Accomando: A Diverse Career in Film Criticism and Arts
From the editing room to the critic's chair, Accomando has established a multifaceted presence in the arts and media landscape. With a career spanning several decades, she has contributed significantly to the San Diego cultural scene through film criticism, curation, and podcasting, bridging the gap between mainstream cinema and international art house films.
Key Facts
- Emmy Winner: Received a Pacific Southwest regional Emmy Award in June 2025 for the video podcast Stripper Energy: Fighting Back From the Fringe s.
- Criticism: Serves as a theatre and film critic for KPBS.
- Podcasting: Host of the Cinema Junkie podcast.
- Specialization: Recognized for her expertise and promotion of international Asian cinema.
- Artistic Roots: Featured as an emerging artist at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art in 1985.
Professional Journey in Film and Media
Accomando's early career was marked by a variety of roles in production and exhibition. In the early 1990s, she served as the film editor for Killer Tomatoes Strike Back and Killer Tomatoes Eat France. Her experience in broadcasting began as early as 1992 with XETV-TDT, and by 1998, she was introducing the classic film Rashomon at Landmark's Ken Cinema.
As a critic for KPBS, she has provided analysis on a wide range of films, including Sucker Punch, The Fall, The Brave One, and Knocked Up. Her deep understanding of cinematic influence is evident in her analysis of how George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead shaped Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead.
Beyond writing, Accomando has embraced digital media. She runs the Cinema Junkie podcast and organized the Film Geeks late-night screenings at Digital Gym Cinema in 2014.
Curation and International Influence
Accomando has played a pivotal role in introducing diverse cinematic voices to the public. In 2000, she curated a San Diego event featuring the premieres of several films, including Butterfly and Sword, Eastern Condors, Holy Weapon, The Magic Crystal, Pedicab Driver, and Shanghai Blues.
Her commitment to Asian cinema is well-documented. She contributed to National Public Radio and assisted in organizing an Asian festival at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Her influence in this field was highlighted in a 2007 interview by Lee Ann Kim, who credited Accomando with introducing her to international Asian film. This expertise is further supported by her interviews with industry icons such as Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat, John Woo, and Stanley Tong.
Judging, Panels, and Public Appearances
Throughout her career, Accomando has been a frequent guest and judge at prestigious festivals and conventions. She served as a judge for the San Diego International Fringe Festival's play Killing Buddha in 2016 and the Horrible Imaginings Film Festival in 2017.
She has also shared her insights on various panels, including the Storytelling in Film panel at San Diego Comic Con in 2021 alongside Jonathan Hammond, Neal Hallford, and Michael Lewis Foster. Additionally, she appeared as a panelist at UCSD's Up & Coming Film Festival in 2008 with Ham Tran, in 2009 with Ligiah Villalobos, and in 2011 with Arthur Ollman.
Her presence in the community continued with her hosting of Flicks on the Bricks at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in 2018, 2022, and 2023.
Career Summary Table
| Period/Year | Role/Achievement | Organization/Project |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Featured Emerging Artist | La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art |
| Early 1990s | Film Editor | Killer Tomatoes series |
| 2000 | Curator | San Diego Film Premieres |
| 2014 | Organizer | Film Geeks (Digital Gym Cinema) |
| 2016-2017 | Judge | SD International Fringe / Horrible Imaginings |
| 2021 | Panelist | San Diego Comic Con |
| 2025 | Emmy Award Winner | Stripper Energy: Fighting Back From the Fringe s |
Frequently Asked Questions
What award did Accomando win in 2025?
Accomando won a Pacific Southwest regional Emmy Award for the video podcast titled Stripper Energy: Fighting Back From the Fringe s.
Which films has Accomando reviewed for KPBS?
She has reviewed several films, including Sucker Punch, The Fall, The Brave One, and Knocked Up.
How has Accomando contributed to the promotion of Asian cinema?
She curated premieres for multiple Asian films, helped organize an Asian festival at UC San Diego, wrote for National Public Radio, and has interviewed prominent figures like Jackie Chan and John Woo.
What is the name of Accomando's podcast?
Accomando runs a podcast called Cinema Junkie.
In what other artistic fields has Accomando worked besides criticism?
Accomando has worked as a film editor, a visual artist (featured in a 1985 exhibition), and a curator of film events.