Resilient Young Asian Network (R.Y.A.N.)
Named by the youth, Resilient Young Asian Network (R.Y.A.N.) was born in 2003 under the auspices of Ryan, the founding program director. Drawing from his own story of confronting cultural conflicts, poverty and racism in neighborhoods, and at school, heavy work demands and constant family responsibilities, Ryan wanted to create an unconventional program that empowered youth to express their dreams and struggles through whatever mediums that spoke to them. Film was the most appealing medium, so Ryan used this attraction to engage youth to star in productions that they could shout messages to the world about issues they are facing. Youths lives became scripts for their films.*
R.Y.A.N. lost their physical meeting space in the summer of 2006 because demolition work would be done to their host building in the coming months. But before losing their physical "home" they made one final film together known as "YourSpace" for the 48 Hour Film Project Competition. "YourSpace" won the Audience Award and has played twice at the AFI theater, Warehouse theater, GV Expo, and made its international premier at the 10th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival on November 3rd.
Even though the physical space is no longer exists, the Resilient Young Asian Network's mission continues to give Asian-American youth from the DC metropolitan area an outlet to share their voices and visions through media.
R.Y.A.N. truly appreciates everyone who has supported them over the years.
*Excerpt is lifted from the from the Asianweek article.
