We recently held our 18th edition of the Austin Asian American Film Festival from June 24-28, 2026, and it was a whirlwind of nostalgia as we pulled our photo gallery together. In those five days, we squeezed in watching 34 films, a 2-day VR activation, film industry gatherings, daily parties, and even 3 days of icy treats (Wed-Fri) that the staff repeatedly told me I need to budget for again next year.

Before we move forward, I wanted to take a step back and highlight our Letters that were in the 2026 program from our Board President, Artistic Director, and me about what this year meant to us! Read to the end for a code for 3 free hi-res photo downloads to our 2026 AAAFF memories.

Letter from our Board President - Rock Shum

Rock Shum at 2026 AAAFF Filmmakers Dinner

Earlier this year, I worked on a waterpark commercial playing a mailman among a cast of 6 adults and a dozen kids. As most sets go, there was plenty of "hurry up and wait" throughout the day. Between takes, two children - probably six and eight years old - were getting bored. For some reason, perhaps because I was dressed as a friendly postal carrier, they decided it was my job to entertain them.

"Tell us a story," one said.

"A creepy one," added the other.

I forget the exact details, but I did my best. It involved ghosts, the waterpark, and whatever happened to catch my eye in the lobby where we were waiting. While I was no James Wan, the kids seemed satisfied and demanded another.

"Make it scarier," one said.

“Make it bloodier,” the other chimed in.

Years of watching Scooby-Doo had prepared me for this moment. As I stumbled my way through a series of improvised, child-safe horror stories, I realized how long it had been since I had done this. My daughter turned 13 this year, so I was out of practice inventing stories at bedtime, in restaurants, or while standing in long lines for balloon animals.

What struck me was how natural the request felt, even from two kids I had just met. From the start of human history and each of our lives – we have asked for stories. Yes to entertain, but also to make sense of the world, share experiences, pass along ideas, and to connect. The formats change. Campfires became books. Books became radio. Radio became film. Now we have virtual reality and vertical minis. Yet the desire remains exactly the same.

Film, for me, is still the most powerful way we tell stories.

As AAAFF becomes an “adult” celebrating its 18th edition, showcasing 34 different films, we and all the attendees are still just like those kids at the waterpark asking: “Tell us a story.” And for 5 days, that is exactly what these amazing filmmakers will do.

Sincerely,
Rock Shum
AAAFF Board President

Letter from our Artistic Director - Neha Aziz

Neha Aziz at AAAFF 2026 w/ Lilian T. Mehrel (dir. HONEYJOON)

As we celebrate the 18th edition of the Austin Asian American Film Festival, our team found ourselves leaning into the playfulness, absurdity, rawness, and every other emotion that comes with technically being an adult—but not always feeling like one. Truthfully, at 35, I still relate.

This year's lineup features 34 films from 20 countries, including many returning alumni. We are especially excited to welcome back three feature documentary filmmakers from last year's festival who are returning with documentary shorts in 2026. Our headlining films, HONEYJOON, TRACES OF HOME, and GLOAMING IN LUOMU, are vastly different from one another and are in different languages, yet each centers characters and subjects searching for answers to the questions and challenges that plague them.

Across the program, themes of intimacy and connection emerge.. How do we express pleasure, grief, and desire? How do we show up for the people we love during moments of joy, uncertainty, and loss? Whether through family, friendship, romance, or ourselves, these films remind us that time is fleeting, and what we choose to do with it can mean absolutely everything.

Neha Aziz

Artistic Director

Letter from (me) the Executive Director - Hanna Huang

Hanna Huang at 18 at J2 dining Hall (UT Austin)

Hanna leading the herd (AAAFF staff & board) in 2026

We reflected a lot about our 18-year-old selves while planning this year’s film festival. I wasn’t much older than 18 when I attended my first AAAFF, back in our In/Visible A era under the tutelage of our first Executive Director, Masashi Niwano. That change from Austin Asian Film Festival to Austin [Asian] American Film Festival was still fresh. I remember the excitement when Vinnie, the operations director at the time, let my friend and me into the badgeholders' KTV party at the now-defunct Silhouette downtown despite us having just student film passes.

Now, we’ve tightened up the info for our own secret KTV party, but if you run across us on Saturday night singing our hearts out with the filmmakers, we’ll likely give ya a pass and let you in.

At the end of the day, moments like that at AAAFF are where you build community. Vinnie’s since been a consultant, board member, volunteer, and gosh knows what else for us. This year, we were able to have her and her family join our first Arboretum Lunar New Year Celebration as a teacher for the littles in the Summitt Lion Dance troupe her child is in. Just to say, it’s time to lock in, plug in, and keep building that AAAFF community with us.

a Taurus awaiting the fruits of her labor,

Hanna Huang

AAAFF Executive Director

as promised…

Photo downloads for all of 2026

https://aaafilmfest.smugmug.com/2026aaaff

Coupon Code: giddyup

*3 free hi-res downloads for non-commercial personal use.

To use, add photo download(s) to cart that you would like then check out with code. Valid until September 30.