Being Asian American in Hollywood isn't easy. Just ask director Justin Lin.

Lin, known for “Better Luck Tomorrow,” "Annapolis, "and “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” placed a huge emphasis on the struggles of race in the movie industry during a Q & A forum at SF State on Oct. 18.

“[Being an Asian American in the movie industry] is a constant battle that never ends. Movie companies don’t want to change their style,” said Lin, who was offered funding for "Better Luck Tomorrow" just as long as all of the characters were Caucasian, African American, Latinos or what the movie industry considered a "higher market value audience."

Lin declined the investor's offer, but has since realized the challenges in an industry overflowing with standards.

“There’s no level playing field,” Lin said. “You push and grow so you can take care of everyone the right way.”"

The forum, entitled "An Evening with Justin Lin and Friends" took place in the Creative Arts building's Knuth Hall as part of Lin's West Coast premiere of “Finishing the Game,” a mockumentary about the 1978 Bruce Lee epic "Game of Death," which was in the process of being filmed when Lee suddenly died from a cerebral edema. Lin along with the film's actors--Sung Kang, Dustin Nguyen, and Roger Fan spoke--spoke to SF State students about their roles in the movie and the changing industry.

“I get the opportunity to work with someone I respect and admire,” said Nguyen, who plays an out-of-work actor in the film. “I believe in the script. It’s entertaining, and has an important message to the audience. Most of the time, that’s not the case.”

Another actor, Roger Fan, who starred opposite James Franco and Tyrese Gibson in “Annapolis,” agreed with Lin about the homogeneous image that Hollywood promotes.

“I want to see role models on film,” Fan said. “Being Asian American, Hollywood won’t manufacture that image.”

This group of men, with the help of many others, hope to reverse the fact that there isn’t much positive representation of the Asian American community in the film industry.

“In mainstream, you’re alone on set,” Fan said. “It’s amazing to walk on this set and be able to sit and come together as a group and a family.”

Often, the role cast for Asian Americans is very typical, like delivery boys, masseuses, geeky guys, or master martial artists.

“Throughout my career, the biggest challenge is finding a challenging role,” Nguyen said. “A non-stereotypical role; It’s not there because I’m Asian.”

Lin said that “Finishing the Game,” which will debut on October 19 at the Bridge Theater in San Francisco, and Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, has many meanings as to what game is being finished.

“It’s a movie about dealing with denial,” Lin said. “I had the idea since I was 10 years old. I was confused. I found out the back-story and philosophy and that it was exploited.”

With the popularity of Lin's films rising in the last five years, Lin has garnered high demand for his work and hopes it will give him a platform to change the Hollywood's perception of reality and present more positive images of the Asian American community.

“We’re just getting started,” Lin said. “It’s great to be around good, talented people," said Lin. "Communities demand to be served."