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I AM SO THRILLED. @caamedia has been one of my favorite festivals in the country supporting non-traditional stories by API filmmakers. Their spirit is a gift to our industry. COMFORT FOOD has been selected to premiere in one of their six shorts programs (“Old Roots New Branches”) and we are so very honored. Stay tuned for more info, but check out our block Sunday 5/10 at 5:45pm

https://caamfest.com/2026/programs/old-roots-new-branches/ If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to see you.

Writer/Director @reena.dutt
Producers @kajriakhtar @thatfriendlyng
EPs @gardnergrout @seawolffilms @monkeymankumar @archanamisrajain
Starring @juneangela_official @shalini_bathina
UPMs Maxwell Kagan @chenning_yy
1st AD @alicine__
DP @ino.dp
Production Design @itsrjactually
Art Director Fernando Acuna
Set Dressers Ethan Gomez Leilani Weitherall @zach._.parkerr
@zoegameros Chloe Smith @ella_garber Duncan Rattray @sashaaaa_t
Food Stylist @emilijadelgadillo
Prop Master @nandar_mmt
Cam Op @mynameisyifan
1st AC @jacob_mariani
2nd AC @salenfriend
Steadicam @kojikojimasteadicam
Key Grip @j_logan_alesso
BBG Andy Poulsen
Grip/Swng Christopher Dominguez Hye Young Ra Yorick Moran Garcia
Still Photography and BTS sethlonborg @ava.deleon24
Gaffer @bluestockinchic Seth Fuller
G&E Swing Michael Prieto
Sound Mixer @creighyanchar Jesse Lopez
Boom Operator @morgan_chan
VFX Supervisor @anoop_surya
MUH @the_face_couture
Costume @reenaray
Set Medic Eric Robledo
Script Supervisor @danakoops
2nd AD @japhetdadon
PAs @allymlardner Andrew Wilden @a_duel River Thompson Jack Perry Claudia
Alex Wilden
Craft Services and Catering @crafty.tj

A night to remember. From the encouragement of peers, to the support of community, to the thrill of seeing the finished products of our labor a little over a year later...this program has influenced so much of how I see film, stories, community-building. I am so lucky to have been a part of the 2026 cohort - so lucky to have new fr-olleagues that I deeply respect...I cannot get this smile off my face. Also, Quinta Brunson is a powerhouse and truth-speaker. Loved her keynote for ALL its honesty and humor.

THANK YOU to everyone who supported me for the past decades - who have seen me shift between departments from on-camera to off - who watched me discover and rediscover my purpose in storytelling, and still show up with bells on for every single success and hurdle.

Forever grateful.

A night to remember. From the encouragement of peers, to the support of community, to the thrill of seeing the finished products of our labor a little over a year later...this program has influenced so much of how I see film, stories, community-building. I am so lucky to have been a part of the 2026 cohort - so lucky to have new fr-olleagues that I deeply respect...I cannot get this smile off my face. Also, Quinta Brunson is a powerhouse and truth-speaker. Loved her keynote for ALL its honesty and humor.

THANK YOU to everyone who supported me for the past decades - who have seen me shift between departments from on-camera to off - who watched me discover and rediscover my purpose in storytelling, and still show up with bells on for every single success and hurdle.

Forever grateful.

A night to remember. From the encouragement of peers, to the support of community, to the thrill of seeing the finished products of our labor a little over a year later...this program has influenced so much of how I see film, stories, community-building. I am so lucky to have been a part of the 2026 cohort - so lucky to have new fr-olleagues that I deeply respect...I cannot get this smile off my face. Also, Quinta Brunson is a powerhouse and truth-speaker. Loved her keynote for ALL its honesty and humor.

THANK YOU to everyone who supported me for the past decades - who have seen me shift between departments from on-camera to off - who watched me discover and rediscover my purpose in storytelling, and still show up with bells on for every single success and hurdle.

Forever grateful.

We’re gonna need a bigger poster and we couldn’t be prouder. 🏆

Seven festivals (and counting) have welcomed Crossing The Desert since its world premiere earlier this year.

Thrilled to add another laurel to the list: we’re officially part of the 16th annual @csaff Chicago South Asian Film Festival! The film screens September 14–21 at AMC River East 21.

Chicago fam, this one’s for you.

#futurehomepresents #crossingthedesertfilm #shortfilm #queerstories #bengali
#csaffestival2025 #csaffestival #csaff2025

We say collaboration is a frequency and @crossingthedesert became proof of that.

These behind-the-scenes moments capture what the film was really built on: trust, cultural exchange, and people showing up fully for one another. Every frame grew out of conversation, shared instinct, as well as a collective belief in the story we were telling together.

This film has now traveled to audiences across the world, but it started here, in a room, on set, with artists tuned into the same signal. That’s where real creation happens.

With ten festival laurels, and an Audience Award from @poppyjasperiff we can’t wait to see what happens next.

We say collaboration is a frequency and @crossingthedesert became proof of that.

These behind-the-scenes moments capture what the film was really built on: trust, cultural exchange, and people showing up fully for one another. Every frame grew out of conversation, shared instinct, as well as a collective belief in the story we were telling together.

