In The Mood for Asian & AA/PI Movies for Valentine's Day? We Got You.

Need something to watch on Valentine's Day? AAAFF staff and programmers have some ideas for y’all whether you wanna watch a film with your gals, yourself, your partner, or any other person you can think of! 

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Film: AIR DOLL 

Where: Rent via YouTube, Google Play

A sex doll (played by Bae Doona from The Host!) as the lead in a romance drama may sound like a farce, but this underseen gem by masterful director Hirokazu Koreeda (Shoplifters) is a profound statement about the experience of love and loss and how it ultimately shapes our humanity. - Ray

Film:  ALL MY LIFE

Where: HBO Max, Hulu, Rent/Buy via Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu

Based on a true love story, Harry Shum Jr. stars as Solomon, an aspiring chef who meets Jenn at a bar with friends and they instantly hit it off. Their inspiring story is about unconditional love in sickness and in health.  - Melody

Film: ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE

Where: Netflix 

Comedy all-stars Ali Wong and Randall Park team up for a genre-changing rom-com with all Asian American leads with the likes of Daniel Dae Kim and Keanu Reeves making appearances. This is the rom-com Asian American Studies / Ethnic Studies nerds waited all their lives for. - Hanna

Film: THE BIG SICK

Where: Amazon Prime, Rent/Buy via YouTube, Google Play, Apple, Vudu

Based on the true love story of Kumail Nanjiani and his partner Emily, THE BIG SICK showcases how they dealt with cultural differences after Emily became ill.  - Melody 

Film: IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE

Where: Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Kanopy

Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung being their sexy AF selves in this gorgeous Wong Kar Wai masterpiece filled with smouldering looks, longing and desire. - Hanna

Film: IL MARE

Where: Rent via Amazon Prime, Asian Crush

Before there was The Lake House, Il Mare swept hearts through a tiny mailbox that could deliver letters across time. One of my favorite cleansing things to do is to put on a classic Korean Rom-Dramedy and let the final act of the film totally obliterate my heart. The film stars Squid Games' leading man Lee Jung-jae as the film's central heartthrob, with the effervescent and lovely Jun Ji-hyun (who also stars in My Sassy Girl - mentioned as well on this list). There's something deeply romantic about two lovers finding each other through something as simple as a mailbox, and achingly tragic about the thought that they may never find each other in the present. - Jenny

Film: I WILL MAKE YOU MINE

Where: Pluto TV, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Tubi, Vudu, Rent via Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube 

The romantic misadventures of singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura (playing a fictionalized version of himself) continues in the third and final installment of the casual trilogy "Surrogate Valentine." The film marks Asian American indie darling Lynn Chen's directorial debut. - Hanna

Film: MONSOON WEDDING

Where: Rent via Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu

Mira Nair’s masterpiece gives us romance, marigolds, and a multitude of secrets that culminate in you guessed it, a wedding. - Neha 

Film: MY SASSY GIRL

Where: Rent via YouTube, Google Play

Bring out the tissues because this Korean rom-com pulls at your heart strings just as much as it makes you laugh. It's charming, smart, and incredible at stirring up ALL the emotions about what we perceive relationships to be. - Ray

Film: TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE 

Where: Netflix

While this is a trilogy, the first film is my favorite. How can you not resist the fake dating to real relationship troupe? Come for the swoon and stay for Lara Jean’s (Lana Condor) hilarious scene-stealing sister Kitty (Anna Cathcart) - Neha

Film: THE ROAD HOME

Where: Rent on Youtube, Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu

In this film debut of Zhang Ziyi, a man returns to his small hometown after the death of his father, where the past love story between his parents unfold in a touching and heartfelt drama from the great film maker Zhang Yimou. - Yuxi

Film: THE WEDDING BANQUET

Where: Pluto TV, Tubi, Roku Channel, Prime Video

Part of Ang Lee's "Father Knows Best" trilogy, this fun 90s rom-com has it all from elaborate schemes to hide secret lovers from your nosy Asian parents to a surprise twist at the end. Also, where else can you find a secret lover that lets your parents and fake fiance take over their NY brownstone PLUS cooks for you? - Hanna

