PANEL: CRAZY QUEER ASIANS

In a groundbreaking year for Asian American representation in Hollywood, queer Asian Americans aren’t just part of the conversation — they’re movers and shakers shifting the tectonic plates as well. Following in the footsteps of pioneers like Gregg Araki and Margaret Cho, our panel of exciting new talent is leading the charge. Join us as they discuss their trailblazing careers in entertainment, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and why “it’s an honor just to be Asian.”

In person: Nik Dodani (Atypical), Nicky Endres (One Day at a Time), Lauren Moon (Good Trouble), Vincent Rodriguez III (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Insatiable), and Leo Sheng (Adam, The L Word: Generation Q) schedules permitting. Panel moderated by Jiavani Linayao (Between Two Ferns).

PANELISTS

VINCENT RODRIGUEZ III is an actor best known as Filipino love interest Josh Chan in CW’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which wrapped its fourth and final season, now all available on Netflix. Vincent can next be seen on Netflix as a recurring character in season two of Insatiable.

 
NIK DODANI is best known as Zahid on Atypical and for the thriller Escape Room. Previously, Nik was a series regular on the Murphy Brown revival and appeared in the gay teenage rom-com Alex Strangelove. He is currently adapting Rakesh Satyal’s debut novel Blue Boy, charting an Indian-American boy’s transformation from social outcast to local god.

NICKY ENDRES (they/them or she/her) is a non-binary transfeminine genderqueer actor, comedian, and writer. Most recently recurring on Netflix’s third season of the critically-acclaimed One Day at a Time, Nicky’s other credits include Pushing Diasies, Don’t Trust the B in Apt. 23, and Sullivan and Son.

VICKY LUU is a writer and co-executive producer on NBC’s Superstore. Her past works include Marry Me (NBC) and The Grinder (FOX). This past year she developed a half-hour comedy pilot for NBC (spoiler, it did not go to series), and currently has a blind script deal with Universal TV.

 
LAUREN MOON (Atypical, Good Trouble) is a queer third-generation Korean American LA-based writer/activist born in Dallas, TX. She is a graduate of Pomona College and holds an MFA from USC. She is currently writing on a to-be-announced Netflix YA Christmas show, developing features with Disney Plus and Issa Rae’s Color Creative, playing in a rowdy punk band, and has a bi-weekly radio show.

Born in Hunan, China and raised outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan, LEO SHENG came out as trans when he was 12 and later went public, documenting his medical transition online through Instagram, Huffington Post articles, and MTV Voices. After an extensive search, he was selected for the role of Ethan in the Outfest Los Angeles US Centerpiece Adam and will join the cast of The L Word: Generation Q.

MODERATOR

JIAVANI LINAYAO is a Filipino/Black writer performer based in Los Angeles. She performs at UCB with Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, Skyjammer, Asian AF, Filipino AF, UCLGBT, UCB Drag Race and more. She appears in sketches for Buzzfeed and Funny or Die and has been a writer for the CBS Diversity Showcase. Her go-to karaoke song is “Pony” by Ginuwine. She can next be seen in the highly anticipated Between Two Ferns film on Netflix.

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ABOUT A SHORT FILM

Directed by Kevin Yee

Comedian Kevin Yee makes a short film about making a short film.