How the ‘friend card’ started ‘Asian Persuasion’ on path to awards

This story is published in partnership with SoJannelleTV, a magazine show about Filipinos in North America

Before Asian Persuasion would become a hit on the film festival circuit, writer Mike Ang had some persuading of his own to do.

The Filipino-American entrepreneur had written a screenplay while he was at home during the height of the pandemic, but needed to get it into the hands of a professional who could bring his vision to light. That’s when he pulled the “friend card” with Jhett Tolentino...