The 47th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), known as the “First Home of Asian American Cinema,” will take place August 1-11 in NYC. Organized by Asian CineVision, AAIFF is the first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience.
This year’s festival centers around the themes of memory and reconnection, with three spotlight selections that highlight women’s stories from all around the world:
- Opening Night (8/1; Asia Society) – East Coast premiere of Tadashi Nakamura and Quyên Nguyen-Le’s film, NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT
- Centerpiece (8/4; Regal Union Square) – So Young Shelly Yo’s feature directorial debut, SMOKING TIGERS
- Closing Night (8/11; Regal Union Square) – Fawzia Mirza’s feature directorial debut, THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS
The full festival program includes 80+ features and shorts focused on recognizing our roots and celebrating the strength of sensitivity, tenderness, and community care. To purchase tickets and view the full lineup, visit https://www.aaiff.org.
To receive a discount of 20%, use the code AAIFF47_SULO at checkout.
Philippine Films at AAIFF
Inay (Mama) Documentary
2024 | 56 m | Canada, Philippines | Directed by Thea Loo
A filmmaker’s quest to heal lingering wounds caused by immigration to Canada, reveals the toll of separation on Filipino children and their mothers.
[Content warning: Self-harm/Suicide]
Date: Sunday, August 4 | 2:15 pm to 3:43 pm
Venue: Regal Union Square – Auditorium 15
Tickets: In-person | VOD
im in love with edgar allan poe (part of “Joke Book” Shorts Block)
2024 | 13 m | Korea, USA, UK, China, Taiwan, Philippines | Written and Directed by Andrea A. Walter
An animated ode to vibrators, two goth girls resurrecting Edgar Allan Poe, and an ambitious violin prodigy walk into a bar. The bartender asks, “What are ya, a bunch of shorts?”
This screening will be followed by a filmmaker Q&A.
Date: Saturday, August 3 | 4:15 pm – 6:10 pm
Venue: Regal Union Square – Auditorium 14
Tickets: In-person | VOD
VS (part of “Coloring Out of the Lines” Shorts Block)
2023 | 12 m | USA, Philippines | Directed by Jole Sanchez
Set in 1992, a Filipino kid working at his father’s liquor store seeks community through the arcade game Street Fighter II, but finds himself clashing with a local bully.
Date: Friday, August 2 | 6:00 pm – 7:54 pm
Venue: Regal Union Square – Auditorium 14
Tickets: In-person | VOD
Lola (part of “Choose Your Fighter” Shorts Block)
2024 | 11 m | USA, Philippines | Directed by Grace Hanna
A thirteen-year-old science prodigy journeys into her grandma’s deteriorating mind to save one precious memory they have together.
Date: Friday, August 9 | 6:00 pm – 7:33 pm
Venue: Regal Union Square – Auditorium 14
Tickets: In-person | VOD