Asian American animation talents come together for #StopAsianHate PSA
Oscar®-nominated producer Peilin Chou (Over the Moon) has directed and released Awakening, a #StopAsianHate PSA. Originally conceived as a reaction to the violent attacks that occurred in Atlanta earlier in the year, the video was created “with the goal of inspiring and uplifting the community and beyond”.
As well as Chou herself the video includes contributions from esteemed Asian American animation talents Jennifer Yuh Nelson (director, Kung Fu Panda 2 & 3), Sanjay Patel (director, Sanjay’s Super Team), Gennie Rim (producer, Over The Moon/Dear Basketball/Duet), Jinko Gotoh (producer, Klaus), Henry Yu (story artist, Hotel Transylvania franchise), Helen Park (composer, Over The Moon), John Aoshima (head of story, Kubo and the Two Strings; director, Gravity Falls/DuckTales), Megan Dong (story artist, How to Train Your Dragon 2), Ronnie del Carmen (co-director/writer, Inside Out; story supervisor, Up), Janet Wu (director, Netflix Original Animated Film and Family Features) well as writer David Henry Hwang and performers BG Wong, Daniel Dae Kim, Bowen Yang, Ken Jeong, Phillipa Soo, Cathy Ang and Margaret Cho.
This past March, the morning after the incidents in Atlanta, like many I felt horrified, angry and completely helpless. I wanted so badly to take action, and figure out a way to contribute something positive, but I felt overwhelmed and paralyzed about what any one person could do in the face of such senseless acts and so much hate. After a day of reflection, as a filmmaker and producer, I decided to approach this the only way I knew how — by telling stories. So I reached out and rallied some friends and colleagues in the animation industry (and beyond!) to create Awakening – a piece that I knew in my heart was long overdue. Awakening is an anthemic celebration of Asian America. It acknowledges the ongoing frustrations the Asian American community has faced, particularly over this past year, but at its heart, it is an uplifting and empowering piece celebrating Asian Americans, with a spotlight on artists whose work has changed the world.
-Peilin Chou