2022

Since 2020 pandemic the AAFFN has been in rest, re-charge, and reflection mode. Same time, our passion for elevating and sharing news about Asian Australian creatives, activists, researchers and other change-makers is a flame that has never stopped burning brightly. We have been regularly sharing news about Asian Australian, Indigenous and PoC change-makers over on our Twitter at @aaffn so check it out. So much to celebrate in the Asian diaspora as well!

Here’s some highlights about a few happenings in the Asian diaspora:

OK so she’s more Asian American, but Malaysian born actor Michell Yeoh rightly got all the recognition she has long deserved including TIME Icon of the year. 2022 was her year! Everything, Everywhere, All at Once also swept up five awards at the Golden Globes! The acceptance speeches by Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan were also show stoppers (literally).

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The OzAsia festival had its own celebrations including our own national treasure and queen of the screen and arts, Annette Shun Wah. The festival announced “AA22 Champions and AA122 Honourees, some of whom were a part of last year’s OzAsia Festival and In Other Words program.

OzAsia Festival Artistic Director Annette Shun Wah was listed as an A22 Champion, alongside In Other Words speakers Jason Om, Maria Tran, and Senator Fatima Payman.

In Other Words Program Curator Jennifer Wong was listed as an AA122 Honouree for her work in the media (arts and entertainment) industry.

The AA122 List honours the 122 Asian Australians who have had the most impact on Australian culture, society, and institutions over the past year.”

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The ever-informative source of Asian Australian happenings Being Asian Australian also announced their 122 Asian Australians Honouree List and A22 Champions. Individuals from a broad range of professions and backgrounds are showcased.

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We were delighted to see AAFFN’s Dr Indigo Willing included in the list for sport and academia (work includes equity, diversity, and inclusion team research for Skate Australia, plus the Pushing Against Racism 2022 team project We All Skate QLD and the Adoptees Rolling Program in 2022).

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Rachael Jacobs lauched the Deep Harmony anti-racism program in NSW schools taught through drama and dance.

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Maria Tran is a powerhouse and whirlwind of activity and 2022 was no exception. Along with empowering the Vietnamee and Asian Australian community with workshops, film festivals and more, she also went into production for Echo 8 which debutes in 2023. Read more about what she’s been up to here

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Corrie Chen’s Gold Mountain (launched 2021) received numerous accolades in 2022 including the Asian Academy Create Award, an Australian Directors Guild Award and many others.

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A post shared by Corrie Chen 🌈 (@corriechen)

Joy Hopwood’s film Get a Life screened nationally and was picked up by major broadcasters in Australia and overseas including Channel 9 and Amazon Prime.

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