Bringing Global Cinema to San Diego and Local Filmmakers to the Big Screen: 26th San Diego Asian Film Festival Announces Full Lineup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Carmela Prudencio, media@sdaff.org

SAN DIEGO, October 10, 2025

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Bringing Global Cinema to San Diego and Local Filmmakers to the Big Screen: 26th San Diego Asian Film Festival Announces Full Lineup

October 10, 2025—Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) is excited to announce the full film line-up for the 26th San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF), returning to theaters across San Diego County from November 6–15, 2025. This year’s festival brings an incredible lineup of local and international films to audiences across San Diego County, with screenings and events at La Paloma Theatre, Southwestern College Performing Arts Center, Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley, and other venues.

For its 26th iteration of the film festival, Pac Arts is proud to showcase an extraordinary lineup of films, with over 150 films from more than 30 countries in 30 different languages. This year’s program features critically acclaimed films fresh from Cannes, TIFF, and Venice, alongside works from San Diego’s own filmmakers and emerging voices from our Reel Voices student program. This lineup highlights both global excellence and local creativity, making this one of the most dynamic festivals yet.

Attendees will enjoy a diverse range of films as well as more than 30 Q&As with filmmakers, offering opportunities to engage directly with cast and crew.

“For ten days, our organization shines a bright spotlight on independent film, filmmakers, and our stories,” said Executive Director Alex Villafuerte. “None of this would be possible without the support of our devoted members, community partners, sponsors, volunteers and team. My hope is that you join them in the best way to experience world-class film –  in a packed theater.”

Highlights include the highly anticipated films include Forge, directed by Jing Ai Ng and starring Kelly Marie Tran (SXSW); Magellan, directed by Lav Diaz and starring Gael García Bernal (Cannes); No Other Choice, directed by Park Chan-wook and starring Lee Byung-hun (Busan, Venice); Project Y, directed by Lee Hwan and starring Han So-hee (TIFF); Resurrection, directed by Bi Gan and starring Shu Qi (Cannes); The Rose, directed by Eugene Yi (Tribeca); and Rosemead, directed by Eric Lin and starring Lucy Liu (Locarno, Tribeca).

The festival will also present an expansive range of international voices, featuring films from countries including Argentina, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and more.

“This year's lineup is as breathtaking as it is eclectic. Asian American filmmakers push the boundaries of what it means to "represent" communities and histories, and filmmakers from Asian continue to be the trailblazers for all of world cinema,” said Brian Hu, Artistic Director. “We're proud to bring these films to San Diego theaters, and invite filmmakers to meet our audiences.”

Opening Night kicks off on Thursday, November 6 at La Paloma Theatre with Forge, directed by Jing Ai Ng and starring Kelly Marie Tran. Set in Miami, siblings Raymond and Coco Zhang’s art forgery ring thrives until FBI Art Crimes agent Emily Lee arrives to investigate a series of mysterious paintings.

The Centerpiece film is Rosemead on Sunday, November 9 at UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley, starring Lucy Liu and directed by Eric Lin. This intimate drama follows a Chinese American family confronting their deepest fears and desires, earning the Audience Award at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival and an Official Selection at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.

In addition to film screenings, Pac Arts presents OPM + Home Movies: The Legacy of Uncle Nick, a 90-minute program of 16mm home movies accompanied by a live vinyl set by Les The DJ. Nicholas G. Viernes, known as “Uncle Nick,” documented everyday life in the Filipino American community, and these recently restored films celebrate ordinary moments in extraordinary ways. 

The REEL VOICES World Premiere Screening takes place on Friday, November 14  at Southwestern College Performing Arts Center, highlighting the next generation of San Diego filmmakers. Twelve student directors from Pac Arts’ Reel Voices program present bold, original films that challenge inherited realities and explore personal and social introspection. This celebration of local talent marks over 20 years of Reel Voices, showcasing the vibrant creativity and voices of emerging filmmakers from the region.

The festival’s Closing Night film is Left-Handed Girl on Saturday, November 15 at UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley, which tells the story of a mother and her two daughters relocating to Taipei to open a night market stall, navigating new challenges while maintaining family unity. Produced by award-winning director Sean Baker, known for his acclaimed films such as The Florida Project and Anora.

