San Diego Asian Film Festival

About SDAFF

The San Diego Asian Film Festival is the flagship event of Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts), one of the largest media arts organizations in North America that focuses on Asian and Asian American cinema. The festival is dedicated to highlighting the diversity and breadth of Asian Pacific Islander and Asian international images, from impassioned independent voices and provocative documentary subjects to the top hits from the world’s biggest continent, the latest works from the masters of cinema, and the fresh points of view of Asian Pacific Islander American filmmakers.

Founded in 2000, the festival has grown from a grassroots labor of love to become one of the most respected festivals in Southern California for its commitment to filmmaker experience, its cutting-edge programming and its enthusiastic audiences. Over the years, the festival has presented everything from future classics like Bong Joon-ho’s MEMORIES OF MURDER (U.S. premiere) to luminary independent work like Patrick Wang’s award-winning IN THE FAMILY (North American premiere). Each year, the festival brings to San Diego the West Coast, North American, and world premieres of films from around the globe, and gives audiences unique opportunities to discover international cinema.

Our Vision for SDAFF is to:

• Present provocative stories that represent the diversity and dynamism of the Asian and Asian American experience, and market these stories to the broadest audience possible.
• Provide a venue to showcase and contextualize innovative and important films that are directed by, acted by, or about Asians or Asian Pacific Islander Americans.
• Celebrate San Diego’s diverse Asian Pacific Islander communities and encourage a better understanding of the different cultures locally.
• Cultivate local talent by providing meaningful programs and resources for minority students to pursue careers in media, film, and the arts.
• Promote San Diego County as a location to shoot and view films, and to make San Diego an arts destination.

Festival History