Pacific Showcase
Every year, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival presents a Pacific Showcase to specifically celebrate Indigenous artists with roots in the Pacific. This showcase is sponsored by our good friends, Pacific Islanders in Communications. In 2021, we have curated the highest number of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander films in our festival history. We aim to do our part to uplift Indigenous art and artists, advocate for the education and awareness of Indigenous histories, and advocate for Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and self-determination in the Greater Philadelphia Area and across the Pacific.
Feature Narratives, Pacific Showcase
I Was A Simple Man
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A family in Hawai'i faces the imminent death of their eldest as the ghosts of the past haunt the countryside.
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Waikiki
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In this cinematic allegory of love and loss, a hula dancer fights for survival and her sanity in the shadows of Waikiki.
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Vā: The Space Between Us
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“Vā is the space between, the betweenness, not empty space, not space that separates but space that relates,...
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Cane Fire
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Cane Fire examines the past and present of the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi, interweaving four generations of family history, numerous Hollywood productions, and troves of found footage to create a kaleidoscopic portrait of the economic and cultural forces that have cast indigenous and working-class residents as “extras” in their own…
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LOIMATA, The Sweetest Tears
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CW: sexual abuse, death Samoan Lilo Ema Siope is six feet tall, has the strength of three men,...
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Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists
Born out of a desire to support and celebrate diverse Asian theater artists in Philadelphia, PAAFF has partnered with PAPA to present three captivating live streamed performances. Two of the performers are part of PAPA, PAAFF, and AAI’s 2021 Mini-Residency and will be presenting their works in progress. Each performance brings a unique artistic voice to the forefront and reflects the greater diversity of this city and its stories.
PAPA Performance: Have You Heard the Moves
Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists (PAPA) presents a dance showcase addressing the question: How do you get moving again?...
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PAPA Mini-Residency: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Memories
Li Mu Bai. The Green Destiny. Jade Fox. Michelle Yeouch! Nothing holds the same space in the annals of film history as Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Come join us in-person for a special screening of this beloved epic. As a part of PAPA’s mini-resident Chantal Vorobei Thieves’ ongoing…
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PAPA Mini-Residency: Half of Half Magic + Artist Conversation
1 Half Magic is the autobiographical story of a biracial white/South Asian child raised on stories of white heroes. Joseph Ahmed uses physical theater, storytelling, and circus techniques to explore the childhood narratives and social structures that led him to self-identify as white for most of his young life. Animorphs,…
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Creative Discussions
PAAFF prides itself as a platform for new ideas and discourse. We have invited new guest speakers that will share their expertise and experiences on topics such as social impact filmmaking and educational access in Philadelphia.
Panel: The Road to Social Impact Filmmaking
With the rise in society’s interest in social change, film presents a unique opportunity to educate and engage. This panel will provide a space to learn about the process of creating socially impactful films from pre-production, to production, to distribution. Each of the panelists will discuss their perspectives within the…
View purchasing options for Panel: The Road to Social Impact Filmmaking LivestreamPanel: Race and Education Access
There’s no denying that today’s high school seniors are stressed. But to what degree do Philadelphia high school seniors suffer from additional pressures brought on by racial dynamics in education? This panel will take a closer look at the student narratives in Try Harder! The featured panelists will help contextualize…
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Undocumented Filmmakers Collective
We are so honored to partner with Undocumented Filmmakers Collective to host a showcase of short films directed by members of the collective. This is our first year of programming partnership and we are excited to see what this partnership can bring!
HEAL: Undocumented Filmmakers Collective Shorts Showcase
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With pain comes healing. The HEAL shorts program features films by members of the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, showcasing...
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Asian Music Showcase
PAAFF’s Asian Music Showcase is back and in-person at Asian American Arts Initiative! This year’s showcase features an entirely local artist lineup, showcasing the passion and talent that Philadelphia’s Asian American creatives bring to the music industry.
Asian American Beats To Jam To
PAAFF’s Asian Music Showcase is back and in-person at Asian American Arts Initiative! This year’s showcase features an entirely local artist lineup, showcasing the passion and talent that Philadelphia’s Asian American creatives bring to the music industry. Coming from a variety of music genres, each artist brings their own unique…
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