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How to Fest

Your health and safety is our top priority, and we are committed to the well-being of our artists, audiences, and allies. In keeping with guidance from our local, state, and federal health agencies, masks are required to be worn indoors in Los Angeles, even for fully vaccinated individuals. To be allowed access to our events, we ask that you please provide proof of either, (a) confirmation that you have been fully vaccinated (two weeks from a single dose vaccine, or two weeks from the second dose of a two dose vaccine); or (b) a negative PCR test for COVID-19 (taken within 72 hours of the event), including for children below the age of 12 years. We will not store your vaccination information upon checking. Tests will not be provided at the event. If you are attending multiple events during Festival Week, a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours will be required prior to every event, not just the first event you attend. If you were vaccinated in CA, downloading Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Records provided by the state are highly recommended for faster check-ins. Please download your record from https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov

Please click here for our LAAPFF Community Agreements.

Note: ALL WORKS PRESENTED IN THE FESTIVAL ARE UNRATED AND VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled program to go through safety protocols. Seating cannot be guaranteed for ticket holders who arrive after the program begins. All programs are subject to change and/or cancellation without prior notice.

Please see below for our FAQ on how you can experience the Festival. We plan to add more information to this page, so check back for more updates!

BASICS

WHEN AND HOW IS THE 2021 LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL TAKING PLACE?
The 37th annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival runs from September 23 – October 2, 2021 as a hybrid event, taking place virtually and in person at select cinemas in the Los Angeles area. Our in-person venues include the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, the Tateuchi Democracy Forum at the Japanese American National Museum, and Regal L.A. LIVE: A Barco Innovation Center. Click here for venue and parking information.

ARE THERE ANY FILMS THAT I CAN WATCH ONLINE?
All film screenings will take place in person at our partner venues in Los Angeles. Our online events will consist of panel discussions that will be released on our Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube channels. Please stay tuned for a finalized schedule of these events.

ARE THERE ANY FREE PROGRAMS?
Yes! We have several Free/Pay What You Can film programs available on a first come, first-served basis. Click here to see the list.

WHAT ARE YOUR COVID PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES?
Your health and safety is our top priority, and we are committed to the well-being of our artists, audiences, and allies. In keeping with guidance from our local, state, and federal health agencies, masks are required to be worn indoors in Los Angeles, even for fully vaccinated individuals. To be allowed access to our events, we ask that you please provide proof of either, (a) confirmation that you have been fully vaccinated (two weeks from a single dose vaccine, or two weeks from the second dose of a two dose vaccine); or (b) a negative PCR test for COVID-19 (taken within 72 hours of the event), including for children below the age of 12 years. We will not store your vaccination information upon checking. Tests will not be provided at the event. If you are attending multiple events during Festival Week, a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours will be required prior to every event, not just the first event you attend. If you were vaccinated in CA, downloading Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Records provided by the state are highly recommended for faster check-ins. Please download your record from https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov

ARE THERE ANY IN-PERSON PARTIES OR MIXERS?
If you’ve been to our Festival in the past, you know that we know how to party! Unfortunately, due to COVID concerns, we will not be hosting any parties or mixers this year. However, some of the filmmakers screening at the Festival might have their own unofficial events. We recommend keeping an eye out on social media for these events.

HOW DO I SPONSOR THE FILM FESTIVAL?
LAAPFF thrives on developing relationships with partners and allies who share our values. In solidarity with our partners, our collective movements not only promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, but also exhibit our anti-racist work to support storytellers who use the power of media to dismantle supremacist structures. Join us as we continue to move forward in uplifting and connecting our communities. Click here to download a Partnership Opportunities Deck, or contact our Impact Partnerships Manager, Shanon Serikaku, at shanon@vcmedia.org.

HOW DO I VOLUNTEER FOR THE FILM FESTIVAL?
Our LAAPFF volunteers are an indispensable part of the Festival. Their hard work, passion, and dedication are what make the Festival run smoothly and efficiently year after year. Due to COVID concerns, we are not recruiting volunteers for our Festival this year. If you are interested in future volunteer opportunities, please sign up for our email list at vcmedia.org.

Do you have more questions about the Festival that aren’t answered above? Please contact festival@vcmedia.org!

TICKETING

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR TICKETS (PRINTED OR DIGITAL) IN ORDER TO ENTER THE THEATRE.

Due to reduced capacity at our theatre venues, we have limited tickets for every screening, so we ask that you only reserve tickets if you plan to attend the screening. If you are no longer able to attend, please consider canceling your ticket so that we can release it for someone else to reserve.

HOW DO I PURCHASE A TICKET TO A PROGRAM?
Due to our safety protocols, tickets will only be available for purchase online, and will not be available for purchase in person. Service fees apply to all online orders. You can buy tickets by clicking the ORDER TICKETS button on our Festival program pages, once the button is available. After purchase, you will receive an email with your electronic ticket. Please make sure to have this available (PRINTED OR DIGITAL) when you arrive at a film screening.

HOW MUCH DO TICKETS COST?
Single tickets are $15. For film screenings at the Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, single tickets are $20.

WHEN CAN I BUY TICKETS?
General Public tickets are available for purchase beginning Monday, September 13, 2021 at 12pm PT.

WHAT TICKET PACKAGES OR PASSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?
Due to the reduced capacity of our theatres, we are unable to sell ticket packages or passes this year. We only have individual tickets available for purchase.

WILL THERE BE RUSH/STAND BY TICKETS FOR SOLD-OUT PROGRAMS?
Due to our safety protocols, we will not have rush/stand by tickets available for purchase in person. Tickets can only be purchased online. If you see a sold-out screening, we recommend checking the program page again, as we sometimes release more tickets when the screening date gets closer.

WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
All sales are final. No refunds will be given. Exchanges are only available when a program is cancelled.

I’M A VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS MEMBER. WILL I RECEIVE MY BENEFITS FOR THIS FESTIVAL?
Due to the reduced capacity of our theatres, we will not be offering member benefits this year. Visual Communications is working on implementing a new VC Membership structure, with revamped membership benefits and new ways to serve our communities both in person and virtually.

Do you have more questions about ticketing that aren’t answered above? Please contact tickets@vcmedia.org!