Ronny Sianturi
The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) has announced an expansive roster of honorees, presenters, and performers for its upcoming milestone 35th-anniversary gala, solidifying the event as a premier celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) representation in Hollywood. Presented by Lexus and slated for this Saturday night in Downtown Los Angeles, the landmark gathering marks a significant return for the organization, serving as its first major anniversary celebration in a decade due to pandemic-related disruptions.
As the entertainment industry navigates a period marked by corporate contraction, tightened budgets, and shifting streaming strategies, the 35th-anniversary gala offers a vital platform to recognize sustained creative excellence. The evening will spotlight trailblazing creators, executives, and performers who have broken barriers both on-screen and behind the scenes.
Expanded Honors and Major Honoree Additions
Among the newly announced honorees are some of the most dynamic creative forces working in film, television, and digital media. Writer-director Kitao Sakurai is set to receive the Visionary Award. Sakurai’s recognition arrives just ahead of the October 16 Paramount release of his highly anticipated video game adaptation Street Fighter, which stars an ensemble cast including Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Callina Liang, Jason Momoa, and David Dastmalchian. Widely recognized for his long-standing creative collaboration with comedian Eric André on The Eric André Show, Sakurai has cultivated an impressive resume directing and executive producing acclaimed projects such as Beef, Dave, Twisted Metal, Bad Trip, and Butterfly.
In the acting category, Ben Wang will be feted with the Rising Star Award. Wang’s honor comes in advance of Lionsgate’s November 20 release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, directed by Francis Lawrence. Wang’s burgeoning career also features prominent roles in Disney+’s American Born Chinese, Karate Kid: Legends, and the dystopian thriller The Long Walk, also helmed by Lawrence.
Television representation will also take center stage, with the women of the HBO Max hit series The Pitt receiving the Radiance Award. Executive producer and writer Simran Baidwan will accept the honor alongside multiple cast members. The Radiance Award is presented by CAPE to recognize achievements in the nuanced and diverse representation of Asian, Pacific Islander, and non-binary talent across all facets of production.
Executive leadership and behind-the-scenes cultural stewardship will also be heavily celebrated. Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada, will receive the Decision Maker Award. Howe is being honored for her profound impact on shaping the contemporary television landscape, having championed ambitious and culturally resonant programming for global audiences, including hits like Beef, Bridgerton, Maid, The Night Agent, The Diplomat, and XO, Kitty.
Additionally, Kalikolehua Hurley, head of cultural trust at Walt Disney Animation Studios, will receive the Changemaker Award. Hurley has been instrumental in embedding cultural authenticity and deep historical knowledge into major studio projects, including Moana, Moana 2, Raya and the Last Dragon, Encanto, Wish, and the live-action adaptations of Moana and Lilo & Stitch.
These new recipients join a previously announced slate of luminaries that includes honorees Randall Park and Manny Jacinto. Comedian and actor Asif Ali, breakout star of Deli Boys, is scheduled to host the evening, while indie band Chanpan will deliver a live musical performance.
Presentation Lineup and Star-Studded Collaborations
The evening’s formal program will feature an array of high-profile presenters who share professional or creative ties with the honorees. Auliʻi Cravalho will present the Changemaker Award to Kalikolehua Hurley, while filmmaker Nisha Ganatra will present to Manny Jacinto. Actor Sherry Cola is slated to present to Randall Park, and Ali Ahn will present the Decision Maker Award to Jinny Howe. Lilly Singh will present to Simran Baidwan and the women of The Pitt, and actor Callina Liang will honor her Street Fighter director, Kitao Sakurai.
The gala’s afterparty will feature a performance by DJ Demonslayer. Furthermore, the event’s prestigious gala host committee boasts prominent industry figures, including Abhijay Prakash, Auliʻi Cravalho, Harry Shum Jr., Hasan Minhaj, Janet Yang, Jenny Yang, Ji-young Yoo, Kelly Hu, and Merle Dandridge.
Historical Context and the Evolution of CAPE
Founded three and a half decades ago, CAPE has evolved into one of the most influential advocacy and professional development organizations for Asian and Pacific Islanders in the entertainment industry. The organization’s programs have historically focused on nurturing writers, executives, and emerging talent, creating a sustainable pipeline for API representation in Hollywood’s writers’ rooms and executive suites.
However, the organization’s milestone celebration has faced unprecedented scheduling hurdles. While CAPE traditionally hosts its anniversary galas on a strict five-year cycle, public health mandates and industry shutdowns necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic upended this schedule, delaying the milestone 35th-anniversary celebration by several years and making this Saturday’s event the organization’s first decadal-mark gala in ten years.
Reflecting on the significance of the timing, CAPE Executive Director and CEO Michelle K. Sugihara emphasized the resilience of the community during a period of macroeconomic industry shifts.
"In this time of industry contraction and budgetary cuts, we are excited to have a moment to celebrate the achievements of our community both behind and in front of the camera," Sugihara said. "For our 35th anniversary, we are focused on telling CAPE’s story: the history of the organization, the growth of our industry-leading programs, and the support we’ve received from our community. CAPE has 35 years of achievements to celebrate, and many of the evening’s honorees and featured participants have their own place in CAPE’s history."
Broader Implications for Hollywood Diversity Initiatives
The timing of the CAPE gala coincides with a delicate phase for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the entertainment sector. Following a post-2020 surge in targeted representation commitments, major studios and streamers have recently scaled back corporate diversity departments and specialized pipeline programs amidst broader cost-cutting measures and Wall Street pressures prioritizing profitability over cultural expansion.
Events like the CAPE gala serve as critical barometers for the health and visibility of diverse creative communities. By honoring senior decision-makers like Netflix’s Jinny Howe alongside breakout talent and foundational studio cultural advisors like Kalikolehua Hurley, the organization highlights that authentic representation is not merely an ideological preference, but a proven commercial driver for global streaming and theatrical success. The presence of powerful institutional backers underscores the industry’s ongoing, if recalibrated, commitment to nurturing diverse talent pools despite economic headwinds.
Corporate Sponsors, Brand Activations, and Community Support
The 35th-anniversary gala is made possible through robust corporate backing, led by presenting sponsor Lexus and supported by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Additional financial and institutional support is provided by Suntory Global Spirits, STARZ #TakeTheLead, Amazon MGM Studios, The Walt Disney Company, Netflix, Martell Cognac, East West Bank, and Sechel PR.
Beyond the formal awards ceremony and dinner, the event will feature extensive experiential brand activations and installations curated by Suntory Global Spirits, Martell Cognac, Yama Sushi Marketplace, Panda Express, SEAshucked, JOYN, Kola Goodies, and the Lounge Booth. In-kind donations and gift bag contributions have also been supplied by the Asian American Girl Club, Passion Planner, Chemist Confessions, Good Molecules, JINS Eyewear, KACE Tea, Mixik Skin, Mizu Labs, Moonbow Skin, Ravanat, Remedy Skin, ROSTR, and Rumiville.
With a packed room of industry executives, creators, and artists gathering in Downtown Los Angeles, the 35th-anniversary gala stands as a testament to the endurance, growth, and expanding cultural footprint of Asian and Pacific Islanders in global entertainment.
