The 4th Annual Critics Choice AAPI Celebration, directed by four-time Primetime Emmy-nominated producer and director Narumi Inatsugu, will premiere exclusively on JoySauce this Saturday. Inatsugu serves as Chief Creative Officer of JoySauce, the all-new AAPI-focused streaming platform hosting the broadcast. Produced in partnership with the Critics' Choice Association, the Celebration of AAPI Cinema and Television spotlights the most impactful achievements by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists and creators in film and television.
The event recognizes storytelling that both resonates culturally and drives industry evolution. The 2025 honoree roster features a distinguished range of talent and projects, including Lucy Liu receiving the Trailblazer Award and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao earning the Vanguard Award. Director HIKARI won the Director Award for Rental Family, while Academy Award winner Maggie Kang received the Animation Award for Netflix's global sensation KPop Demon Hunters, now one of the most-watched animated films of the year with hundreds of millions of streams worldwide.
Additional honorees include Ali Ahn for the Supporting Actress Award, Chase Sui Wonders for the Breakthrough Actress Award, and Lukita Maxwell for the Rising Star Award. Shih-Ching Tsou earned the Breakthrough Director Award, Michelle K. Sugihara received the Industry Leadership Award, and Thomas Pa'a Sibbett was honored with the Social Impact Award. The Japanese anime phenomenon Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle received the International Animation Award.
The Celebration, held November 14, 2025 in Beverly Hills, brought together a cross-section of AAPI artists, executives, creators, and advocates for a day of recognition, conversation, and community building. This gathering underscored the breadth and depth of AAPI impact across formats and genres. Hosted by writer and co-programmer Kylie Mar, the event honored both established icons and emerging voices whose work expands representation and sets new creative benchmarks.
Presenters and attendees included industry leaders and collaborators celebrating standout projects from Rosemead to Left-Handed Girl and emphasizing the achievements of AAPI talent in front of and behind the camera. Sponsors Milagro Tequila, Julia S. Gouw, NEP Sweetwater, and FIJI Water supported the Celebration, which continues to grow as a defining cultural platform for inclusive excellence. More information about the Critics' Choice Association can be found at https://www.criticschoice.com.
Under Inatsugu's creative leadership, the Critics' Choice AAPI Celebration has become a cornerstone moment 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 of the channel, furthering the platform's mission to elevate underrepresented voices and champion bold storytelling. This exclusive JoySauce broadcast marks a strategic milestone for the platform and the broader recognition of AAPI storytelling in an evolving media landscape. The streaming platform's website is accessible at https://www.joysauce.com.
The exclusive broadcast represents a significant development in media representation, providing a dedicated platform for AAPI stories and creators that have historically been underrepresented in mainstream entertainment. By partnering with the Critics' Choice Association, JoySauce gains credibility and reach while offering viewers access to content that celebrates diverse perspectives. For the AAPI community, this visibility can inspire future generations of creators and demonstrate the commercial viability of inclusive storytelling.
Industry observers note that dedicated platforms like JoySauce are changing how audiences discover content and how creators find distribution for their work. As streaming services continue to fragment along demographic and interest lines, specialized platforms can cultivate loyal audiences while serving communities that mainstream services may overlook. The Critics Choice AAPI Celebration broadcast exemplifies how strategic partnerships between industry organizations and targeted streaming services can amplify important cultural conversations while delivering quality programming to specific audience segments.
