Geena Davis Institute and Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment New Study Shows Positive Progress in API Representation, but There’s Room for Improvement (EXCLUSIVE)

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As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the Geena Davis Institute, in collaboration with the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment and the IW Group, has revealed promising advancements in the representation of APIs (Asian Pacific Islanders) in Hollywood by 2025. This study paints a hopeful picture for more diverse and inclusive storytelling in our cherished film industry.

The results from the Rewriting the Script: A New Era for API Voices in Hollywood report, which is a continuation of their trailblazing 2021 study titled I Am Not a Fetish or Model Minority: Redefining What it Means to Be Asian Pacific Islander (API) in the Entertainment Industry, were presented at an event organized by GDI and CAPE.

Approximately 62% of professionals working in the API sector now believe their opinions are respected, marking a notable rise compared to 2021, when just 44% of those surveyed held this view.

Personally, I’ve been heartened by the findings of a recent study revealing that over two-thirds (62%) of professionals within the API industry now feel their voices are respected – a considerable uptick from just 44% in 2021. This research also suggests a reduction in microaggressions and a diminished sense of tokenization in the workplace for these professionals.

Geena Davis, founder of GDI, eloquently expressed, “Representation matters – not only for how communities perceive themselves but also for how they are perceived by the world at large. This new research serves as a potent testament to the fact that progress is achievable when we prioritize authenticity. We’re honored to collaborate with CAPE in our ongoing mission to amplify API voices and narratives in Hollywood and beyond.

As a devoted admirer speaking up, I’m thrilled to share that I’m privileged to join forces with the Geena Davis Institute yet again. Together, we delve into these crucial indicators of media representation. In these testing moments for the entertainment world, this research serves not just as a current snapshot but also as an inspiring signpost of progress. It reminds us all that as we strive for more profound and diverse narratives from our communities, we’re collectively making strides in the right direction.

The supplementary insights revealed in the report indicate that a majority (72%) of professionals in the API sector admitted to encountering microaggressions at work, compared to a higher figure (80.9%) in 2021. Moreover, about two-thirds (62.9%) of those polled have felt tokenized, which represents a decrease of approximately 10 percentage points from the statistics recorded in 2021 (72.5%).

The data indicates an enhancement regarding diversity in the meeting space. A majority of participants (about 81.7%) typically find themselves as the sole API individual during meetings, which represents a nearly 8-point decrease compared to the statistics from 2021 (89.4%).

Behind the scenes, there’s still room for improvement in how APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are depicted. There’s more work to be done in this area. When we asked survey participants what changes they’d like to see in API representation in Hollywood, a recurring theme was “more”: “more stories”, “more diversity”, “more authenticity” and “more opportunities”.

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2025-05-30 17:48