Renaissance High School and Make Noise Today Celebrate AAPI Storytelling Through Film

Photo courtesy of Paolina Cummings.

Renaissance High School, in partnership with Make Noise Today, recently hosted an inspiring event celebrating film and the importance of sharing AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) voices.

Held at the Edison Theater in downtown Long Beach, the packed auditorium featured dual screenings of two award-winning documentaries by Vietnamese American filmmakers Cathy Linh Che and Elizabeth Ai. The two incredible artists shared their creative journeys and reflected on themes of identity, memory, and survival from a Vietnamese perspective.

Cathy Linh Che, an LBUSD and Jordan High School alumna, received the 2025 Sundance Award for Best Short Documentary and was recently named as a finalist for the National Book Award for her latest work. Elizabeth Ai, whose feature-length documentary New Wave won a 2024 Tribeca Special Jury Award, spoke about her experiences as a storyteller and the importance of highlighting cultural narratives.

The conversation was guided by Ky-Phong Tran, LBUSD’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Together, the group discussed the importance of representation in the media and how storytelling can create a deeper understanding and connection.

Throughout the evening, talented LBUSD students served as guest speakers, production assistants, photographers, event setup specialists, ushers, craft services providers, and public relations representatives. Their professionalism and enthusiasm helped make the event an incredible success.

Renaissance High School has proudly co-hosted the annual event for the past four years and looks forward to next year's event to continue highlighting AAPI voices, storytelling, and creativity.