CAPE Will Celebrate 35th Anniversary in Los Angeles
The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment will host its annual gala on October 3, 2026, in Downtown Los Angeles.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Asian-American

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The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) has announced the honorees for its 35th anniversary gala, which will take place in Downtown Los Angeles on October 3, 2026. The milestone event will recognize prominent figures in the industry with multiple awards.
Why it matters
The gala serves as a platform to celebrate the organization's 35-year history of advocating for Asian Pacific representation in the entertainment industry. It highlights key creative and executive contributions through a series of annual awards.
The 35th anniversary gala will be held in Downtown Los Angeles on October 3, 2026. This year's celebration is officially presented by Lexus.
The players
Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment
CAPE is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Asian Pacific representation in the entertainment and media sectors.
Kitao Sakurai
Kitao Sakurai is an award-winning filmmaker and director who is being honored with a Visionary Award.
Ben Wang
Ben Wang is an actor recognized for his growing influence and contributions to the film industry.
Jinny Howe
Jinny Howe is a notable industry executive receiving recognition for her leadership and decision-making roles.
Kalikolehua Hurley
Kalikolehua Hurley is a professional recognized for her ongoing impact on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The details
The program for the evening includes award presentations, live performances, and an afterparty, with support from various sponsors and donors. Honorees include Kitao Sakurai for the Visionary Award, Ben Wang for the Rising Star Award, Jinny Howe for the Decision Maker Award, Kalikolehua Hurley for the Changemaker Award, and the women of The Pitt for the Radiance Award.
Timeline
The CAPE 35th anniversary gala will occur on October 3, 2026.
Kitao Sakurai's video game adaptation is scheduled for release on October 16, 2026.
The new Hunger Games film is set to debut on November 20, 2026.
Culture Shift
This gala reflects the ongoing shift toward increased Asian Pacific representation in major media as tracked by CAPE entertainment impact reports. The event serves as a central hub for recognizing the talent and leadership driving this diversification across global franchises.
The gala brings high-profile industry events to Downtown Los Angeles, potentially impacting local travel and event accessibility on October 3. Residents and enthusiasts can monitor official updates to see how the celebration affects local venue operations.
The takeaway
The 35th anniversary of CAPE underscores the long-term commitment to institutional change within the entertainment industry. Supporting these events allows the public to better understand the critical behind-the-scenes work that shapes the media landscape.
Further reading
For more information on the impact of these figures on the industry, visit the Asian-American section.
More information
Read additional details regarding the honorees and schedule at the CAPE anniversary gala event details.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
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