SAN FRANCISCO (January 15, 2009) - The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) is pleased to announce a special community screening of Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter Street, San Francisco. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Recently announced winner of the 2009 Gold Kahuna Award for excellence in filmmaking at the upcoming Honolulu International Film Festival, Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story tells the little known story of the first person of color ever to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The JCCCNC is please to present this second screening for those who were unable to attend the sold-out presentation in September 2008.

New York based award-winning filmmakers and JCCCNC friends Christine Toy Johnson and Bruce Johnson, Directors of Transcending, will co-present this screening followed by a brief question and answer session. Admission is free and open to the public, but donations are being accepted. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP (seats are limited) to the JCCCNC (415) 567-5505 by February 9.

About Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story

TRANSCENDING: THE WAT MISAKA STORY is a documentary film about Wat Misaka, the first Asian American pro basketball player. A Nisei who was born, raised and is still living in Utah, he was the first round draft pick of the New York Knicks, in 1947. During a time while over 120,000 Japanese Americans were interned behind barbwire during World War II. Wat overcame the national political climate of the time.

Wat was a star player for the University of Utah leading them to two national championships, a NCAA title in 1944 and a NIT championship in 1947, while taking two years off in between to serve in the U.S. Army. His perseverance and loyalty to his teammates, other Nisei friends (including those interned at Topaz) and his family are a testament to the unflappable Japanese American spirit.

This film includes in depth interviews with Wat and his family, teammates from his championship teams, sports authorities, Bay area natives Daisy Satoda and Marice Shiozaki, Paul Osaki, and many who continue to look up to him as both a role model and personal hero. The film also has video clips from his 1944 and 1947 college games, rare footage from a visit to the Topaz Internment Camp, and countless photos of his triumphant career. This project was awarded two consecutive grants from the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program.

About the JCCCNC

Envisioned by the Japanese American community, the JCCCNC will be an everlasting foundation of our Japanese American ancestry, cultural heritage, histories and traditions. The JCCCNC strives to meet the evolving needs of the Japanese American community through programs, affordable services and administrative support and facilities for other local service organizations. The JCCCNC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community center based in San Francisco.