Inaugural 'Across the Industry' Event Unites Over 260 AANHPI Entertainment Leaders in Los Angeles

More than 260 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) leaders, creatives, executives, and community builders converged at Rideback Ranch in Historic Filipinotown on May 31 for the inaugural Across the Industry gathering. Hosted by Augie Max Vargas and Narumi Inatsugu, the event aimed to strengthen connections across the AANHPI entertainment community and broader creative industries during AANHPI Heritage Month.

Unlike traditional industry events, Across the Industry was intentionally designed without panels, awards, fundraising, or red carpets. Instead, the gathering focused on creating space for authentic connection among professionals whose paths do not often intersect despite working throughout the same entertainment ecosystem. Attendees included members from major guilds, academies, production companies, studios, networks, cultural institutions, and community organizations.

"The idea was to bring together the absolute best Above-The-Line and Below-The-Line AANHPI entertainment professionals working across television and film," said Vargas, founder of The Vargas Company and co-host. "A common thread I heard all night was a feeling of joyful emotion where attendees felt inspired and, more importantly, part of a community that is larger and stronger than many people realize."

"What happened in that room was bigger than networking," said Inatsugu, CEO of Rumiville Inc. and co-host. "It was a reminder that community is one of the most powerful forces in our industry. When people from different generations, disciplines, and backgrounds come together with a shared sense of purpose, new ideas emerge, new relationships are formed, and the future becomes a little more connected."

The event also featured professional headshot activations, curated brand participation, and community experiences, creating opportunities for attendees to build new relationships across sectors that rarely gather together. The success of the inaugural gathering has already sparked conversations about future editions, positioning Across the Industry as an annual platform for strengthening community, collaboration, and connection across the AANHPI entertainment community and beyond.

The gathering underscores a growing recognition of the need for intentional, informal spaces where AANHPI professionals can build relationships beyond transactional networking. By bringing together individuals from film, television, streaming, technology, music, business, culture, philanthropy, and public service, the event highlighted the interconnectedness of the industry and the power of community-driven initiatives.