Staff
Festival Director: Joe Kim
Joe, a native Philadelphian, graduated from Temple University with a degree in film and media arts. His films have been screened in numerous venues nationwide including the Philadelphia Film Festival, the Urbanworld Film Festival and MTV Chi. In 2007, he served as David Oh’s (Philadelphia City Council at Large run) Campaign Media Director, producing commercials that aired in 1.7 million households, as well as serving as a key staff member in the hotly contested race that came down to 122 votes. Joe has recently served on panels hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office and the Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association (PIFVA).
LinkedIn Profile
Festival Programmer: Franklin Shen
Franklin grew up in Lancaster, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and currently works as a consultant. While at college, he was active in the Asian American community and continues to be actively involved both on and off the campus. He mentors students every two weeks, serves as the Philadelphia Chapter representative for the University of Pennsylvania Asian Alumni Network (UPAAN), and sits on the advisory board of the Pan Asian American Community House. In his free time, he also freelances as an actor and playwright when he’s not playing sports. PAAFF offers Franklin the perfect opportunity to combine his business savvy and artistic side in assisting in the development and implementation of the film festival as well as its programming.
Festival Coordinator: Michael Wingate Jones
Michael is a Philadelphia based actor and independent filmmaker listed on IMDB, as well as a practicing attorney (JD/MBA, Graduate of Villanova Law School). As an actor, since 2002 he has appeared on primetime network series such as Cold Case, Hack, and The West Wing, and worked on SAG feature films such as Invincible, Lady In The Water, Rocky Balboa, Breach, Shooter, The Happening, and Get Smart. He has also had lead and principal roles in numerous indie short films, regional commercials and industrials. As a filmmaker, WinGate Films’ first short film, “Nothing But Net” has been officially selected and screened at a variety of regional film festivals and other public screening venues.
Wingate Films website
Corporate Relations Director: Brad Baldia
Brad, a graduate of Bucknell University (Bachelor’s) and Temple (Master’s), works extensively with the Asian America community on a local and national level, with the Pan Asian Association of Greater Philadelphia and the National Association of Asian American Professionals. In 2002, Brad was recognized as one of the “Top 30 Most Influential Asians in America Under the Age of 30”. Brad will primarily act as a fundraiser and corporate liaison with the foundation and his established network of contacts in the Asian American community and in many Philadelphia non-profits and corporations.
Festival Staff: Maria Gonzalez
Maria has previously worked on the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival and the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.
Festival Staff: Shiella May Cervantes
Shiella currently serves as the Associate Director of the Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH) at the University of Pennsylvania. Through her position as PAACH’s AD, she works with and advises Asian American undergraduate students and student groups as well as oversees Asian American mentoring and leadership programs. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her degree in Cultural Anthropology, as well as a minor in Asian American Studies and Psychology.
Festival Support: Steve Kim
Steve is a teacher at Haverford School and has always been supportive of Asian American film. He volunteers his time to do whatever it takes to make the festival work!
Event Coordinator: Diana Kim
A University of Pennsylvania alum and a big supporter of the arts, Diana has worked with Tamara to make our events happen. She also takes many of our nice photos.
Event Coordinator: Tamara Maslar
An actress, designer and wife, Tamara helps beautify all of our events.
Marketing Coordinator: Phil Katz
Phil was born and raised in Philadelphia and returned here to start his career after graduating from Washington University’s Olin School of Business. In 2007 Phil launched GroundUp Marketing, a creative marketing and design business in Center City, Philadelphia. One of Phil’s hobbies is video editing and he hopes to expand his business to offer more online promotional video for clients. He is also putting together a plan to shoot his first documentary short this summer.
GroundUp Marketing Website
Festival Intern: Jenny Phuong
Jenny is currently participating in Temple University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management internship program. Jenny will assist in coordination and management of all events, films and parties.
Other Festival Interns: Jessica Tran, Ha Truong, Victoria Chau
Graphic Design: Ron Lu
A native of Amish Country USA (Lancaster, PA), Ron utilizes his skills as a graphic designer to make PAAFF look all polished and pretty. Specializing in print design, Ron has a degree in Art from Millersville University. In his spare time Ron enjoys yoga, photography, traveling and all types of cinema except Horror cuz they give him nightmares. Ron designed the Program Guide and additional promotional material.
Link to his work
Festival Trailer: Tim Pachuau
Tim is a senior at Asbury College and a graphic designer with proficiency in after effects.
Link to his work
Logo/Postcard Design: Eunice Choi
Eunice is a Washington D.C. based designer specializing in motion graphics and print.
Link to her work
Legal Counsel: Joyce E. Koh, Esquire
Joyce is a native Philadelphian. Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Joyce worked for Senator Arlen Specter as his Director of Asian American Constituent Affairs. After her time with the Senator, Joyce returned to her alma mater to work in Development and Alumni Relations where she worked closely with alumni volunteers up and down the southeast corridor, including Puerto Rico. Joyce attended law school at the Beasley School of Law at Temple University where she served as the President of the Asian Pacific Americal Law Students Association. Upon graduating, Joyce went to work as an associate at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP and then at Morgan, Lewis & Bockus LLP. Joyce is currently in-house at a finance company located outside of Philadelphia.
