Arthur Dong
Encyclopedia
Arthur Dong (born October 30, 1953 in San Francisco, California
) is an Academy Award-nominated American
documentary filmmaker. His work combines the art of the visual medium with an investigation of social issues, examining topics such as Asian American
history and identity, and gay oppression. He received a BA (in film) from San Francisco State University
in 1982 and completed the Director's Fellowship program at American Film Institute Center for Advanced Film Studies
in 1985. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
where he served on the Board of Governors from 2002-2006 (Documentary Branch). Currently he serves on National Film Preservation Board
. He is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and has served on the Film Independent (formerly IFP/West) Board of Directors from 2000-2003.
in San Francisco from 1981–1982 and a producer at KCET
in Los Angeles from 1991-1992 (producing for Life & Times
). In 1982 he founded DeepFocus Productions, where he serves as producer, director and writer. He has received a nomination for an Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject
in 1984 for Sewing Woman
, a Peabody Award
in 1995 for Coming Out Under Fire
, three Sundance Film Festival
Awards, and five Emmy
nominations.
His 2007 documentary Hollywood Chinese
was recently broadcast on the PBS
series American Masters
, on May 27, 2009.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
) is an Academy Award-nominated American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
documentary filmmaker. His work combines the art of the visual medium with an investigation of social issues, examining topics such as Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
history and identity, and gay oppression. He received a BA (in film) from San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
in 1982 and completed the Director's Fellowship program at American Film Institute Center for Advanced Film Studies
AFI Conservatory
The AFI Conservatory is a division of the American Film Institute founded in 1969, located in Hollywood's Griffith Park. The school is the only existing Master of Fine Arts conservatory in advanced film education...
in 1985. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
where he served on the Board of Governors from 2002-2006 (Documentary Branch). Currently he serves on National Film Preservation Board
National Film Preservation Board
The United States National Film Preservation Board is the board selecting films for preservation in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry. It was established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988...
. He is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and has served on the Film Independent (formerly IFP/West) Board of Directors from 2000-2003.
Career
Dong was an associate producer for KGO-TVKGO-TV
KGO-TV, channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, based in San Francisco, California...
in San Francisco from 1981–1982 and a producer at KCET
KCET
KCET, channel 28, is an independent, non-commercial public television station licensed to Los Angeles, California, USA. KCET's studio is located on West Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, and its transmitter is atop Mount Wilson. Al Jerome is the current CEO and President, serving since 1996.KCET was...
in Los Angeles from 1991-1992 (producing for Life & Times
Life & Times (TV series)
Life & Times was a long-running award-winning local news magazine and public affairs series produced by and broadcast on KCET from 1991 to 2007. It was KCET's signature local program, airing weeknights, Monday through Friday, at 7pm....
). In 1982 he founded DeepFocus Productions, where he serves as producer, director and writer. He has received a nomination for an Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject
Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject
This is a list of films by year that have received an Oscar together with the other nominations for best documentary short subject. Following the Academy's practice, the year listed for each film is the year of release: the awards are announced and presented early in the following year.-1940s:*1941...
in 1984 for Sewing Woman
Sewing Woman
Sewing Woman is a 1983 short documentary film directed by Arthur Dong. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short....
, a Peabody Award
Peabody Award
The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. In 1939, the National Association of Broadcasters formed a committee to recognize outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting...
in 1995 for Coming Out Under Fire
Coming Out Under Fire
Coming Out Under Fire is a documentary film directed and produced by Arthur Dong and narrated by actress Salome Jens. Based on Allan Bérubé's book of the same title, the film examines the attitudes toward homosexuality in the United States Armed Forces during World War II.-Awards:*Special Jury...
, three Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
Awards, and five Emmy
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nominations.
His 2007 documentary Hollywood Chinese
Hollywood Chinese
Hollywood Chinese: The Chinese in American Featured Films is a 2007 American documentary film directed by Academy Award-nominated director Arthur Dong....
was recently broadcast on the PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
series American Masters
American Masters
American Masters is a PBS television show which produces biographies on the artists, actors and writers of the United States who have left a profound impact on the nation's popular culture. It is produced by WNET in New York City...
, on May 27, 2009.
Filmography
- Public (1980)
- Sewing WomanSewing WomanSewing Woman is a 1983 short documentary film directed by Arthur Dong. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short....
(1983) - Lotus (1988)
- Forbidden City, U.S.A. (1989)
- Claiming a Voice: The Visual Communications Story (1990)
- Coming Out Under FireComing Out Under FireComing Out Under Fire is a documentary film directed and produced by Arthur Dong and narrated by actress Salome Jens. Based on Allan Bérubé's book of the same title, the film examines the attitudes toward homosexuality in the United States Armed Forces during World War II.-Awards:*Special Jury...
(1994) - The Question of Equality (1995)
- Licensed To KillLicensed to Kill (1997 film)Licensed to Kill is a 1997 documentary written, directed, and produced by Arthur Dong, in which Dong, interviews various murderers known for their homophobic murders.-Summary:...
(1997) - Family Fundamentals (2002)
- Hollywood ChineseHollywood ChineseHollywood Chinese: The Chinese in American Featured Films is a 2007 American documentary film directed by Academy Award-nominated director Arthur Dong....
(2008)
Community Honors
- James Wong HoweJames Wong HoweJames Wong Howe, A.S.C. was a Chinese American cinematographer who worked on over 130 films...
Award (The Jimmy) from the Association of Asian Pacific American Artists - Steve Tatsukawa Award from Visual CommunicationsVisual Communications (VC)Visual Communications – also known as VC – is a community-based non-profit media arts organization in Los Angeles, dedicated to creating, preserving and presenting Asian Pacific American history and culture through the media arts...
- Asian American Media Award from Asian CineVision
- Historian Award from the Chinese Historical Society of AmericaChinese Historical Society of AmericaThe Chinese Historical Society of America is the oldest and largest archive and history center documenting the Chinese American experience in the United States...
- GLAAD Media AwardsGLAAD Media AwardsThe GLAAD Media Award is an accolade bestowed by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to recognize and honor various branches of the media for their outstanding representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives...
(two consecutive plus third nomination) - San Francisco Foundation James D. PhelanJames D. PhelanJames Duval Phelan was an American politician, civic leader and banker.-Early years:Phelan was born in San Francisco, the son of an Irish immigrant who became wealthy during the California Gold Rush as a trader, merchant and banker. He graduated from St...
Award in Filmmaking - Paul MonettePaul MonettePaul Landry Monette was an American author, poet, and activist best remembered for his essays about gay relationships.-Biography:...
Award - OUT 100 Award from Out Magazine
- Historymakers Award, Chinese American MuseumChinese American MuseumThe Chinese American Museum is a museum located in Downtown Los Angeles as a part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. It is dedicated to the history and experience of Chinese Americans in the state of California, first such museum in Southern California...
.