Gold House and CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics) in Entertainment released the fourth annual Gold List, which spotlights outstanding work and talent within the AAPI community over the past 12 months.
“The Gold List was created to ensure awards seasons and mainstream society are up to date on the most worthy creative work — particularly work from communities that have been historically overlooked or excluded,” Jeremy Tran, executive director and chief operating officer of Gold House, said in a statement. “Every visible success leads to numerous unseen doors that are opened for new creative development, production, and distribution opportunities for these communities.”
Celine Song’s “Past Lives” leads the list which is voted on by the community’s industry leaders and used to guide voters during awards season. It received a nod for best picture, director and original screenplay for Song and performance in a leading role for Greta Lee. Teo Yoo also received an honorable mention for his supporting performance.
Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and The Heron” was recognized for best animated feature, while Olivia Rodrigo’s original song “Can’t Catch Me Now” from “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” was also honored. “May December’s” Charles Melton was lauded for his supporting performance in the Todd Haynes film.
“It is incredible to witness the tremendous work our community continues to bring to the global stage. Let us continue to empower and uplift one another through new portrayals and experiences across artistic mediums,” Melton said in a statement.
Said Song, “What an amazing honor to be part of this year’s Gold List!As writer, director, and on behalf of my incredible producers, itmeans a lot for this movie about an Asian-American immigrant woman to be celebrated by the community thatso many of us in front of and behind the screen belong to.” She added, “A special congratulations to our Nora and Hae Sung: Greta Lee and Teo Yoo.Thank you so much to Gold House for your support of this story and this film — it’s ours to share with the world.”
The 2024 Gold List also featured a record number of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander honorees. Lindsay Watson won breakout performance for “The Wind & the Reckoning,” with honorable mentions going to Taika Waititi, Keanu Reeves and Stan Walker for original screenplay (“Next Goal Wins”), performance in a leading role (“John Wick: Chapter 4”) and original song (“I AM” from “Origin”), respectively.
2023 saw immense critical and commercial success for films by and starring Asian Pacific creatives. Gold House research found that 22% of films grossing over $100 million at the post-pandemic domestic box office featured an Asian Pacific director, screenwriter or lead actor. Additionally, 2023 Gold List winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once” broke numerous records during awards season including the first film to win six above-the-line Oscars. The film’s star Michelle Yeoh also made history as the first Asian best actress winner.
“In the aftermath of a particularly tumultuous year, including hard-fought gains on the labor front, we are excited to uplift these outstanding titles and talents for awards consideration,” Michelle K. Sugihara, executive director of CAPE, said in a statement. “These incredible projects deepen the pool of nuanced storytelling and reflect the vibrant multitudes of our communities.”
See the full list of Gold List selections below.
Best Picture
“Past Lives”
Honorable Mentions: “Monster” and “Perfect Days”
Best Director
Celine Song (“Past Lives”)
Honorable Mentions: Hayao Miyazaki (“The Boy and the Heron”) and Tran Anh Hung (“The Taste of Things”)
Best Performance in a Leading Role
Greta Lee (“Past Lives”)
Honorable Mentions: Ashley Park (“Joy Ride”), Keanu Reeves (“John Wick: Chapter 4”), Koji Yakusho (“Perfect Days”), Sakura Ando (“Monster”) and Teo Yoo (“Past Lives”)
Best Performance in a Supporting Role
Charles Melton (“May December”)
Honorable Mentions: Riz Ahmed (“Fingernails”), Sabrina Wu (“Joy Ride)”, Sherry Cola (“Joy Ride”), Simu Liu (“Barbie”) and Stephanie Hsu (“Joy Ride”)
Best Original Screenplay
Celine Song (“Past Lives”)
Honorable Mentions: Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao (“Joy Ride”) and Hayao Miyazaki (“The Boy and The Heron”)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Dave Callaham, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller (“Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse”)
Honorable Mentions: Adrian Tomine (“Shortcomings”) and Taika Waititi and Iain Morris (“Next Goal Wins”)
Best Animated Feature
“The Boy and The Heron”
Honorable Mentions: “Elemental,” “Nimona” and “Suzume”
Best documentary Feature
“To Kill A Tiger”
Honorable Mentions: “a.k.a. Mr Chow and Liquor Store Dreams”
Best Original Song
“Can’t Catch Me Now” – Olivia Rodrigo (“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”)
Honorable Mentions: “I AM” by Stan Walker (“Origin”) and “All Love Is Love” by Bowen Yang, Aaron Jackson, Josh Sharp, Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally (“Dicks: The Musical”)
Best Animated Short
“War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko”
Honorable Mentions: “Our Uniform” and “The Old Young Crow”
Best documentary Short
“Between Earth and Sky”
Honorable Mentions: “Island in Between” and “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó”
Best Live Action Short
“Yellow”
Honorable Mentions: “Closing Dynasty,” “Eid Mubarak” and “Take Me Home”
Breakout Performance
Lindsay Watson (“The Wind & The Reckoning”)
Breakout Independent Film
“Polite Society”
