Center for Asian American Media
Festival Staff
Chi-hui Yang, Festival Director
Like warm veggie meals without egg. King of the impromptu dance.
Taro Goto, Festival Assistant Director
I’m a big fan of LA sports teams and love to eat Japanese and Korean food, especially Natto mixed with raw egg over rice or simply some traditional Kalbi. I also enjoy slow walks through Japantown with a baked good from Anderson’s Bakery in one hand and a Sophie’s crepe in the other.
Somebody please help me clean my desk!!!
Theresa Navarro, Corporate Relations Manager
There once was a girl from the Bay
Who didn’t have much else to say
Except that she knew
That her bio was due
To the intern by end of the day.
John Calvin Fong, Marketing Manager
Films aren’t mean to me.
Christine Kwon, Program & Publications Manager
Starring Christine Kwon as Christine Super-Kwon
Likes/Dislikes:
•I like dogs. I’m one of those annoying people who ‘baby talk’ to dogs b/c they’re so cute and furry.
•I dislike active head nodding (but how else are you going to let someone know you’re “listening?”)
•I like the sound of ppl chewing chips quietly.
•I dislike the sound of slamming doors, booming motors or anything that startles (my nerves, my nerves!)
Hobbies:
I like climbing mountains, walking through creeks, angry cows, and playing soccer. I also like hanging out with my sister (shout out!).
Favorite foods:
If I had to choose one food to eat the rest of my life I would choose to be stuck on an island with Gary Oldman and a large bowl of rice, water, kraft’s singles cheese and jang-joo-reem (soy sauce beef, apologies for the spelling).
Kar Yin Tham, Administrative & Operations Manager
Just back from Malaysia. Will write soon…
LeRoid David, Marketing Coordinator
Raised in San Francisco and an SFSU alumni (Go Gators!), I have been a longtime fan and attendee of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. SFIAAFF 2001 has been my most memorable festival featuring Rod Pulido’s “The Flip Side” and Gene Cajayon’s “The Debut.” With over 8 years of music retail, grassroots marketing, and event coordinating experience, I’m truly excited to be a part of the 2008 festival as their Marketing Coordinator. VICTORY!!!
Tanya Hurd, Operations Coordinator
Backstage: I’m the kind of gal who is much happier behind the scenes than in the spotlight. When I found out that tech/crew gets to wear all black & doesn’t have to wear make up…I realized I had found my calling.
Scene 1: I’m the mother of a 12 yr old boy…had him just a few weeks shy of my 22nd birthday. What a gift!! I’m really happy that I had him young because now he’s old enough to come & enjoy the festivals I work on…and he’s cheap labor…he’ll work for brownies and popcorn.
Flashback: I was born in SF, but lived in NYC for 17 years. I recently came back to enjoy the sun and the trees. In NYC there’s a lovely tree museum called Central Park…in Berkeley, I have 3 in my own back yard. I’m loving being back here…though I really missing the stellar subway system and the 24hour food delivery.
Prequel: Never been much for love until a desert pirate came along and swept me off my feet. We met at a festival and now he helps me with a bunch of my festivals…more cheap labor…he works for beer and pizza.
Outtakes: We just moved into our own house and bought the most adorable little puppy. No cheap labor there…tried to bribe him with treats but all I got was a puddle to clean up off the kitchen floor.
Final Cut: My life is a string of marvelous festivals running back to back and over again. I’ll just keep coiling and uncoiling the cables until there’s no more left to wind.
Grace Lee, Publicity Coordinator
addictions: fruit, documentaries, assorted vintage garbage, things that seem super useful and then they sit in my room taking up space, organizing, word combinations.
shortcomings: not writing, half finished paintings, unwatched netflix, agreeing to things when I’m not paying attention.
super strength: understands mumblers and people with thick accents. I’m not sure how this will help fight super villains yet.
I grew up in Hawaii and have lived all over the United Stated studying art and writing. I love film and journalism so pretty much being the Publicity Coordinator for SFIAAFF is as much fun as riding a really great roller coaster (which I also love), only with less screaming.
Amara Dan, Fabulous Intern
It all started out with A.K.A. Don Bonus. Born and raised in San Francisco as a first generation Cambodian, I saw this film with my family could never forget it. Now I’m finishing up my last year studying cinema at SFSU, while finally getting a chance to be a part of CAAM! Yes, I know that I just gave a before and after kind of intro about myself, but I can better explain the years of everything in between over a nice glass of wine, some aimless wandering ’round The City, an awesome doodling session, or a nice bike ride. No, I’m not trying to get a date; I just love making friends! I welcome all
kinds of fellow storytellers!
Right now: I’m so late turning in this bio, and I am obsessed with 30 Rock and Freaks and Geeks.
Also, beware of my snack attacks!
Leanne Koh, Fabulous Intern
Born/Raised: SAN FRANCISCO!
Occupation: Student at SFSU
Family Role: daughter, sister
Favorite Pastime: dancing on street corners with my headphones blasting
Secret Favorite Band: HANSON!
