MAY 2-10, 2019
LOS ANGELES, USA
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF), earlier known as VC FilmFest, was established in 1983 to bring Asian Pacific American and Asian international cinema to the fore. Presented by Visual Communications, it promotes artistes who shift narratives and stories that challenge perspectives.
The 35th edition of the festival will showcase over 200 films, with eight feature-film world premieres. For the first time in the history of the festival, LAAPFF will open and close with feature films written and directed by Asian Pacific American female filmmakers. In addition, this year’s selections mark a milestone, with 24 women filmmakers. For the first time in the history of LAAPFF, a Filipina-American filmmaker will open the festival with the film Yellow Rose.
OPENING NIGHT
Yellow Rose
Directed by Diane Paragas, the film tells the story of a headstrong Filipino girl from Texas who fights to follow her dream of being a country musician despite facing a deportation threat. Eva Noblezada, Lea Salonga, Dale Watson, Liam Booth, Gustavo Gomez, Libby Villari and Princess Punzalan are part of this cast.
CLOSING NIGHT
Empty By Design
Written and directed by Andrea A Walter, the film is about Samantha and Eric, who move to Manila from the US and are trying to fit in with their new identities. The cast of the film is led by Rhian Ramos and Osric Chau.
Narrative Feature Competition
Come As You Are
Happy Cleaners
In A New York Minute
International Narrative Feature Competition
Cities Of Last Things
Eerie
House Of Hummingbird
Documentary Feature Competition
Eating Up Easter
Jaddoland
Origin Story
Special Presentations
Actress Wanted
In The Land Of Lost Angels
Leitis In Waiting
International Documentary Feature Competition
For Sama
Last Night I Saw You Smiling
Our Time Machine
Gala Presentations
Go Back To China
Ms Purple
Short Films Programs
Blooming Colors
From Visions To Reel: Finding Home
I Gotchu Fam, Always
Itsy Bitsy Shorts
Kids Shorts (Not the Kind You Wear)
#LIFE
Pacific Cinewaves
Reel Sports
The Space Between
The Tipping Point
WWYD (What Would You Do?)
Indian Connect
Curd
Difficult People
Halwa
C3: Conference For Creative Content
This segment is aimed at bringing together prominent media professionals in the realms of film, television, cable, digital and trans-media to discuss the ever-changing media industry. It will also enable them to network, celebrate and share best practices. This year’s theme of C3 is Future Forward.
REORIENT: Emerging Media
This section will showcase cutting-edge virtual reality, mixed reality and interactive installations. It is themed on exploring the intersection of art, technology and the future of storytelling. Films such as Ama’s Memento, Asian In America, Homestay, Girl Icon, Pacific Gateaway: Angel Island, Floodplain and Water Buffalo will be screened under this section.
– Titas Chowdhury