Nowadays, there are festivals about anything Asian. Whether it’s a K-pop festival or an Asian night market, in an era of “China-maxxing” and K-Pop Demon Hunters, the world is tuned into what Asia has to offer.
So, why not comedy?
“We see festivals celebrating Asian food, art, and culture, and comedy is such a powerful and growing part of that landscape,” said Ed Yoo Pokropski, co-founder and executive producer of Asian Comedy Fest (ACF). “Why not an Asian Comedy Fest?”
This year, the Asian Comedy Fest will hold its seventh edition in New York City on May 5 to 7. Cold Tea Collective got a chance to chat with Pokropski to discuss the festival and the team behind it.
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Comedy by and for community
Asian Comedy Fest held its inaugural event in 2020. Pokropski along with Kate Lee Moran and Yao King founded and produced the event. The first festival featured Ronny Chieng and following editions have featured well-known acts like Karen Chee and Bowen Yang.
And then the pandemic hit. Still, the festival pushed forwards, and is now on its seventh edition. Since its early days, the festival has grown with over 200 submissions and new comics joining the festival annually.
The festival’s mission has been consistent since the beginning: community. And it shows up across the board, from hosting the event at the Asian-owned Sugar Mouse (a game hall and live events space) and working with AAPI staff.
“Working with a fully AAPI team has been incredibly rewarding, [and] at the same time, it feels very natural,” Pokropski said. “We’re united by a shared goal and passion for what we’re building. Within that, everyone brings their own background, perspective, and voice, which makes the work stronger and more collaborative.”
Over the years, Asian Comedy Fest has also raised over $30,000 to support local New York City charities, such as Welcome to Chinatown and the Asian American Arts Alliance. This year, all proceeds will go towards Immigrant Social Services, a New York City nonprofit serving immigrant families over 50 years.
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The core of comedy is storytelling
Behind all the jokes and laughs, Pokropski said “comedy is a form of storytelling.” And stories do more than entertain; they can lead to opportunities to laugh and understand the world better.
“Comedy allows stories to resonate in a way that feels accessible, memorable, and human,” Pokropski said.
“Great comedy is universal,” Pokropski said.
“Asian Comedy Fest is for everyone.”
The festival runs from May 7 to 9 with a total of six shows. You can find more information on their website, Eventbrite, and Instagram.