Favorite food: anything quick, filling, cheap (but somewhat healthy)
Favorite color: Orange (the color when the sun sets, like it’s melting into the sea)
Pet peeve: tags sticking out of shirts (i might just walk up to you and help you out if i see them sticking out.)
Favorite song of the moment: True Love’s Kiss (Disney’s Enchanted)
Favorite movie of the moment: JUNO
Something people don’t really know about me: you’ll never know….
Mijoung Chang, Travel Coordinator
Originally from Queens, New York (but originally originally from Korea), my love of film and exposure to powerful media came from Women Make Movies, Third World Newsreel, Asian CineVision, and attending film festivals. Three things that changed my relationship to film are: Korean movies & dramas (with English subtitles), Netflix, and need for good stories about girls & women. The next thing I like to spend my time doing is thinking, planning and doing travel. This is the perfect job!
Shelly Kim, Donations Manager
I HEART:
Will Demps
Bay Area Sports Teams, especially the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors (often times resulting in name calling, eye rolling and pshhhfff, whatever-ing when around Mr. Taro Goto)
FOOD! ALL FOODS! But my favoritest food of all time has to be FRENCH FRIES!
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Rubbing my face in cold pillows, especially after a long day
Baby giraffes with their long eyelashes and wobbly knees
Random Facts:
May be OCD
Walks into walls, tables, doors, etc.
Easily entertained & amused
Cranky if deprived of food and/or caffeine
Really, really, really wants a bulldog one day, who I would name Gus
Cannot sleep when feet are hot
Mariana Lopez, Print Traffic Coordinator
I’m a native of California. I’ve been in the Bay Area all of my life and cannot wait to travel. The quickest way to my heart is through endless amounts of sushi and board games. Such board games include: Scrabble, Catch Phrase, and Yahtzee! Enjoy dry sarcasm and puppy dogs. I hope to finally complete knitting a scarf, perfect the guitar, and become master of karaoke. Love camping, playing soccer, bike riding, snowboarding, and the possibility of one day white water rafting. Am currently hooked on crossword puzzles.
Natalie Mulford, Volunteer Coordinator
Grew up in the valley. Like, a real Valley Girl! Then escaped to the green of the east where I learned to knit and make better soup.
I got stuck in a puddle that was a middle school and escaped back to my birthplace and worked on film festivals.
I miss my cat and my sister-friends but I’ve got folks rooting for me on both coasts.
Some strengths: winning raffles and radio call-in contests, balancing on one leg, knowing the tune to most anything, remembering what we ate and where.
Weaknesses: spatial relationship puzzles, boat words, karaoke song-picking, finishing books.
Frances Pomperada, Development Assistant
Q: How much does a polar bear weigh?
A: Enough to break the ice! (Puahahah!)
Hi! My name is Frances and here are my current loves:
the wire (watch it!)
sushi
hot almond milk tea (Mmmm)
public transportation
documentaries
drawing
roadtrips
(mis)adventures
to boogie down on the dance floor
Oh, and I HATE peanuts!!! Actually, peanuts hate me. I’m allergic. :(
JC Rafferty, Special Events Coordinator
I’m Head Girl at Girl Friday Event Productions, which
manages special events at the Festival and for nonprofit organizations
in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to my work on SFIAAFF 2008,
I…
…made my debut on London’s West End in 2000 as Ophelia
…did security for RuPaul (twice)
…biked solo through Tuscany (but does not speak Italian…except wine)
…had my lunch stolen by former President Bill Clinton
…dressed models in New York City
…shared a smoke with Fred Schneider of the B52s
…was a cop
* Not all of these are true.
Mitch Vaughn, Box Office Manager
I’ve found a list of questions that will assist you in getting to know
me better.
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
A: Anything with finger snapping, upright bass, whistling, yodeling, improvisation or hand percussion.
Q: Are you a vegetarian?
A: Yes, excepting sushi due to a weakness of spirit.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: I’m a big fan of multiple day backpacking trips, bike rides, wine tasting, Ms. Pacman, movie watching, tom foolery and chess.
Q: Can you do a back flip?
A: No.
Q: Do you know any celebrities?
A: Diane Lane and I were once mutually scolded by a security guard at the Guggenheim in New York for standing too close to a table. I’m sure she remembers me as fondly as I do her.
Q: Do you play any instruments?
A: Yes.
Q: Given the option, would you end a sentence with a preposition?
A: Never, unless I had to.
Mimi Wong, Guest Services Coordinator
Hello, my name is Mimi and I am an addict.
I think my parents must take a little credit here because when I was a kid, I always wanted a dog, cat, any furry pet.
But my mother said she was allergic and my father felt animals were dirty. We settled on goldfish, a parakeet and hermit crabs.
There I go again. The solution is not to blame others. Change begins with that whole “man” in the mirror thing. Right.
My name is Mimi and I have an unhealthy attachment to Kuma.
It started just over 2 years ago.
Now romantic weekends are long walks on the beach (with Chuckit in hand), fine dining (green beef tripe) and a good snuggle (followed by a good lint roller).
I’m working my way back…one day at a time.
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