Film: US AND THEM

Where: Netflix

As previously mentioned, there's nothing I love more than a movie that makes me a puddle on the floor, and last year when I watched Us and Them for the first time, I melted. The film stars one of China's rising starlets, Zhou Dongyu (who also starred in the Oscar-nominated Hong Kong film Better Days), and her performance in René Liu's striking debut is breathtaking. It's a film as painful as a Mitski song, a story filled with strife, melancholy, and a touching depth of understanding and sympathy for its two characters who love is unlike any other, but doomed to fail because of circumstance and timing. - Jenny

Don't Miss These Asian & AA/PI Films Showing at Sundance 2022

Written by Neha Aziz, AAAFF Community Programs Director & Film Programmer

The Sundance Film Festival starts next week and they have a ton of Asian and AA/PI films to watch! They have a few different ticket and package options for viewers across the globe and single ticket films cost $20 and are on sale now, while they last! Their short film and Indie Episodic programs are free to US residents. Take a closer look at these films below and help support the Independent Film community!

FEATURES: 

2ND CHANCE

Bankrupt pizzeria owner Richard Davis invented the modern-day bulletproof vest. To prove that it worked, he shot himself 192 times. He launched a multimillion-dollar company and became a cult figure among police. Davis’s rise and fall reveals a man of contradictions and the nature of power and impunity in America. 

Director/Screenwriter: Ramin Bahrani

AFTER YANG

In the near future, a father and daughter try to save the life of Yang, their beloved robotic family member. 

Director/Screenwriter: Kogonada 

ALL THAT BREATHES

Against the darkening backdrop of Delhi’s apocalyptic air and escalating violence, two brothers devote their lives to protecting one casualty of the turbulent times: the bird known as the black kite. 

Director: Shaunak Sen

EVERYDAY IN KAIMUKI

A young man is determined to give his life meaning outside of Kaimukī, the small Hawaiian town where he grew up, even if it means leaving everything he’s ever known and loved behind.

Director: Alika Tengan

Screenwriter: Naz Kawakami, Alika Tengan

THE EXILES

Documentarian Christine Choy tracks down three exiled dissidents from the Tiananmen Square massacre in order to find closure on an abandoned film she began shooting in 1989. 

Directors: Ben Klein, Violet Columbus

FREE CHOL SOO LEE

After a Korean immigrant is wrongly convicted of a 1973 San Francisco Chinatown gang murder, Asian Americans unite as never before to free Chol Soo Lee. A former street hustler becomes the symbol for a landmark movement. But once out, he self-destructs, threatening the movement’s legacy and the man himself

Director: Julie Ha, Eugene Yi

JIHAD REHAB

Twenty years after the Guantanamo Bay detention camp was established by the U.S. military in the wake of 9/11, its legacy continues to cast a long shadow. This film focuses on several men — detained in Guantanamo for years without charge by the United States — after they are placed in what’s billed as the world’s first rehabilitation center for extremists. There, they undergo the center’s “deradicalization” program, which includes therapy sessions and life skills classes, before they are permitted to be released into an unfamiliar society where they will face new challenges. In the process, the four men illuminate their individual understanding of what the term “jihad” has meant in their own lives, and express the anguish and complexities of their personal journeys. 

Director: Meg Smaker

MAIKA

After a meteor falls to Earth, 8-year-old Hung meets an alien girl from the planet Maika, searching for her lost friend. As Hung helps his otherworldly friend search, the alien inadvertently helps Hung make new friends and heal a broken heart. But danger lurks everywhere… 

Director/Screenwriter: Ham Tran

MIDWIVES

Two midwives work side by side in a makeshift clinic in Myanmar.

Director: Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing

SIRENS

On the outskirts of Beirut, Lilas and Shery, co-founders and guitarists of the Middle East’s first all-woman metal band, wrestle with friendship, sexuality, and destruction in their pursuit of becoming thrash metal rock stars. 

Director/Screenwriter: Rita Baghdadi

TIKTOK, BOOM. 

