Film Forum

For over 30 years, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop has been dedicated to publishing and amplifying Asian American literary culture. Operating from a radically inclusive ethos, AAWW expands the definition not only of who is a writer, but also of who is Asian American. Through a robust and diverse lineup of programming, AAWW serves as a vital sanctuary space for writers and readers alike. In cultivating and curating the next generation of Asian American storytellers, AAWW works to mobilize the literary community toward a more just future.

Ray Yeung is a Columbia University MFA graduate. He has written and directed four features and eight short films. Ray’s third feature SUK SUK (TWILIGHT’S KISS) — which will receive a special screening at Film Forum on September 21 — World Premiered at the Busan International Film Festival 2019 and had its European Premiere in Panorama at the Berlin International Film Festival 2020. The film subsequently screened in over 50 film festivals worldwide (and had its US theatrical premiere in Film Forum’s virtual cinema). SUK SUK earned 5 Golden Horse Award nominations. It was also nominated for 9 Hong Kong Film Awards including Best Film. The film collected 2 Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. SUK SUK picked up 8 additional Awards and nominations from prestigious organizations including Hong Kong Film Critics Society, Hong Kong Directors Guild, Hong Kong Screenwriters Guild, and the Asian Film Awards. Ray’s second feature, the award-winning FRONT COVER was distributed internationally by Fortissimo Films. It World Premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival (2015) and was the Closing Film for the Asian American International Film Festival in New York in 2016. FRONT COVER won Best Screenplay at the FilmOut San Diego LGBT Film Festival, Jury Award for Best Domestic Feature at the Outflix Film Festival in Memphis, and Audience Award at the Boston Asian American Film Festival. Strand Releasing is the distributor for FRONT COVER in North America. Ray’s first feature film, CUT SLEEVE BOYS, premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival in 2005. The film won Best Feature at the Outfest Fusion Festival in Los Angeles and Best Actor at the Madrid Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Regent Releasing distributed CUT SLEEVE BOYS in the U.S. The movie was released in the US, UK, France, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Ray is also the Chairman of the Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival since 2000, currently the longest running lesbian and gay film festival in Asia. Photo by Viola Gaskell.

Karen Mok is a fiction writer and mental health advocate. She is a 2024 Asian American Writers' Workshop Margins Fellow and serves on the Consumer Advisory Board for The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Supported by a Humanities New York Action Grant

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