HBO Max celebrates AAPI Heritage Month with curated films

HBO Max will promote its Asian American and Pacific Islander Voices collection to celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month starting May 1. The collection will amplify the streamer’s wide breadth of Asian American & Pacific Islander stories and talent by featuring curated content available on the platform, in addition to the three winning films from the HBO Max Asian Pacific American Visionaries Short Film Competition directed by up-and-coming AAPI directors.

The hours of curated programming include our impressive slate of Max Originals such as “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” “Tokyo Vice,” “Take Out with Lisa Ling” and “House of Ho;” well known and iconic hits such as “In the Mood for Love,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Aquaman,” and “Bend It Like Beckham,” as well as Warner Brothers streaming exclusive “Moonshot.”

The Philippines is represented by at least two films: “One Night in Bangkok” with Mark Dacascos playing a hitman on a mission; and “On the Job” with Joel Torre, John Arcilla, and Piolo Pascual sharing lead roles, about a crime syndicate operating within the prison system.

During this year’s AAPI Heritage Month, HBO Max will launch the Ani-May initiative, which includes a celebration of iconic anime moments old and new, fashion from Asian animation, Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time” and other episodes influenced by anime. In addition, an original meditative rainfall video from Makoto Shinkai’s “Weathering With You,” and a new Adult Swim episode of “Ambient Swim” inspired by ’90s anime will be featured.

Now in its sixth year and with Poppy Liu from the Max Original Series “Hacks” serving as the 2022 ambassador, HBO Max’s Asian Pacific American Visionaries Short Film Competition showcases the work of emerging filmmakers of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. The top three winning films will premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival on May 6th. In addition, HBO Max will host special screenings in both Los Angeles and New York City of the 2022 APA Visionaries Short Film Competition winners with receptions to follow.

This year’s theme is titled “Power of Love,” with submissions centering around Asian Pacific American perceptions of love in their relationships, friendships, or families. The top three winning films will be available to stream as part of the collection after the premiere in addition to previous year’s winners “Neh,” “Lonely Blue Night,” “Fine China,” “Si” and “Unmothered.” 

Click the link to see the list of curations that will be included in the collection.