LOS ANGELES — More than 260 AANHPI leaders, creatives, executives, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and community builders gathered at Rideback Ranch in Historic Filipinotown on May 31 for the inaugural "Across the Industry" event. Hosted by Augie Max Vargas and Narumi Inatsugu and presented by The Vargas Company and Rumiville Inc., the gathering was designed to strengthen connections across the AANHPI entertainment community and the broader creative industries during AANHPI Heritage Month.
Unlike traditional industry events, Across the Industry was intentionally structured without panels, awards, fundraising, red carpets, or extensive programming. Instead, the focus was on creating space for authentic connection among professionals whose paths do not often intersect despite working throughout the same entertainment ecosystem. Attendees represented a broad cross-section of the industry, including members and leadership from major entertainment guilds, academies, unions, production companies, studios, networks, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and public service organizations.
"The idea was to bring together the absolute best Above-The-Line and Below-The-Line AANHPI entertainment professionals working across television and film," said Augie Max Vargas, founder of The Vargas Company and co-host of the event. "A common thread I heard all night was a feeling of joyful emotion where attendees felt inspired and, more importantly, part of a community that is larger and stronger than many people realize."
Narumi Inatsugu, CEO of Rumiville Inc. and co-host, added: "What happened in that room was bigger than networking. It was a reminder that community is one of the most powerful forces in our industry. When people from different generations, disciplines, and backgrounds come together with a shared sense of purpose, new ideas emerge, new relationships are formed, and the future becomes a little more connected. That's what we hope this gathering continues to foster."
The event also featured professional headshot activations, curated brand participation, community experiences, and opportunities for attendees to build new relationships across sectors that do not often gather together in the same room. The success of the inaugural gathering has already sparked conversations about future editions of Across the Industry and the continued development of the platform as an annual opportunity to strengthen community, collaboration, and connection across the AANHPI entertainment community and beyond.
This gathering is significant because it addresses a longstanding gap in the industry: while AANHPI professionals are increasingly visible in Hollywood, they often work in silos. By bringing together above-the-line and below-the-line talent, executives, and community builders, the event aims to create a more cohesive support network. The implications are far-reaching—stronger connections can lead to more collaborative projects, increased representation behind the camera, and greater opportunities for AANHPI voices in storytelling. For an industry that has historically underrepresented Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, events like this are crucial for building a pipeline of talent and fostering a sense of belonging that can drive systemic change.