Attendees can explore a wide range of Asian and Asian American films, participate in filmmaker Q&As, and engage with stories from both international and local creators. Tickets and passes are available now at sdaff.org. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

Opening Film: Forge

Thursday, November 6 at 7:30 pm

Location: La Paloma Theatre

Link: https://sdaff.org/2025/movies/forge/ 

In Miami, siblings Raymond and Coco Zhang’s art forgery ring flourishes when they encounter a disgraced millionaire in need of their expertise. Meanwhile, FBI Art Crimes agent Emily Lee moves to Miami to investigate a series of mysterious paintings.

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The 26th SDAFF Awards Gala

Saturday, November 8 at 5:30 pm

Location: San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Link: https://www.pacarts.org/events/sdaff-2025-awards-gala

Celebrate the magic of cinema with filmmakers, artists, and community leaders at this star-studded event while fundraising for Reel Voices, our award-winning high school documentary film program that empowers the next generation of storytellers.

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Centerpiece Film: Rosemead

Sunday, November 9 at 6:45 PM

Location: Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley

Link: https://sdaff.org/2025/movies/rosemead/ 

In a race against time, an ailing woman is stricken by the discovery of her teenage son’s violent obsessions and must go to great lengths to protect him, and possibly others, in this portrait of a Chinese American family.

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Film: OPM + Home Movies: The Legacy of Uncle Nick

Tuesday, November 11 at 7:00pm

Location: Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley

Link: https://sdaff.org/2025/special_events/opm-home-movies-the-legacy-of-uncle-nick/ 

Experience restored Filipino 16mm home movies and live OPM music in The Legacy of Uncle Nick at SDAFF 2025.

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Film: REEL VOICES SHORTS

Friday, November 14 at 6:30 PM

Location: Southwestern College Performing Arts Center

Q&A: Student filmmakers from the REEL VOICES Class of 2025

Link: https://sdaff.org/2025/programs/reel-voices-2025/ 

12 Reel Voices directors challenge the realities handed to them and embrace meditations of introspection.

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‍Closing Night Film: Left-Handed Girl

Saturday, November 15 at 7:00 PM

Location: UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley

Link: https://sdaff.org/2025/movies/left-handed-girl/ 

When a mother and her two daughters relocate to Taipei to open a night market stall, they try to adapt to their new life while maintaining family unity.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

• Organization: Pacific Arts Movement
• Dates/ time: November 6 through 15, 2025
• Location: La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas, UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley, Southwestern College Performing Arts Center in Chula Vista, AMC UTC 14 in La Jolla, and UC San Diego Price Center Theater
• Tickets: Available October 9 at https://sdaff.org/
• Interviews available: For interviews with filmmakers, actors, or festival staff and a list of available screeners, please fill out a media accreditation form and contact media@sdaff.org.
• Link to use in your story: sdaff.org

TICKETING:

Tickets ($12–$35 per screening) and passes (starting at $215) are available now online at sdaff.org. Tickets for films and Q&As will be available on our website at sdaff.org. Tickets for all presentations are available at sdaff.org.

Walk-up tickets are available at the SDAFF Box Office, which will be open 1 hour before the first screening. Walk-up tickets at non-Ultrastar Cinemas locations are available at that venue’s box office one hour before the first showtime of the day. All ticket sales are final. 

DISCOUNTS:

A discount of $2 off of General Admission tickets are available for Students, Seniors & San Diego Public Library Cardholders when purchased at the door and presented with a valid ID.

High school-aged youth and younger are free for all screenings. Tickets available at the door only. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

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ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL: 

Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) is the most comprehensive portrait of Asian and Asian American cinema in North America. Located in San Diego, California, Pac Arts is the presenter of the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, the largest showcase of Asian cinema on the West Coast, and the Spring Showcase of Asian Cinema. The 26th SDAFF is scheduled for November 6-15, 2025. For more information, visit http://pacarts.org. 

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ABOUT PACIFIC ARTS MOVEMENT:

Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) launched in 2000 when it debuted the San Diego Asian Film Festival, a showcase of Asian American and Asian international cinema. Rooted in the love of film and the arts, global citizenship, and Asian culture and communities, Pac Arts became an official nonprofit media arts organization in 2002, and is now one of the most significant exhibitions of Asian cinema in North America.

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