Asian American Showcase Film Festival

28th Annual Asian American Showcase

Celebrating its 28th year, the Asian American Showcase (AAS) provides a platform for new work by established and emerging Asian American filmmakers.

Schedule Of Events:

6:00 PM - New Wave

Directed by Elizabeth Ai
[In-Person for Q&A!]

Filmmaker Elizabeth Ai embarks on a journey to capture the vibrant spirit of a musical phenomenon that electrified Vietnamese American teens in the 1980s: New Wave. What begins as an exploration of the rebellion and freedom within this subculture evolves into a profound narrative of identity, loss, and healing. In Orange County, California, the synth beats and punk/goth aesthetics provided a sanctuary for a generation of youth grappling with the weight of their parents' unspoken traumas.

As Elizabeth delves into the lives of her family members and icons of the New Wave scene, she discovers that beneath the surface lies a complex tapestry of broken dreams and unfulfilled expectations. These were not just fleeting moments of teenage rebellion but acts of defiance against the lingering shadows of the Vietnam War and the sacrifices made by a generation trying to rebuild.

The film juxtaposes the memories of her uncles and aunts—sneaking out to underground clubs—with Elizabeth's own childhood, marked by her mother's abandonment. What starts as a celebration of a cultural movement transforms into a cathartic journey. As the filmmaker unravels long-buried emotions and confronts the generational wounds that have shaped her community, the film becomes a powerful exploration of cultural identity, resilience, and new beginnings.

8:30 PM - Roadblocks: AAPI Shorts

Stories of Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians in different stages of life, navigating the personal and political roadblocks thrown in their path. [With Select Filmmakers In-Person for Post Film Q&A!]

2024  -  Narrative  -  USA, Canada  -  109 min  -  English, Mandarin, Indonesian and Farsi with English Subtitles  -  Digital

One Note
Directed & Written by Jamie Ting

Daly City
Directed & Written by Nick Hartanto

My Son Went Quiet
Directed & Written by Ian Bawa

The Truck
Directed & Written by Elizabeth Rao

Bita Joon
Directed & Written by Sara Boutorabi

Jin
Directed & Written by Charlotte Huang

The Queen’s Flowers
Directed & Written by Ciara Leina’ala Lacy
Animation Direction by Daniel Souza

Kumar Kumar
Directed by Kiran Koshy

Ticket Information
General Admission: $13
Students: $8
Youth (under 17): $8
Gene Siskel Film Center Members: $6.50
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Current students and faculty of the School of the Art Institute, and staff of the Art Institute: $5

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