It’s been a long 5 day celebration of our Sweet 16 so join us at The Golden Horn Bar for some bites from The Yellow Ranger as we announce our Jury & Audience Award-winning films! Open to all, however the bar is 21+ during late night hours.
The romantic reunion of Ben Santhanaraj and Suzanne Hopper is thwarted when Suzanne's boss asks her to work during their holiday road trip.
This movie takes place in Tokyo during the Olympics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Tired of rushing through life, young people gather at a small guesthouse in Tokyo, where they explore their own paths and grow through new relationships and experiences. The youthful ensemble drama is centered around the theme of "break" and depicts the modest growth of young people.
Searching for identity beyond the boxes of immigrant stereotypes and generational divides that plague diasporic Asian communities is a constant thread of this film block.
Our selection of four films that are longer than your average short, but just as impactful and brilliantly crafted as our feature-length films.
Home Court is a feature documentary that traces the ascent of Ashley Chea, a basketball prodigy whose life intensifies amid recruitment, injury, and triumph throughout her high school years. Filmed over three years, this is a coming-of-age story that relays the highs and lows of Ashley's immigrant family and her own personal trials including a devastating knee injury.
Kick off the last day of our Sweet 16 Film Fest with a Badgeholders only Boba Brunch at Happy Lemon Linc. Breakfast and boba drinks provided for badgeholders while supplies last.
After a stranger breaks in and sexually assaults her, Sumire suddenly overcomes her writer's block and starts writing again. The seemingly peaceful relationships around her begin to crumble—her boyfriend, vegetative father, step-mother… As she tries to cover the wound, everything slips toward uncertainty.
TEXAS PREMIERE followed by Q&A: Anh Duong's #InstaLife is lit, until a rogue follower starts dropping cryptic DMs darker than her eyeliner. As the truth threatens to explode, is this a toxic ex, a jealous celeb, or an obsessed superfan with their own twisted endgame? Buckle up, this ride ain't got a filter.
Our Saturday is PACKED! We know it’s hard to sneak away for a bite so join us in the AFS Lobby for some filling snacks. Priority is given to badgeholders and attendees between the screenings of INSIDE THE YELLOW COCOON SHELL & FANTI
After his sister-in-law dies in a freak motorcycle accident in Saigon, Thien is bestowed the task of delivering her body back to their countryside hometown. It is a journey in which he also takes his nephew Dao (5), who miraculously survived the crash. Amidst the mystical landscapes of rural Vietnam, Thien begins a search for his older brother who vanished years ago to hand Dao over to him - a journey which deeply questions his faith.
ASHIMA is an intimate portrait of elite rock climber Ashima Shiraishi as she travels to South Africa to try to become the youngest person in the world to climb a V14 graded boulder problem. Emotional and rooted in character, ASHIMA is a love letter not only to climbing, but to immigrant parents and the realization of the American Dream.
From devastation to the joys of triumph, this shorts program takes you on an eclectic ride of emotions through captivating stories that invite the audience to have a visceral experience.
Join us for our Sweet 16 Centerpiece party following our screening of BLUE SUNSHINE at St John Studios, our favorite hidden gem party venue behind 99 Ranch and next to Barretts Coffee. Bites curated by Good Jinn, an Austin pop-up with Bangladeshi roots, showcasing the breadth of South Asian Cuisine through a third culture lens. Refreshments, adult bevs, and treats provided.
TEXAS PREMIERE followed by Q&A: Aravind, a high school teacher, wants to transition from male to female while working for a school in a small town in South India.
Show up to take your photos at our official red carpet after our filmmakers arrive in style before our Centerpiece film BLUE SUNSHINE! Cowgirl attire highly recommended.
In Iran, a group of friends struggle with financial distress. They become obsessed with treasure hunting—which is strictly prohibited—and dream of finding a pot of gold. With the judge on their heels, will they succeed in accomplishing their dreams?
All Access badgeholders can mosey their way over to Donkey Mo's (Airport Blvd location) for a night hangout over Korean fried chicken, tasty bites, and drinks.
Seen through the eyes of a Korean American family that leaves the Bay Area for small-town Wyoming after experiencing devastating loss, A GREAT DIVIDE addresses the emotional and psychological impact of racism and xenophobia on Asian Americans, the loneliness and sacrifice of immigrant sojourners and the generational burden of expectations that weigh on their children. But it's also a story about a family repairing itself after tragedy, about a young man breaking out of his shell and finding love, about reconciliation and redemption.
The film tells the story of Wen Shan, who writes eulogy for a living, looking for answers in balancing his relationship with the world. In the encounter with ordinary people of all kinds, Wen Shan comforts others, gains warmth, and finally finds his own life direction.
Join us in the AFS Lobby after the Opening Night Film NEW WAVE (with short film MSG) for some food and beverages.
TEXAS PREMIERE followed by Q&A: Mile-high hair. Synthesized music. Underground parties. Elizabeth Ai was on a mission to excavate an untold story of rebellious punks in the chaotic world of 80s Vietnamese new wave until she rediscovered a hidden past.
