‘Past Lives’ Leads 2024 Gold List
Though these don't always turn into award show wins, we're celebrating the AA+PI and API excellence on this impressive list
Greta Lee in "Past Lives"
A24
Words by Daniel Anderson
Gold House and CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) have unveiled their fourth annual Gold List, spotlighting outstanding AA+PI and API films in the last year. The list is curated through the collaborative efforts of the Gold Open Advisory Council, Gold House members, the CAPE board and its advisors, along with influential figures from the entertainment industry.
“The Gold List was created to ensure awards seasons and mainstream society are up to date on the most worthy creative work – particularly work from communities that have been historically overlooked or excluded. Every visible success leads to numerous unseen doors that are opened for new creative development, production and distribution opportunities for these communities,” said Jeremy Tran, COO of Gold House In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. To our credit, some of the titles on the Gold List made our own list of best films in 2023. We even tell you where you can watch them.
Celine Song’s love story Past Lives tops the Gold List with four selections: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Performance in a Leading Role (Greta Lee) and Best Original Screenplay (Song). Charles Melton of Netflix’s May December was selected for Best Supporting Role. Meanwhile, Stephanie Hsu, Sabrina Wu, and Sherry Cola all received honorable mentions in that category for their work on Adele Lim’s raunchy comedy Joy Ride.
This year’s list also showcased a record number of honors for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander features, such as Lindsay Watson for Best Breakout Performance in The Wind & the Reckoning. Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 4, Taika Watiti for Next Goal Wins, and Stan Walker for his original song “I Am,” all received honorable mentions.
Not every performer or title will go on to win awards this year—we’re still getting over the SAG nomination snubs for Melton, Song and Lee. However, lists like these are a reminder that API and AA+PI films are excellent and deserving. As of now, over 10 Gold List entries have received Oscar nominations or wins in the last three years.
Check out the full list here down below. Titles with past JoySauce coverage are highlighted.
Best Picture: Past Lives
Honorable Mentions: Monster, Perfect Days
Best Director: Celine Song (Past Lives)
Honorable Mentions: Hayao Miyazaki (The Boy and the Heron), Tran Anh Hung (The Taste of Things)
Best Performance in a Leading Role: Greta Lee (Past Lives)
Honorable Mentions: Ashley Park (Joy Ride), Keanu Reeves (John Wick: Chapter 4), Koji Yakusho (Perfect Days), Sakura Ando (Monster), Teo Yoo (Past Lives)
Best Performance in a Supporting Role: Charles Melton (May December)
Honorable Mentions: Riz Ahmed (Fingernails), Sabrina Wu (Joy Ride), Sherry Cola (Joy Ride), Simu Liu (Barbie), Stephanie Hsu (Joy Ride)
Best Original Screenplay: Celine Song (Past Lives)
Honorable Mentions: Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao (Joy Ride), Hayao Miyazaki (The Boy and the Heron)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Dave Callaham, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)
Honorable Mentions: Adrian Tomine (Shortcomings), Taika Waititi and Iain Morris (Next Goal Wins)
Best Animated Feature: The Boy and the Heron
Best Documentary Feature: To Kill a Tiger
Honorable Mentions: a.k.a. Mr Chow, Liquor Store Dreams
Best Original Song: Olivia Rodrigo – “Can’t Catch Me Now” (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)
Honorable Mentions: Stan Walker – “I Am” (Origin); Bowen Yang, Aaron Jackson, Josh Sharp, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally – “All Love is Love” (Dicks: The Musical)
Best Animated Short: War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko
Honorable Mentions: Our Uniform and The Old Young Crow
Best Documentary Short: Between Earth and Sky
Honorable Mentions: Island in Between and Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó
Best Live Action Short: Yellow
Honorable Mentions: Closing Dynasty, Eid Mubarak, Take Me Home
Breakout Performance: Lindsay Watson (The Wind & The Reckoning)
Breakout Independent Film: Polite Society
Published on January 10, 2024
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.