The screening of “The Builders of the Silicon Dreams”
On May 28th, documentary film “The Builders of Silicon Dreams” screened in Cupertino. The screening was followed by Civic Leadership Forum Silicon Valley with the topic “Telling Asian American stories to the mainstream”.
The documentary film tells the story of the immigrants who have made significant contributions to the growth and success of Silicon Valley. The film examines the foundation of the American spirit by looking into Silicon Valley, where many immigrants have become successful entrepreneurs. It highlights the stories of immigrants who have started businesses, joined the tech workforce, and brought diverse perspectives and experiences to the region.
The film delves into the history of Silicon Valley, from the early Chinese immigrants who came to California during the Gold Rush and the building of railroads to the Immigration Act of 1964, which led to a new wave of highly educated overseas students studying in the US. It features interviews with successful Asian American entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley from a variety of backgrounds who have made their mark on the tech industry, including founders of successful startups and engineers who have contributed to groundbreaking technologies. Their story of achieving their American dream by overcoming traditional traits and odds to become thriving leaders of their corporations will inspire generations to come, and it’s what makes Silicon Valley unique.
The film includes interviews with notable Asian American entrepreneurs, scholars, and leaders in Silicon Valley, including Kenneth Fong, Tai-Li Hsu, Hsing Kung, and the family of David Tsang, Rose Tseng, Annabell Saxenian, Chenming Hu, Evan Low, etc.
“Builders of the Silicon Dream” is a must-see film for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, and the immigrant experience. It provides a unique perspective on what makes Silicon Valley a special place for entrepreneurs and how Asian Americans have contributed to its success.
“The film aims to break the stereotype that Asians can’t be leaders. It is a social issue profoundly affecting Asian Americans’ leadership visibility in America. “Diana Ding, the film’s producer, said, “Through their stories, we hope to inspire future generations of Asian Americans to pursue their dreams and become leaders in their own right.”
Film’s director Tony Shyu added, “This film is a powerful testament to the vital role that immigrants have played in the success of Silicon Valley. I believe this film will shed light on the unique experiences and challenges faced by Asian American entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley”.
The film concludes with the cultural diversity of Silicon Valley and how it has helped to foster creativity and innovation by exploring the unique perspectives and experiences that immigrants bring to the region and how they have helped to shape the tech industry and the American Dream. It has also sparked important discussions about immigration policy and how immigrants can help to drive economic growth and innovation.
The film has been praised for its insightful look at the immigrant contribution to Silicon Valley. Like PBS Plus program director Michael Tang, “The film has lots of heart.”
Railroads to Silicon Valley is the first film of a Docu-series aiming to be commissioned by major U.S. networks and streaming channels. For more information about the series, go to the official website.
About the filmmaker:
Tony Shyu, the director and producer of the film – His previous documentary about Anti-Asian sentiment caused by COVID-19, “The Race Epidemic,” won numerous Best Documentary feature film awards and will release nationwide on PBS Sept 1.