With TikTok now crowned the world’s most downloaded app, these are the personal stories of a cultural phenomenon, told through an ensemble cast of Gen-Z natives, journalists, and experts alike. This film seeks to answer, “why is an app best known for people dancing the target of so much controversy?”

Director: Shalini Kantayya

WATCHER

A young woman moves into a new apartment with her fiancé and is tormented by the feeling that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in an adjacent building. 

Director: Chloe Okuno 

Screenwriter: Zack Ford

SHORT FILMS: 

BREATHE

At 12 years old, gifted Jaehee uses an unorthodox healing method that propels her into conflict with her overbearing father. 

Director/Screenwriter: Stephen Kang 

CLOSE TIES TO HOME COUNTRY

Millennial immigrant Akanksha waits for her sister’s visit from India — they haven’t seen each other in nine years! Meanwhile, she’s dogsitting the fancy Frenchie of Instagram influencers India and Harry, who themselves are on a trip to India’s namesake. 

Director/Screenwriter: Akanksha Cruczynski

MAKASSAR IS A CITY FOR FOOTBALL FANS 

In a city where men have to go crazy about football, Akbar has to pretend to love the game in order to prevent rejection from his new college friends. 

Director/Screenwriter: Khozy Rizal

ORTHODONTICS

Teenage girl Amitis, who always has headgear as part of orthodontic treatment, suddenly does something strange to her friend, Sarah. 

Director/Screenwriter: Mohammadreza Mayghani

RENDANG OF DEATH

In a quaint Padang restaurant, filled with people enjoying their lunch break, two bros put their friendship to the test when it turns out that only one plate remains of their favorite dish: The Rendang of Death. 

Directors: Percolate Galactic, Andri “Yujin Sick”

Screenwriter: Ryan S. Jackson

SANDSTORM/MULQUAT 

Zara, a teenage girl, shares a sensual dance video with her virtual boyfriend, who begins to blackmail her into meeting him in person. Will Zara give in to this stranger’s increasing demands or will she set herself free? 

Director: Seemab Gul 

WARSHA

A Syrian migrant working as a crane operator in Beirut volunteers to cover a shift on one of the most dangerous cranes, where he is able to find his freedom. 

Director/Screenwriter: Dania Bdeir

AAAFF's 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Written and curated by AAAFF Community Programs Director & Film Programmer, Neha Aziz
Twitter: @NehaAziz13 / IG: @nehaaziz

Hey friends!

Welp, the holidays are here and if you are still looking for presents to give your pals, your relatives, or yourself; look no further than the AAAFF 2021 Gift Guide! We’ve got suggestions for your arthouse film lover, books that will be adapted (your chance to read them and claim to be an OG fan), and so much more. Explore below!

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WORLD OF WONG KAR WAI 

Earlier this year, Criterion released a stunning box set of the films of Wong Kar Wai. The set consists of: As Tears Go By, Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express, Fallen Angels, Happy Together, In the Mood For Love, and 2046. Extras include deleted/alternate scenes, art prints, and interviews to name a few! 

BRUCE LEE GREATEST HITS 

Get your Kung Fu on with the legend himself, Brue Lee! This box set includes: The Big Boss, Fists of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, Enter the Dragon, and Game of Death. DVD extras feature essays, the 2004 documentary Blood and Steel, and alternate soundtracks. 

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

There are so many amazing AA/PI film and TV adaptations coming our way! Not an exhaustive list by any means, but we picked some favorites including Crying at H Mart, Gold Diggers, Minor Feelings, and Shortcomings. Speaking of books, check out this blog post by local bookseller and booklover Eugenia Vela for even more recommendations!

MINARI POSTCARD SET 

We at AAAFF adore Lee Issac Chung’s Minari, and if you have a fellow Minari lover in  your life, take a look at these gorgeous mini prints from A24. 

APPAREL FROM SUPER YAKI

Houston-based artist Super Yaki really celebrates the unsung heroes of cinema including The Village and Phantom of the Opera! Some personal faves are the ​​Miyazaki Club, Directed by Karyn Kusama, and Be Nice to Kelly Marie Tran tees. 

GIRLS ON TOPS 

Get some of the women directors names you admire on a t-shirt! We love Lulu Wang, Isabel Sandoval, and Chloé Zhao tees. 

