Eastern Standard Times

Featured episodes

1/28/2025

America Fever - Miss Koreatown | Emanuel Hahn

Inspired by Miss Koreatown pageants based in Los Angeles in the ‘80s-‘90s, this series features 3 mixed-race Koreans to re-define the concept of beauty for a Korean diaspora. As Koreatowns formed across the U.S., the beauty pageant was a rare occasion for immigrants to gather as a community to celebrate beauty and kinship, and to educate Americans about Korean culture. The sashes reference the various stages of Korean immigration and farmwork carried out by early immigrants - “Miss Sugar” (sugar cane plantations in Hawaii), “Miss Orange” (citrus groves in California), and “Miss Cabbage” (cabbage farms for kimchi making). Los Angeles, as one of the most diverse cities in America, provided a fertile ground for the Korean community to grow and create its own sense of identity, characterized by cultural exchange. Click the video to watch AMERICA FEVER - MISS KOREATOWN.

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America Fever - Miss Koreatown | Emanuel Hahn

12/17/2024

Two Asian-American teenagers meet in the bathroom of a Chinese restaurant while having dinner with their families. Click video to watch LUCKY FISH on Vimeo.

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Lucky Fish | Emily May Jampel

12/3/2024

The Martyr of Hudson Yards | Kevin V. Doan

Following a relapse into anxiety attacks, Elias treads the recesses of his mind to get back to his loved ones. Click video to watch THE MARTYR OF HUDSON YARDS on Vimeo. Content warning: This film addresses issues pertaining to mental health crises and self-harm.

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The Martyr of Hudson Yards | Kevin V. Doan

11/28/2024

From Grammy nods to industry accolades, Nikita Chauhan is a force to be reckoned with. Based out of the UK, but managing influential artists across the world, from India and West Africa, back to London, Nikita has navigated the doubt, rejection, and constant need to maintain vision, with unwavering determination and a deep-rooted faith that she inherited from her grandparents. This is a story about success, and learning to cultivate the resilience needed to be a boss. But it’s more than that: it’s a story of legacy, one that finds the softer, often hidden strands that weave through the DNA of the people we admire most. Discover the inspiring story behind this young mogul in As Above, So Below.

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Mini docs

As Above, So Below

11/25/2024

This Designer Seeks to be the Voice of a Modern India

Payal Khandwala (@payalkhandwala) is the founder of her namesake fashion label which marries traditional Indian textiles with an international spirit. Ever since the brand's inception, @whatsappbusiness has helped them communicate more effectively, from connecting with vendors in remote areas of India to supporting international clients through personal consultations.

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This Designer Seeks to be the Voice of a Modern India

11/22/2024

During the Covid lockdown, Jasmeen Kaur captivated a global audience by showcasing her designs on Instagram Live. Her catchy tagline, “So beautiful. So elegant. Just looking like a wow,” quickly went viral, skyrocketing her brand @designmachinesuitslive allowing her to open more stores and fulfill thousands of orders every day.

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Micro Docs

The Indian Mom and Pop Fashion Brand That Looks Like a Wow

11/19/2024

Young People, Old People & Nothing In Between | Parida Tantiwasadakran

Connected by youth, in spite of age, 7-year-old Juice sets out to protect Grandma Lovely’s memories as her dementia progresses. Click video to watch YOUNG PEOPLE, OLD PEOPLE & NOTHING IN BETWEEN in Nowness Asia.

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Young People, Old People & Nothing In Between | Parida Tantiwasadakran

11/5/2024

White Butterfly (Bạch Hồ Điệp) | Catherine T. Nguyen

A mixed-race Vietnamese American returns to Vietnam following her estranged mother’s death where she must face her traditional family to uncover the complexities behind her parents’ separation. Click video to watch WHITE BUTTERFLY.

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White Butterfly (Bạch Hồ Điệp) | Catherine T. Nguyen

11/5/2024

Present day moments in New York lead Ayeon to reflect on her childhood in Seoul as she redefines her idea of home. Click video to watch CHIMERA.

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Chimera | Eileen Yoon

10/22/2024

Based on the harrowing reality of human trafficking along the Chinese/North Korean border, Sleep Well, My Baby follows the incredible journey of a refugee who's had everything taken from her and will go to desperate measures to get it back. Click video to watch SLEEP WELL, MY BABY.

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Sleep Well, My Baby | tao/s

2/21/2023

In 2019, streetwear designer Khanh Ngo launched his online store and made $90K in less than three months. He landed his “dream job” at Levi’s, but when COVID hit, he lost his job. Growing up in a rough neighborhood, Khanh wasn’t typical in the fashion industry, and people judged him for not being the model minority Asian. He also felt shamed by his father–a Veteran and Captain, who projected his own losses onto his son. Between familial pressures and stereotyping, Khanh wasn’t in a good place. Today, Khanh speaks on how those difficulties made him more authentic, and a source of inspiration, for even his own family. He’s proud to represent where he’s from and tell the stories he believes are important. He’s also focused on love–not normalizing being defensive “because you’re Asian” anymore.