CAAM kicks off film festival by naming new executive director

By Randall Yip, Executive Editor

The Center for Asian American Media launched a new era by announcing Donald Young as its new executive director Thursday.

A familiar name to those who follow the San Francisco-based media organization, Young replaces Stephen Gong, who’s retiring after 18 years.

His appointment comes after a nine-month national search and announced Thursday night before the opening film at CAAM’s 43rd annual festival, CAAMFest.

Young moves up from his position as director of programs and has been with the organization for 30 years.

“I’m just pretty excited about the potential,” said Young in an interview with AsAmNews.  “It’s what is exciting- the filmmakers, the storytelling, the sensitivity to new kind of stories.”

It didn’t take long for Young to face his first crisis. Last Friday, the National Endowment for the Arts withdrew a $30,000 grant from CAAMFest.

Three days later, he started in his new position.

“So, we’ve been preparing for some time. We don’t know exactly how this is going to land, but clearly this is one of the major challenges for me and for the organization.”

The challenge he faces is not unique as the administration has its bullseye on anything it perceives as liberal, and DEI is clearly in its crosshairs.

On top of that, CAAMFest has seen a decline in ticket sales. He describes sales this year as “OK,” but ahead of last year. He anticipates half of the 40 showings to be near capacity and an additional 25% as “quite full.”

“Audiences, particularly younger audiences, don’t necessarily want to experience media in person,” said Young. The advent of streaming has definitely changed the game since CAAMFest first festival 43 years ago.

“What part of CAAMFest has to start to become virtual, how can we bring in the commercial outlets to create more opportunities, more pipeline opportunities for the creatives to reach audiences, you know, these challenges aren’t specific to CAAM,” said Young.

In addition, he says the appetite for independent films has declined among the distributers. Yet he says the talent pool remains strong. This year 120 filmmakers will be coming to the Filmmakers Summit being held as part of the festival.

Young comes with the knowledge that comes working with a mentor and the man he’s replacing, Gong. Young says the two have worked together for two-thirds of his 30-year career at CAAM

“I am thrilled that Don has been chosen by the Board to lead CAAM,” Gong said in an email to AsAmNews. “He is a recognized national leader in the Asian American community, in the independent media arts field, and in public media.  And perhaps most important of all, Don understands the importance and power of a story well-told.”

Young will be forever grateful for his relationship with Gong which will no doubt continue.

 “He’s just done so much for me, really believed in me, challenged me, pushed me to do more. Just on a personal level, he’s just one of the few handful of mentors that I’ve had.”

Looking ahead, Young says there’s a need and desire for filmmakers to come together to brainstorm, exchange ideas and support each other to become better storytellers.

“We certainly know that our stories and what our storytellers stand for is under attack. So CAAM being an older organization is really trying to deeply think through how we can be a stronger leadership organization, and that includes protecting our makers when their funding is loss or under legal threat.

“That’s weighing on us very deeply right now. What do we need to do as an organization to ensure that our community, our creative community, but also the Asian American community feels protected.”