Visual Communications' mission is to develop and support the voices of Asian American and Pacific Islander filmmakers and media artists who empower communities and challenge perspectives. Founded in 1970 by a group of pioneering independent filmmakers, Visual Communications Media (VC) has evolved from being the first Asian Pacific media arts center dedicated to the honest and accurate portrayals of the Asian American & Pacific Islander people and heritage, to an artistic development and resource center for media creators. Based in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, VC is a pioneer in the development of AAPI film, video, and media. The organization has created award-winning productions, nurtured and given voice to our youth and seniors, promoted new artistic talent, presented new cinema, and preserved our visual history. VC’s annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) showcases important new work by established filmmakers, and supports local and national, emerging talent. The LAAPFF is the only festival of its kind, scope, caliber and reputation in Los Angeles that celebrates Asian American and international film. Over 8 days, the annual LAAPFF celebrates Asian American and global Asian filmmakers and media artists with a showcase of over 150 films from the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora. The festival has an annual audience reaching over 25,000 individuals in attendance at its screenings, educational seminars, artist talks, and other special events. For almost five decades, VC has helped nurture filmmakers, artists, and actors in Hollywood, from directors Ang Lee, Wayne Wang, Jessica Yu and Justin Lin, to actors Pat Morita, John Cho, Randall Park, and Sandra Oh. VC continues to help promote the careers of Asian Pacific American talent as well as discover and nurture emerging talents. Today, VC continues to be a conduit for the Asian Pacific global communities to the American public through its numerous programs.