Pac Arts Announces Free Youth Ticket Program and Reel Voices Milestone

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Carmela Prudencio, media@sdaff.org

SAN DIEGO, September 16, 2024

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Pacific Arts Movement Celebrates 25th San Diego Asian Film Festival with Free Youth Ticket Program and Reel Voices Milestone

September 16, 2024—Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) is thrilled to announce the 25th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF), taking place November 7-16, 2024. In honor of this milestone, Pac Arts is introducing an exciting new initiative: free festival tickets for high school-aged youth and under. This initiative aims to inspire and engage the next generation of film lovers by providing young people access to groundbreaking Asian and Asian American cinema.

This initiative coincides with the 20th anniversary of Reel Voices, Pac Arts' acclaimed educational program. Since 2005, Reel Voices has empowered the next generation of filmmakers by nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and storytelling skills. The program encourages students to explore cultural diversity and address social issues through the art of documentary filmmaking. To date, over 196 students have graduated from the program, with many going on to pursue careers in film and media, making Reel Voices a transformative experience for aspiring filmmakers.  

"Reel Voices was a great place for me to learn a new way to express myself,” said Aysha Lopez, student filmmaker from the Reel Voices Class of 2024. “Throughout my time with the Reel Voices cohort and our instructors, I was able to learn from not only my peers but even from myself. Being able to imagine something in my head then discovering how to bring that to life was something very special for me and the Reel Voices program helped me as much as they could providing equipment and support."

This year’s Reel Voices Class of 2024 will premiere their films during the festival, showcasing their talent and vision.

The free youth ticket program will make SDAFF more accessible to young audiences, promoting cultural awareness and encouraging family and community participation. Through this initiative, Pac Arts seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for arts and culture and inspire future generations of festival supporters and filmmakers.

“For 25 years, Pacific Arts Movement has enriched San Diego’s cultural landscape and broadened access to diverse stories while building the capacity of future storytellers through our youth programs,” said Pacific Arts Movement Executive Director Alex Villafuerte. “To continue our legacy of breaking down barriers to arts and culture, our Board of Directors and staff are excited to offer free access to Asian, Asian-American, and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander media to youth across our county.”

This year's SDAFF will feature screenings at Regal Edwards Mira Mesa, with additional special events at the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Museum of Photographic Arts @ SDMA in Balboa Park. Full festival line-up will be announced at this year’s SDAFF kickoff party, Chew The Scene, on October 8. 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

• Organization: Pacific Arts Movement
• Dates/ time: November 7 through 16, 2024
• Location: San Diego Natural History Museum, Regal Edwards Mira Mesa, Museum of Photographic Arts @ SDMA 
• Tickets: Available October 8 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

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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 24th SDAFF is scheduled for November 2-11, 2023. 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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