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Film Screening

SDAFF Spring Showcase 2026 Opening Night Film: THE ROAD TO SYDNEY

The Official SDAFF Launch Party

Chew the Scene

The 15th SDAFF Spring Showcase opens with THE ROAD TO SYDNEY, a moving story of identity, belonging, and unexpected connection. When a mysterious letter sends young Māori woman Mary Stevens from New Zealand to North Yorkshire in search of her past, her journey takes an unforeseen turn—leading her into a new life shaped by secrets, solitude, and possibility. Tickets available now at sdaff.org

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Enjoy culinary tastings from over a dozen of San Diego’s top AAPI chefs, restaurants, and vendors, showcasing their take on Asian American cuisine.

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The 15th SDAFF Spring Showcase opens with THE ROAD TO SYDNEY, a sweeping and heartfelt journey of identity, belonging, and unexpected connection.

A letter and a one-way ticket from a mysterious Englishman send young Māori woman Mary Stevens from New Zealand to North Yorkshire in search of answers about her past. Raised as an orphan, Mary hopes the journey will uncover the truth of her lineage—but what begins as a personal quest soon leads her somewhere entirely unexpected. When a dead end turns into an opportunity to work as a governess in a shadowy, unfamiliar home, Mary finds herself navigating secrets, solitude, and the possibility of forging a new future.

Both intimate and expansive, THE ROAD TO SYDNEY is a moving exploration of home, heritage, and the winding paths that shape who we become. Join us for Opening Night and experience the start of Spring Showcase together—on the big screen and in community.

Director Benito Bautista and Film Subject Sydney Loyala are scheduled to appear for a post-screening Q&A.

UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley

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Participating Restaurants

UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley

7510 Hazard Center Dr #100, San Diego, CA 92108

Free parking is available on the ground level and in the underground lot.

The theater is immediately across from the Hazard Center trolley stop on the Green Line.

Plenty of cafes, restaurants, and conveniences are located nearby.

Sponsors

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April 24, 2026

7:00 PM

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Join Us for Chew the Scene

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