially in underfunded communities of color. We all know how important the arts can be in shaping the lives of young people, especially when nurtured in safe, positive spaces. So please pay back the people who are doing the work we all want to do but can't make the time for. Save Sessions LA!

Please watch the video and donate:

Moke Action by `Aina Paikai

While shooting in Hawai`i I've been able to work with a group of talented and visionary local filmmakers from `Oiwi TV and Paliku Documentary Films. One of the youngsters on the team is `Aina Paikai. Here is his hilarious short Moke Action: