OUR MISSION

Asian Comedy Fest (ACF) is the largest and longest running NYC-based international comedy fest dedicated to elevating diverse voices within the Asian and Pacific Islander community. Our mission is threefold:

• bring much needed attention to the comedy scene that is bursting at the seams with new and exciting Asian and Pacific Islander talent

• partner with and support Asian-owned small businesses, highlighting the next generation of entrepreneurs and trailblazers of our community

• and give back to our community, partnering with a charitable non-profit with a focus on AAPI issues to receive proceeds from festival.

The inaugural ACF in 2020 featured a wide array of comedic acts including superstar and AAPI icon Ronny Chieng. Since then, our shows have featured over 100 rising and notable names in comedy within the Asian/Pacific Islander diaspora, partnered with numerous Asian-owned small businesses and restaurants, and raised over $22,500 USD for local AAPI charities. Helmed by Ed Yoo Pokropski, Kate Lee Moran, and Yao King, each year ACF promises to continue raising the bar.

Follow us @asiancomedyfest on Instagram for more updates!

MEET THE TEAM

Edward Yoo Pokropski, Executive Producer, Creative

Ed is a two-time Emmy nominated Senior Writer/Producer for Cable Entertainment Brand Creative at NBCUniversal. Ed has been touring his critically acclaimed one-man show, Case 84: Adopted in the U.S.A., across the country. Ed is originally from Philly, and proud to be a Korean American adoptee.

Kate Lee Moran, Executive Producer, Marketing

Kate is a Korean American producer, director, writer, and comedian with over 15 years experience working in production, casting, comedy and more. She currently works full time as the Head of Content Development, Creative Partnerships for Yahoo News. Kate was the founder and co-producer of The Revolution comedy show, the highly acclaimed monthly stand-up show and podcast highlighting top women, nonbinary, and genderqueer comedians in NYC for over 3 years, as well as the co-founder and VP for the Nasty Women Unite Fest, a multi-arts non-profit arts festival that raised funds for the ACLU that showcased women, nonbinary and genderqueer artists of all mediums. She is also the producer and co-host of The Witchcast Podcast, combining comedy and witchy culture, currently in its 7th season. She’s also trying to make her two dogs famous. See more at www.kmoproductions.com.

Yao King, Executive Producer, Partnerships

Yao King is Founder and Chief Investment Officer of YKAM, a multi-strategy hedge fund based in New York City. He was most recently Global Head of Program Trading, Americas Head of PT, ETFs, and CRB Trading, and Managing Director at Deutsche Bank where he oversaw one of the firm’s largest businesses and a multi-billion dollar global book of risk. Yao studied Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was awarded the Karl Taylor Compton Prize, the highest award presented by the Institute in recognition of excellent achievements in citizenship and devotion to the welfare of the MIT community. Yao’s philanthropic interests extend from supporting the arts to the underprivileged to social issues and representation. He built and led the #GoldOpen movement on the East Coast, a non-profit venture of Gold House that supports diversity in media both in front of and behind the camera. He also trained at the French Culinary Institute, and enjoys cooking and managing his small farm using sustainable, regenerative agricultural practices. Recent recognitions include being named A100 Most Impactful AAPIs in Culture (Gold House, 2020), Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business (Asian American Business Development Center, 2022), Committee of 100 Next Generation Leaders (C100, 2022), and inaugural member of Friends of the CFDA (CFDA, 2024).

Emily Chen, Associate Producer

Emily is a Korean-American adoptee with a Chinese last name. Raised in Nebraska with a love of pop culture, boy bands & Broadway, she is excited to be a part of the Fest. Thankful for this chance to bring the Asian diaspora together to support each other through community building. She has years of professional experience in retail operations & management, event planning, and is a full-time K-Pop Multi. 화이팅! 

Teddy Hahn, Design

Teddy Hahn is an Artist & Designer currently producing live graphics for MSNBC Primetime, NBC News NOW & Peacock. He has previously worked for ABC Daytime's The View, Nickelodeon Off-Air and for Batman. When he's not putting out fires for news or lost in a galaxy far far away, he revives his mana along the duel currents of the Hudson River by belting the soundtrack of Moana at the top of his lungs.

Nancy Lu, Fancy PR, Public Relations

Nancy Lu (Fancy PR) is a first-generation Chinese-American and an NYC-based entertainment and arts communications specialist who has built her career in the music industry helping break artists including The Beaches, Saucy Santana, SOFI TUKKER, MUNA, and more. She's driven by storytelling, exploring the intersection of identity and the arts, and championing underrepresented voices in media.For all media inquiries, contact Nancy at nl@fancypr.com.