The Critics Choice Association (CCA) has announced a significant slate of honorees for its fourth annual Celebration of AAPI Cinema & Television. The event, scheduled for November 14 in Beverly Hills, is designed to highlight standout work and groundbreaking contributions from the Asian Pacific entertainment community, both on-screen and behind the scenes.
Trailblazers and Vanguards
Lucy Liu, a Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice Award-winning actress, will receive the Trailblazer Award. The honor recognizes her expansive body of work across film and television, most recently highlighted by her starring role in the feature film “Rosemead.”
The Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao will be presented with the Vanguard Award. This recognition follows the success of her latest film, “Hamnet,” which recently won the People’s Choice Award for Best Film at the Toronto International Film Festival. Zhao holds the unique distinction of being the only director to have twice received TIFF’s top audience prize.
Behind the Scenes and Across Platforms
The celebration will honor a diverse group of creators working across various formats.
HIKARI, the writer and director, will receive the Director Award for her work on Searchlight Pictures’ November release, “Rental Family.” Her past credits include the acclaimed series “Beef” and “Tokyo Vice.”
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Maggie Kang, the director and writer, will be recognized with the Animation Award for Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters.” The film, a massive hit, captivated audiences worldwide, accumulating over three hundred million views and dominating streaming charts with its original soundtrack.
The Japanese anime feature film “Demon Slayer:Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” will be honored with the International Animation Award, recognizing its status as the highest-grossing anime film of all time at the global box office.
Leading the Next Generation
The CCA is also acknowledging rising talent shaping the industry’s future.
Shih-Ching Tsou, a producer, co-writer, and debut solo director, will receive the Breakthrough Director Award for her Netflix film, “Left-Handed Girl.” The film was nominated for the Critics’ Week Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and is Taiwan’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.
Acting honors include Ali Ahn, who will receive the Supporting Actress Award for Series for her performance in the Emmy-nominated series “The Diplomat.” Chase Sui Wonders will accept the Breakthrough Actress Award for her role in the Emmy Award-winning Apple TV+ comedy, “The Studio.” Lukita Maxwell will receive the Rising Star Award for her work on the critically acclaimed series “Shrinking.”
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The event will also honor Michelle K. Sugihara with the Industry Leadership Award for her work as Executive Director & CEO of CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment), and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett with the Social Impact Award for his work as a Native Hawaiian writer and producer on the Apple TV+ series “Chief of War.”
Host, writer, and co-programmer for the Celebration, Kylie Mar, summarized the event’s purpose: “This celebration is about honoring the artists who continue to push boundaries, tell authentic stories, and create space for greater visibility of AAPI voices in film and television. Each honoree reminds us how powerful representation can be when it’s rooted in truth and creativity.”
