Character Media reports that PBS is releasing a five-part documentary series titled Asian Americans next year.
In time for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May 2020, the series is produced by Renee Tajima-Peñ (Who Killed Vincent Chin?) with a team of Asian American filmmakers.
The series will feature how Asian American culture has formed from Chinese immigration dating back to the 1850s.
WETA and the Center for Asian American Media will also produce the series.
“As America’s home for documentaries, PBS is committed to telling stories that illuminate and celebrate the rich diversity of our country,” Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO, said. “We are proud to share this important series with our audiences, and to deepen understanding about the extraordinary impact of Asian Americans on our national identity.”
“‘Asian Americans’ is a comprehensive multiplatform initiative that will embrace the question of what it means to be an American,” Sharon Percy Rockefeller, president and CEO of WETA, said. “Following our previous series, ‘The Jewish Americans,’ ‘The Italian Americans’ and ‘Latino Americans’, WETA remains committed to revealing the significant stories of the entire American people.”
“We are proud to support the Center for Asian American Media for the important work they do bringing programs about the Asian American experience to public media and audiences across the country,” Pat Harrison, CPB president and CEO, said. “CPB is committed to supporting diverse content for and about people of all backgrounds, and ‘Asian Americans’ is a powerful example of our mission.”