This film has now traveled to audiences across the world, but it started here, in a room, on set, with artists tuned into the same signal. That’s where real creation happens.

With ten festival laurels, and an Audience Award from @poppyjasperiff we can’t wait to see what happens next.

We say collaboration is a frequency and @crossingthedesert became proof of that.

These behind-the-scenes moments capture what the film was really built on: trust, cultural exchange, and people showing up fully for one another. Every frame grew out of conversation, shared instinct, as well as a collective belief in the story we were telling together.

This film has now traveled to audiences across the world, but it started here, in a room, on set, with artists tuned into the same signal. That’s where real creation happens.

With ten festival laurels, and an Audience Award from @poppyjasperiff we can’t wait to see what happens next.

We say collaboration is a frequency and @crossingthedesert became proof of that.

These behind-the-scenes moments capture what the film was really built on: trust, cultural exchange, and people showing up fully for one another. Every frame grew out of conversation, shared instinct, as well as a collective belief in the story we were telling together.

This film has now traveled to audiences across the world, but it started here, in a room, on set, with artists tuned into the same signal. That’s where real creation happens.

With ten festival laurels, and an Audience Award from @poppyjasperiff we can’t wait to see what happens next.

We say collaboration is a frequency and @crossingthedesert became proof of that.

These behind-the-scenes moments capture what the film was really built on: trust, cultural exchange, and people showing up fully for one another. Every frame grew out of conversation, shared instinct, as well as a collective belief in the story we were telling together.

This film has now traveled to audiences across the world, but it started here, in a room, on set, with artists tuned into the same signal. That’s where real creation happens.

With ten festival laurels, and an Audience Award from @poppyjasperiff we can’t wait to see what happens next.

We say collaboration is a frequency and @crossingthedesert became proof of that.

These behind-the-scenes moments capture what the film was really built on: trust, cultural exchange, and people showing up fully for one another. Every frame grew out of conversation, shared instinct, as well as a collective belief in the story we were telling together.

This film has now traveled to audiences across the world, but it started here, in a room, on set, with artists tuned into the same signal. That’s where real creation happens.

With ten festival laurels, and an Audience Award from @poppyjasperiff we can’t wait to see what happens next.

We say collaboration is a frequency and @crossingthedesert became proof of that.

These behind-the-scenes moments capture what the film was really built on: trust, cultural exchange, and people showing up fully for one another. Every frame grew out of conversation, shared instinct, as well as a collective belief in the story we were telling together.

This film has now traveled to audiences across the world, but it started here, in a room, on set, with artists tuned into the same signal. That’s where real creation happens.

With ten festival laurels, and an Audience Award from @poppyjasperiff we can’t wait to see what happens next.

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

HAPPY OPENING TO HMONG FUTURES! Our hearts were full as the Mu family came together to celebrate @katie_ka_vang's play about intergenerational healing. And what an honor to have @mayorkaohlyher welcome everyone to the show, as well as having @repsamanthavang and staff from @joycefdn and @arts_midwest in attendance!

Swipe all the way to the end for our favorite picture of the night. ✨

For those who haven't seen HMONG FUTURES, get your tickets before May 3!

📷 @jaredfesslerphotography 1 & 2, 4-10

Peek into rehearsal for HMONG FUTURES: THE FUTURE OF US, and get your tickets for this family slice-of-life, Apr 9-May 3!

Tablework Week comes to an end with Hmong Futures: The Future of Us by @katie_ka_vang -- I am beyond thrilled by the hearts and minds in our room and Zoom. Let's get ON OUR FEET!!! (Not tagged Miles Latham cause I can't find...hmmm)

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

@hmong_futures: THE FUTURE OF US kicked off yesterday with a design preview and first readthrough! Don't miss Katie Ka Vang's slice-of-life play about three generations of Hmong American women, opening Apr 11 and running through May 3 at the Gremlin Theatre.

Pay As You Are tickets at the link in bio.

📷 @richryanphoto ft.
playwright @katie_ka_vang
director @reena.dutt
stage manager @haleynwalsh
scenic and costume designer @sarahbahrdesign
Mu artistic director @iamfrandeleon
cast: @itsmelodyherr, @iamnancyma, @sharonkeikoomi, @gregwatanabe, & @yasonmang

First day of @hmong_futures rehearsals. A feature in @hmong_times. We're ready to hit the ground running.

HMONG FUTURES: THE FUTURE OF US
by @katie_ka_vang
directed by @reena.dutt
Apr 11-May 3 (previews Apr 9 & 10)

Head to the HMONG FUTURES link in bio to read the article ft. Katie Ka Vang, Reena Dutt, and Mu managing director @dresdanh.

At the premiere AFI screening of the short film COMFORT FOOD at the Director’s Guild of America (DGA). In this 2 character film, I play an alcoholic redneck, complete with southern accent, who through her journey gets down and dirty - figuratively and literally. Thank you wonderful director/writer @reena.dutt! Shoutout to @shalini_bathina who co-starred. 😁

Pang Spa KBBQ #2 in the books. Working with this group of humans @chalkrep was truly one of the most playful+fulfilling experiences of my theatre life. 2 years later, and we're still having family meals. Some of the kindest, hardest working and talented folx in town. ❤️