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Documentary Features

Documentary storytelling allows us to better connect to each other; a relational bridge built on shared lived experiences. This year’s lineup introduces us to an Ioway and Wampanoag, African American and Cape Verdean, femme lesbian; travels us to discover the Shaka hand sign’s origin, meanings and why it’s the secret to paradise; and takes us to Taiwan, Philippines and beyond. Join us in a cinematic learning experience to better understand each other so that we can navigate life together.

Documentary Features

ABOVE AND BELOW THE GROUND

Film ABOVE AND BELOW THE GROUND Directed by Emily Hong In Myanmar’s first and only country-wide environmental movement, Indigenous punk rock pastors and women activists protect a sacred…
Democracy Series, Documentary Features

ADMISSIONS GRANTED

Film ADMISSIONS GRANTED Directed by Hao Wu, Miao Wang In a landmark Supreme Court case pitting Asian American plaintiffs against Harvard University, activists on both sides wrestle…
Democracy Series, Documentary Features

AND SO IT BEGINS

Film AND SO IT BEGINS Directed by Ramona S. Diaz Amidst the traditional pomp and circumstance of Filipino elections, a quirky people’s movement rises to defend the nation…
Documentary Features

ASHIMA

Film ASHIMA Directed by Kenji Tsukamoto A year in the life of 13-year-old elite rock climber Ashima Shiraishi as she balances fame, career, and…
Democracy Series, Documentary Features

BREAKING THE CYCLE

Film BREAKING THE CYCLE Directed by Aekaphong Saransate, Thanakrit Duangmaneeporn Breaking The Cycle captures the political awakening among Thais after the rise and fall of Thanathorn, a young…
Democracy Series, Documentary Features

DISSIDENTS

Film DISSIDENTS Directed by Yi Chen An artist's sculpture is burnt down, a protester is charged with a criminal case, and a democracy movement…
Documentary Features

HEAVEN RAIN FLOWS SWEETLY

Film HEAVEN RAIN FLOWS SWEETLY Directed by Shasha Li After wildfires force her to leave her home in Oregon, filmmaker Shasha reconnects with the rituals and the…
Documentary Features

HOME COURT

Film HOME COURT Directed by Erica Tanamachi Home Court traces the ascent of Ashley Chea, a Cambodian American basketball prodigy whose life intensifies amid recruitment, injury,…
Documentary Features

HOW TO SUE THE KLAN

Film HOW TO SUE THE KLAN Directed by John Beder The story of how five Black women from Chattanooga used legal ingenuity to take on the Ku Klux…
Democracy Series, Documentary Features

INVISIBLE NATION

Film INVISIBLE NATION Directed by Vanessa Hope In this urgently timely and insightful portrait of Taiwanese politics, director Vanessa Hope, with unprecedented access to Taiwan’s…
Documentary Features

JEWELLE: A JUST VISION

Film JEWELLE: A JUST VISION Directed by Madeleine Lim From Black Power in late-60s Boston, to AIDS activism in mid-80s New York, to Marriage Equality in early-10s…
Documentary Features

LEADING

Film LEADING Directed by Grace Lee LEADING follows two budding activists: Audre (10), who fights against Asian hate by creating a teach-in presentation at…
Documentary Features

NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT

Film NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT Directed by Quyên Nguyen-Le, Tadashi Nakamura NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT is a sweeping documentary that follows the life of visionary artist-activist Nobuko…
Documentary Features

NOWHERE NEAR

Film NOWHERE NEAR Directed by Miko Revereza A poetic memoir through the lens of a stateless person returning to an estranged homeland.
Documentary Features

NUSA INA

Film NUSA INA Directed by Anne Jan Sijbrandij More than 60 years after their refuge to the Netherlands, Loey Tamaëla and his family are still hoping…
Documentary Features, Special Presentations

ONE FIGHTING IRISHMAN

Film ONE FIGHTING IRISHMAN Directed by Evan Kodani, Sharon Yamato ONE FIGHTING IRISHMAN tells the little-known story of San Francisco attorney Wayne M. Collins whose passionate and uncompromising…
Documentary Features, Pacific Cinewaves

SHAKA, A STORY OF ALOHA

Film SHAKA, A STORY OF ALOHA Directed by Alexander Bocchieri Embark on a global quest that reveals the enchanting power of the Shaka gesture and why itʻs the…
Documentary Features

TEN TIMES BETTER

Film TEN TIMES BETTER Directed by Jennifer Lin Prodded by his refugee mother to be “ten times better” in white America, George Lee is an 89-year-old…
Documentary Features

THE GARDENER

Film THE GARDENER Directed by Derek Shimoda A whimsical immigrant forges a deep-rooted bond with nature when life gives him a bitter one.
Documentary Features

WE CARE

Film WE CARE Directed by Risa Morimoto We Care features four Asian American families – The Shahanes in Cedar Park TX, the Herrs in Los…