CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) has officially announced its 35th Anniversary Gala, celebrating three and a half decades of championing, cultivating, and spotlighting Asian and Pacific Islander talent in Hollywood.
The highly anticipated event will honor industry heavyweights Randall Park and Manny Jacinto—both of whom share deeply rooted connections with CAPE’s historic trajectory.
Multihyphenate comedian and actor Asif Ali (Deli Boys, Shrinking) is set to host the evening’s festivities. Attendees will also treated to a live performance by Chanpan, a rising indie alternative rock band out of New York City. Organizers note that additional honorees and host committee members will be revealed in the coming weeks.
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For CAPE, this anniversary isn’t just about looking forward; it’s about recognizing the community that built the foundation.
“In our professional fellowship and accelerator programs, we ask our cohort: how can you expect others to hire you as a storyteller if you cannot tell your own personal story to them?” Said Michelle K. Sugihara, Executive Director and CEO of CAPE.
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“For this 35th Anniversary, it’s our time to share our CAPE history, and many of those we are featuring and honoring–Randall Park, Manny Jacinto, Asif Ali and Grace Dumdaw, the lead singer of Chanpan–all have their part in our history outside their own incredible feats in their careers.”
CAPE’s roots trace back to 1991, when visionary Asian American executives Wenda Fong, Fritz Friedman, and Chris Lee united to forge a dedicated space for Asians and Pacific Islanders within the entertainment ecosystem.
The flagship CAPE New Writers Fellowship—which will hit its own 15-year milestone in 2027—boasts an enviable roster of alumni. Among them is gala honoree Randall Park, who took home the CAPE New Writers Award back in 2011 before breaking out as a household name.
Other prominent alums include celebrated filmmakers Alice Wu (The Half of It), Beth de Araújo (Josephine), and Liz Sargent (Take Me Home).
While CAPE traditionally hosts its anniversary gala every five years, the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of their 30th-anniversary milestone.
Because of the prolonged hiatus, this October’s gathering will mark CAPE’s first gala in a decade, with the last iteration taking place in October 2016.
The 35th Anniversary Gala is presented by Lexus, with additional key support from Sony Pictures Entertainment and Suntory Global Spirits. For leadership, the upcoming evening represents both institutional resilience and personal dedication.
“I started my journey as CAPE’s Executive Director when we last celebrated a milestone – our 25th anniversary,” added Sugihara. “I’m excited to celebrate both CAPE’s 35 years and over a decade of uplifting our community.”
