The fourth annual Critics Choice AAPI Celebration, directed by four-time Primetime Emmy-nominated producer and director Narumi Inatsugu, will premiere exclusively on the AAPI-focused streaming platform JoySauce this Saturday. This event, produced in partnership with the Critics' Choice Association, spotlights the most impactful achievements by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists and creators in film and television, recognizing storytelling that resonates culturally and drives industry evolution.
The importance of this broadcast lies in its role as a dedicated platform amplifying AAPI voices at a time when representation and inclusive storytelling are critical to the media landscape. By exclusively airing on JoySauce, where Inatsugu serves as Chief Creative Officer, the celebration reaches an audience specifically seeking AAPI content, thereby strengthening community connection and visibility. This move signals a strategic shift toward specialized platforms championing underrepresented narratives, potentially influencing how awards ceremonies and cultural recognitions are distributed and consumed in the future.
The 2025 honoree roster underscores the breadth of AAPI talent, featuring Lucy Liu receiving the Trailblazer Award, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao with the Vanguard Award, and director HIKARI honored for Rental Family. Academy Award winner Maggie Kang earned the Animation Award for Netflix's global sensation KPop Demon Hunters, which has become one of the most-watched animated films of the year with hundreds of millions of streams worldwide. Additional honorees include Ali Ahn, Chase Sui Wonders, Lukita Maxwell, Shih-Ching Tsou, Michelle K. Sugihara, Thomas Pa'a Sibbett, and the Japanese anime phenomenon Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle for the International Animation Award.
Held on November 14, 2025, in Beverly Hills, the celebration brought together AAPI artists, executives, creators, and advocates for recognition, conversation, and community building. Hosted by writer and co-programmer Kylie Mar, the event highlighted both established icons and emerging voices whose work expands representation and sets new creative benchmarks. The gathering emphasized achievements across projects like Rosemead and Left-Handed Girl, showcasing AAPI talent in front of and behind the camera. Sponsors including Milagro Tequila, Julia S. Gouw, NEP Sweetwater, and FIJI Water supported the event, which continues to grow as a defining cultural platform for inclusive excellence.
Under Inatsugu's creative leadership, the Critics' Choice AAPI Celebration has become a cornerstone on the awards calendar, with a fifth annual installment already confirmed for May. Inatsugu also oversees JoySauce's original content slate and overall creative direction, furthering the platform's mission to elevate underrepresented voices and champion bold storytelling. This exclusive broadcast on JoySauce marks a strategic milestone, not only for the platform but also for the broader recognition of AAPI storytelling in an evolving media industry. For more information on the Critics' Choice Association, visit https://www.criticschoice.com.
