Gillian McKercher’s “Lucky Star” Brings an Authentic Asian-Canadian Story to SBIFF

The 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival has once again proven to be a hub for groundbreaking cinema, and among this year’s standout selections is “Lucky Star”, a gripping drama that offers a fresh perspective on the Asian-Canadian experience. Following their successful premiere screening, Writer and Director Gillian McKercher and actors Olivia Cheng and Conni Miu sat down with Awards Focus for an exclusive interview. McKercher, Cheng, and Miu spoke candidly about the inspirations behind the film, their journeys navigating the industry as Asian artists, and the exciting projects on their horizons. 

Inside the Oscar-Nominated “I Am Ready, Warden” with Smriti Mundhra and Maya Gnyp

The Academy Award-nominated short documentary “I Am Ready, Warden” offers an intimate look at justice, redemption, and forgiveness in the final days of a man on death row. Awards Focus sat down with Smriti Mundhra and Maya Gnyp to discuss the film’s journey, the challenge of exploring such a complex subject, and the artistic choices that shaped its emotional tone.

Soo Hugh Reflects On Apple TV+’s Pachinko Season 2 And The Road Ahead

Soo Hugh has established herself as a skilled storyteller, transitioning from the suspenseful worlds of The Terror and Under the Dome to the deeply personal, multi-generational drama of Pachinko. Soo Hugh recently spoke with Awards Focus about her approach to casting the multi-generational characters, the challenges of adapting Min Jin Lee’s expansive novel, and the significance of particular scenes that deeply resonated with her during production. 

Unforgettable Gala 2024: A Celebration of AAPI Voices in Hollywood

On Saturday night, leaders in the Asian American film and television industry descended on the Beverly Hilton to celebrate the Unforgettable Gala, produced by Character Media. The evening began with a vibrant red carpet event, where actors, content creators, and influential movers and shakers greeted the press, many of whom were Asian American correspondents including Ben Lei from Awards Focus.