The final lineup of films for the 16th annual Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF) has been announced and can be found listed below, and on the AAAFF website here. The beloved festival returns to the AFS Cinema (located at 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752) this June 26 – 30, presenting films from a wide array of Asian Diasporic, Asian American, International and Texan filmmakers.

“Through 12 features and 19 short films, our audience will get to delve into intimate stories of relationships,” said AAAFF Executive Director Hanna Huang. “Our protagonists will encounter the personal growth (or not) that comes from finding inner strength and reconciling with their identities.” 

AAAFF will also host their annual Red Carpet Event ahead of this year’s centerpiece film, “Blue Sunshine” by Samyuktha Vijayan, on Friday, June 28 starting at 6:30 p.m. The carpet will feature several filmmakers, actors and members of the AAAFF team; more details to be announced soon. Interested media can RSVP here. 

Wednesday, June 26: OPENING NIGHT 

Welcome Remarks & Intro 6:40 – 7:00 p.m.

“MSG: Mysterious Savory Grains” by Kyle Finnegan, 7:00 – 7:13 p.m., Country of Origin: United States, Language: English

“New Wave” by Elizabeth Ai, 7:13 – 8:40 p.m., Country of Origin: United States, Language: English and Vietnamese with English subtitles., Accessibility: Closed Captioning in English avail for CC Reader Devices, Opening Night film; Q&A to follow with director Elizabeth Ai

Opening Night AFS Lobby Party, 9:15 – 11 p.m.

Thursday, June 27:

“All Ears” by Jiayin Liu, 4:55 – 6:55 p.m., Country of Origin: China, Language: Mandarin with English subtitles

“A Great Divide” by Jean Shim, 7:20 – 9:00 p.m., Country of Origin: United States, Language: English, Korean with English subtitles, Screening in collaboration with We All Belong Austin, powered by Austin Against Hate, Live Q&A to follow with Jean Shim & actress Miya Cech

Badgeholders Night Hang at Donkey Mo’s, 9:00 – 11:00 p.m., Address: 5312 Airport Blvd Austin, TX, 78751

Friday, June 28: 

“A Band of Dreamers and a Judge” by Hesam Eslami, 5:00 – 6:25 p.m., Country of Origin: Iran, Language: Persian with English subtitles

AAAFF Red Carpet Event, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

“Fish Boy” by Christopher Yip, 7:30 – 7:41 p.m., Country of Origin: Canada, Language: English, Cantonese with English subtitles

“Blue Sunshine” by Samyuktha Vijayan, 7:41 – 9:19 p.m., Country of Origin: India, Language: Tamil with English subtitles, Centerpiece Film, Q&A to follow with filmmaker Samyuktha Vijayan

Afterparty at St. Johns Studio, 9:30 – 11:30 p.m., Address: 705 W. St. Johns Ave Austin, TX 78752

Saturday, June 29:

The Emotional Spectrum Block: 11:00 a.m. – 12:38 p.m.

“The Steak” by Kiarash Dadagar Mohebi, Country of Origin: Iran, Language: Silent Film

“One Note” by Jamie Ting, Country of Origin: United States, Language: English and Mandarin with English subtitles

“Euphoria” by Hsiao-Tsun Chiu, Country of Origin: Taiwan, Language: Mandarin with English subtitles

“Stitched” by Lorena Lourenco, Country of Origin: United States, Language: English, Hindi, Tamil with English subtitles 

“The Smallest Power” by Andy Sarjahani, Country of Origin: Iran, Language: English, Persian with English subtitles

“Video Funeral” by Linh Tran, Country of Origin: United States, Language: English, Vietnamese with English subtitles

Live Q&A to follow with filmmakers in attendance

“Ashima” by Kenji Tsukamoto, 1:00 – 2:26 p.m, Country of Origin: United States, Languages: English and Japanese with English Subtitles., Live Q&A to follow with Kenji Tsukamoto

“Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell” by Thien An Pham, 3:00 – 5:59 p.m., Country of Origin: Vietnam, Language: Vietnamese, English with English subtitles, Live Q&A to follow with Thien An Pham

“Fanti” by Andy Nguyễn, 6:40 – 8:29 p.m., Country of Origin: Vietnam, Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles, Live Q&A to follow with Andy Nguyễn

“Something Blue” by Jinsui Song, 9:10 – 9:24 p.m., Country of Origin: United States, Language: English, Cantonese with English Subtitles, Content Consideration: Implied sexual assault

“Killing the Violet” by Yu Zhang, 9:24 – 10:44 p.m., Country of Origin: Japan, Language: Japanese with English Subtitles, Content Consideration: Explicit sexual assault and violence

Sunday, June 30:

Badgeholders Boba Brunch at Happy Lemon, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m., Address: 6406 N Interstate Hwy 35 suite 1301, Austin, TX 78752

“Home Court” by Erica Tanamachi, 11:30 a.m. – 1:05 p.m. Country of Origin: United States, Language: English, Live Q&A to follow with Erica Tanamachi

Not-so-short Shorts Block: 1:40 – 4:23 p.m.

“She Marches in Chinatown” by Della Chen, Country of Origin: United States, Language: English

“Al Niente” by Lo Lam, Country of Origin: Hong Kong, Language: English and Cantonese with English subtitles

“How To Get Your Man Pregnant” by Gyeongmu Noh, Country of Origin: South Korea, Language: Korean with English Subtitles

“Men in Blue” by Sachin Dheeraj Mudigonda, Country of Origin: United States, Language: English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu with English subtitles, Live Q&A to follow with filmmakers in attendance

Where I Belong Shorts Block: 4:45 – 6:23 p.m.

“Confused Blood” by James Cutler, Country of Origin: Australia, Language: English, Korean

“Hey Kiddo” by Melissa Kong, Country of Origin: United States, Language: English

“Thirstygirl” by Alexandra Qin, Country of Origin: United States, Language: English

“Southern Afternoon” by Tian Lan, Country of Origin: China, Language: Mandarin, Uyghur with English Subtitles 

“Makeover Movie” by Sue Ding, Country of Origin: United States, Language: English

“Wild Hogs and Saffron” by Andy Sarjahani, Country of Origin: United States, Languages: English, Content Consideration: Explicit animal butchering, Live Q&A to follow with filmmakers in attendance

“Push Pause” by Ryoma Kosasa, 6:51 – 8:17 p.m., Country of Origin: Japan, Language: Japanese with English subtitles

“Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts” by Sean Seneviratne, 8:42 – 10:31 p.m., Country of Origin: United States, Language: Tamil, Sinhala & English

Closing Night Party at Yellow Ranger & The Golden Horn Bar, 9:30 p.m., Address: 5420 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

Festival badges and single-screening tickets are now available for purchase on the AAAFF website.