BOAT PEOPLE: A 50-Year Journey – Special Screening and Director Meet & Greet at HAAPIFest
Join us for a powerful and moving experience at the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival (HAAPIFest) as we proudly present the special screening of BOAT PEOPLE: A 50-Year Journey on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042.
🎟️ Get your tickets now at www.haapifest.org/tickets
About the Film
BOAT PEOPLE: A 50-Year Journey is a powerful 60-minute Vietnamese-language documentary that captures the harrowing and heroic journeys of Vietnamese refugees who fled their homeland following the Vietnam War. Marking the 50th anniversary of Canada-Vietnam diplomatic relations, the film offers an intimate look into the lives of five Vietnamese Canadian families, shedding light on their dangerous sea voyages through storms, starvation, and pirate attacks, and their eventual resettlement in Canada.
Through firsthand accounts, interviews with historians, journalists, and survivors, this documentary celebrates not just survival, but the incredible resilience and contributions of the Vietnamese community in Canada—shaping its cultural, political, and athletic landscape.
Meet the Director – Thanh Tam
We are honored to welcome Director Thanh Tam for an exclusive meet and greet session following the screening. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the visionary behind the film, gain deeper insights into the making of the documentary, and engage in meaningful dialogue about history, identity, and community.
About Thanh Tâm
Thanh Tâm is an award-winning filmmaker and media producer whose work has left a lasting impact on Vietnamese communities around the world. With over a decade of experience in journalism, broadcasting, and film, she has built a reputation for telling deeply human stories that preserve history and inspire future generations.
From 2010 to 2014, Thanh Tâm co-produced and managed Tiếng Nói Trẻ Radio Station and Thời Báo Trẻ Magazine in partnership with Thời Báo Canada. She later served as the Producer for SBTN Canada from 2014 to 2019, where her news and community reports became a trusted voice for the Vietnamese diaspora across North America.
In 2017, she co-founded and became the Executive Director of VIETLIVE TV, one of the most influential social media platforms for overseas Vietnamese, attracting millions of viewers globally.
Thanh Tâm’s transition into filmmaking was marked by critical acclaim. After graduating from the Toronto Film School in 2018, her debut short film, Her Little Rose (Bông Hồng của Mẹ), won multiple international film festival awards. Her 2021–2023 project, A Realm of Return (Bóng Quá Khứ), screened nearly 50 times across major Vietnamese communities in North America, Australia, and Europe.
In 2022, she was invited by multicultural broadcaster ECG to direct and produce the documentary BOAT PEOPLE: A 50-Year Journey, which has since been screened over 80 times in more than 40 cities worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., France, Australia, and Germany.
Thanh Tâm’s contributions have earned her prestigious honors from international leaders and government bodies, including commendations from Congressman Milton Dick, MP Tien Dung Kieu, MP Dai Le, Michelle Steel, City of San Jose, and Senator Dave Cortese, among others. She is also a recipient of YouTube’s Gold Creator Award for surpassing one million subscribers.
Why You Should Attend
🌊 Experience untold stories of Vietnamese boat people through compelling personal narratives
🎥 Meet the filmmaker and learn about the creative journey behind the lens
📽️ Be part of HAAPIFest 2025, an event that highlights Asian American voices and stories
Whether you’re part of the Vietnamese diaspora, passionate about human rights, or simply a lover of impactful cinema, BOAT PEOPLE: A 50-Year Journey is a must-watch documentary that will touch your heart and deepen your understanding of resilience and freedom.
Event Details
📅 Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
🎟️ Tickets: www.haapifest.org/tickets
Don’t miss this unforgettable event—a tribute to the courage of Vietnamese refugees and the legacy they built in Canada. Secure your spot today and be part of this historic celebration at HAAPIFest 2025!
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