"Thank you for having me here today, committee members and madam chair. My name is Bee Vang, and I am a Minnesota-based artist, actor, and writer with a background in film and entertainment, dating back to 2008. I made my acting debut in Clint Eastwood’s 'Gran Torino' and later graduated from Brown University, where I trained in theater arts, performance, writing, and research. But Minnesota is where I grew up and call home. And it's why I’ve come back to this special community.

 

My professional journey has taken me across the country, where I’ve built meaningful connections with Asian American film festivals, artists, industry insiders, and journalists. During my time interning at The Rachel Maddow Show at MSNBC and writing for The Economist, I strove to shed light on stories too often overlooked.

 

Throughout time spent on both coasts, I’ve worked with CAAMFest in San Francisco, the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, the Boston Asian American Film Festival, the Long Beach Cambodia Town Film Festival, and the Asian American International Film Festival in NYC. My engagements span both mainstream and independent filmmaking not only in the U.S. but also overseas in Asia, collaborating with visionary documentarians and fiction filmmakers who are pushing creative boundaries in their medium. I consulted with Cambodian American author Luong Ung on the film adaptation of her bestseller memoir, 'First They Killed my Father,' which was acquired by Netflix and later directed by Angelina Jolie. I also had the privilege of apprenticing with Laura Poitras at Field of Vision—whose film, 'Citizenfour,' earned her an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2016. Since Gran Torino, I've worked as an actor with independent filmmakers in LA, Italy, Colombia, South Korea, Laos, and Vietnam, many of whom are building up their country's filmmaking scene. 

 

With my experience and passion, I am eager to activate my networks to help lead the development and launch of this film festival and elevate Minnesota’s place in the filmmaking and entertainment world. Cultural events like this festival are essential for putting our state on the map and on Hollywood’s radar. Minnesota has long nurtured legendary artists—from Bob Dylan to Prince to the Coen Brothers—alongside notable Asian Minnesotan figures such as Sunisa Lee, Yia Vang, James Hong, Ben Wang, and myself. This festival will not only highlight our creative richness but also challenge perceptions of what the Midwest has to offer.

 

Our festival will also serve as a mechanism for retaining talent. Too often, artists have felt compelled to leave Minnesota in search of greener pastures. But LA is no longer the only place where creatives can thrive. The industry is evolving, and the landscape for independent and studio-backed projects is expanding beyond traditional hubs. Minnesota can and should be part of this transformation.

 

Hollywood itself is shifting. There is a growing demand for Asian and Asian American stories, as evidenced by the success of Bong Joon-ho’s 'Parasite,' Lee Isaac Chung’s 'Minari,' Daniel Kwan’s 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' Viet Thanh Nguyen’s 'The Sympathizer' (directed by Park Chan Wook), Jon M. Chu’s 'Wicked,' and the rise of actors like Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Steven Yeun. The appetite for these narratives is greater than ever, and this festival has the potential to contribute to that momentum.

 

Beyond cultural and artistic impact, there are also significant economic growth and incentives for hosting this festival. We estimate a $2 million impact, as my colleague said. A vibrant film festival will generate revenue for hotels, restaurants, and event venues. We have the opportunity to cultivate growth of Minnesota’s small businesses and support our artistic and creative communities who already have their own retail outlets and performance spaces.

 

The Twin Cities are already home to a vibrant and growing Asian American community. The nation is beginning to take notice. Yia Vang’s restaurant, Vinai, was recently recognized in Time Magazine’s list of the world's 100 greatest places. Interest in Minnesota’s cultural richness is increasing, and this festival will further solidify our standing as a unique hub for cultural innovation.

 

Now is the time to take action and seize this opportunity to create something meaningful—to showcase the abundance of talent and energy of Minnesota to the world. Thank you, committee members and madam chair."

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—Bee Vang, MAAFF artistic director