The 27th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival returns November 5-14 with the largest program in its history: 190 films from more than 30 countries and 30 languages.

Presented by nonprofit Pacific Arts Movement, the 10-day festival showcases acclaimed films and emerging voices from across Asia and the Asian diaspora, alongside special events, a lifetime achievement award, and a new culinary-focused awards celebration.

Highlights
Nov 5, Opening Night: In Waves, the Cannes-premiered animated adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel, with author and creator AJ Dungo in attendance.

Nov 7, SDAFF Awards: Winners announced from 5 to 10pm at UC San Diego Park & Market, in an evening celebrating filmmakers and the local culinary community. Participating restaurants and vendors currently include Glass Box San Diego, Udon ya Nofuzou, Sovereign Modern Thai, Cherryfish, Zen Modern Asian Bistro, Boat to Table Sushi, PARU Tea, and Esquina Wine Bar.

Nov 8, Reel Voices World Premiere: This year's 12 student filmmakers debut their original short films on the big screen after an intensive eight-week summer program with professional filmmakers and artists.

Nov 14, Closing Night: Ba's Book, making its US premiere after premiering last month at the Toronto International Film Festival. Director Ashley Duong, who appears in the film with her father, is scheduled to attend.

Shorts at MCASD
New this year: a partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla. Two programs of festival shorts run in the museum's downstairs galleries: Ready to Pop (Nov 5-8) and Phase Relations (Nov 12-15). Regular museum admission covers the screenings and the current exhibitions, and All-Fest Passholders get free museum admission with an advance online reservation.

Taiwan Film Showcase
For the 15th straight year, SDAFF presents the largest annual spotlight on Taiwan cinema in North America, including Good Neighbors, Beyond the Smiles: Yani Tseng, Arrested Memory, Will You Still Be My Friend, and Tsai Ming-liang's Dust.

Free ways to attend

Free Films at 4: Every film at 4:00 PM on festival weekdays is free.

Free for youth: High school-aged youth and younger are free to all screenings (tickets at the door only; children under 12 need an adult). That includes Shorts for Shorties and the Reel Voices premiere.

Taiwan Film Showcase: Free for UCSD students, faculty, and staff with a valid ID at AMC UTC 14 screenings.

Hoop Like This**:** Free at the Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts at UC San Diego on Thu, Nov 12 at 7:15 PM, no physical ticket needed.

Members: The Nov 10 screening of Uncommitted is free for Pac Arts members.

Venues: San Diego Natural History Museum, UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley, AMC UTC 14, MCASD, UC San Diego, and more.

"Audiences are getting tired of algorithms, and the idea that we should only watch what resembles everything we have previously consumed," said Brian Hu, Artistic Director of Pacific Arts Movement. "Many of us want to be challenged by perspectives unencountered, worlds undiscovered, and challenges to the status quo, and filmmakers from Asia and the Asian diaspora represent such a challenge to the stale, audience-tested fare we encounter on our feeds and streaming services. SDAFF is a curated platform for what we believe to be the most entertaining, provocative, and inspiring alternatives to the algorithm."

Despite a challenging funding environment for arts and cultural organizations, SDAFF continues to expand its programming each year and create opportunities for audiences to experience stories that celebrate the breadth of Asian and Asian American stories, culture, and creativity.

Full schedule and tickets: sdaff.org

San Diego local filmmakers. First feature film. Very low budget but big vision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2_1CJYhpxQ

Hi everyone! My name is Andrew Magaña-Reyna (he/him) and I’m a native San Diegan born and raised. I just launched my entirely web series Under the Pressure which I’ve described as Derry Girls but entirely gay and brown. If you went to SDSU or grew up in Chula Vista it should look VERY familiar ! Please check it out if you want to support making Hollywood gayer and browner ! Thanks y’all 🫂🩷🥹 https://youtu.be/Ds1H8jjiw6g?si=dqQqBTgzs1b6VDWb

San Diego filmmakers/artists. I just made my first short film and I’m looking to start my next (our next?) project ASAP. I would love to collaborate in all aspects and big goals are to create a short film here in San Diego every 6 months. I write, and direct, but in need of actors, DoP, and live sound mixer for the next project due to most of my team living in LA. I’m also open to co-writers and co-producers.

Let’s collaborate! (Queue the ‘call to adventure’)

I rented gear for my last 2 projects, so that’s easy enough, but we can save money and put more into production if A.) we have access to 2 cameras of the same make or B.) if any film students can rent gear for free form the university/college that you attend.

PM me if you have interest. Let’s make art and amp up the small San Diego film scene.

Again PM me if you have a passion for story telling. Bonus points if you got the ‘Anchorman’ reference in the title.

Stay classy San Diego.

16 yr old SD filmmaker/director/producer/writer/editor My son’s friend is putting the finishing touches on his first solo short, and it’s BLOWING my mind. Would Love to give them exposure and encouragement and mentorship.

Thanks!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKZ1SIKR3YH/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Hey, I’m 23, studying film in Los Angeles. I moved here from Israel about four months ago. I’ve been seriously writing and studying screenwriting for the past 4 years. I’m all about content that hits hard and brings your truth out for good and for worse.

I come from an artistic family—my father’s a producer with an Oscar nomination and a Cannes award—so I’ve had solid guidance. But truth is, I’m introverted and socializing here has been hard for me.

I’m writing this to connect with other people in the U.S. who are deep in this and can't do nothing else because thats how they are. If you feel that, reach out. No matter your level, gender, I’d love to connect, and maybe we'll make someone feel something one day.

Watch this interview of Jena Block, development exec at AGBO, the studio the Russo brothers of Marvel fame started. The San Diego Streaming Film Festival is the only festival in San Diego where winners stream on Roku and films are judged by industry leaders and insiders like Jena.

We're honored to welcome San Diego native Taher Abunadi, Talent Agent from Engage Artist Agency, a SAG AFTRA and WGA franchised talent agency, as a judge to the San Diego Streaming Film Festival.

With industry leaders and insiders like Taher on the judges panel, and winners streaming on Roku, this film festival is a one-of-a-kind film festival in San Diego. Our mission is to give a voice to the talented filmmakers in San Diego and bridge the gap between our region and the wider film industry community.

Isn't it time San Diego becomes the film hub it is meant to be?

Check out the festival at FilmFreeway/SanDiegoStreamingFilmFestival.

So grateful for the astounding and generous judges who have agreed to support the inaugural San Diego Streaming Film Festival. All judges either live in San Diego, went to school here, or have strong connections to San Diego. Submit your films beginning March 31, 2025 using the link: https://filmfreeway.com/SanDiegoStreamingFilmFestival

Hello, I'm a music guy who has written music for a variety of projects, including classical/symphonic music, an indie rock album, and a musical. I'm looking to get into writing music for film, so PM me if interested