SHANG - CHI FATHER SON DUO T-SHIRT

Who isn’t a fan of Simu Liu and Tony Leung? However, if this shirt isn’t your jam, take your pick of other choices here. 

OMSOM SAMPLER

Spice UP your life! Get this 6 sampler starter featuring flavors from Southeast Asia. 

TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE CANDLE

Bring the smell of Lara Jean’s kitchen into your home, scents of vanilla, apple spice, and cinnamon. YUM!  

AA/PI Books to Fall in Love With

Written by Guest Writer, Eugenia Vela

Twitter: @euvelab
instagram: @euvelab

We’re now deep into “Best of” season, and while I adore lists— reading them, making them, checkin ‘em off— I have my issues with those “Best of” that make headlines every year. What even IS “best”, y’all? Let’s talk about books that we LOVE. When AAAFF asked me to put together a list of books by AA/PI creators, I knew it was my time to share exactly that: books I love. Books I believe you will love, too. Books to inspire you. Books that will make you laugh and cry. Books that will make you want to call your mom, okay? So here’s what we’re digging into in this list: stories on identity, language, and survival, comedy, justice, and romance, family, privilege, edibles? and SO! MUCH! MORE! I hope y’all enjoy and find something new for you and yours. 

As a former indie bookseller, I have to remind y’all to support local indie bookstores when you’re doing your shopping. I love attending AAAFF and participating in the wonderful screenings they put together— recent favorites include Minari and Curtain Up!— and I know that the festival, as a staple of the Austin community, understands the value of supporting local. I encourage you to explore some of the gems in your own town; Austin has amazing shops like BookPeople, BookWoman, Black Pearl Books, and more. You can also shop via bookshop.org, which the titles on this list link to, in order to support indies all over the country. Happy reading!

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For the grown-ups

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (Grand Central Publishing)

Oh, Pachinko. How do I even begin? There is no real way to do this masterpiece justice. Pachinko sat on my shelves for years, even though I knew it was beloved and recommended by MANY folks I trust. Well, I genuinely believe that books find you at the right time. So one day, years after acquiring the title, I walked up to my shelf and picked it up. What followed was weeks of restricting myself to only a chapter or two a day because I did not want this book to end. I wanted to live in its pages and reach out to the characters created by Min Jin Lee in this unforgettable, impeccably detailed immigrant story. We meet young Sunja in early 1900s Korea and follow her family for generations after she marries and moves to Japan. Pachinko is a book of love, sacrifice, hope, history, and ambition. This is one of those books that you will want to hug after you’ve read the last page, and will leave you wondering just what you’re supposed to do next. Phew. Here’s hoping Pachinko finds you soon. 

Edibles: Small Bites for the Modern Cannabis Kitchen by Stephanie Hua with Coreen Carroll, photography by Linda Xiao (Chronicle Books)

Every modern kitchen needs a good cannabis cookbook, right? Stephanie Hua, founder of the gourmet edibles line, Mellows, and Coreen Carroll, winner on the Netflix series Cooked with Cannabis, bring you a recipe collection that is fresh, simple, and adventurous enough for chefs of all levels. From basics like canna honey and maple syrup, to a twist on the regular ole pot brownie (reader, meet the “Booty Call Brownies”) and an inside scoop on the herb’s therapeutic effects, this cook/bake book will guide you through an easy and delicious edibles experience, not to mention look stunning on your kitchen counter. A personal favorite recipe is the fried mac and cheese bites… ooof *chefs kiss*.

Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So (Ecco Press) 

There’s something about the fall/winter season that makes me want to discover a great new book of short stories. If you’re looking for a smart, modern collection to suck you right in, Afterparties is it. Published posthumously, the nine stories that make up Anthony Veasna So's debut collection are messy portraits of Cambodian American life. So doesn't pander to a white readership, nor does he ask for pity, painting scenes of those living with the traumatic side effects of genocide, sexually frustrated young people, and washed up dreamers. Afterparties is ultimately about history and how a community persists and thrives. Perfect for readers who love the power, depth, and humor of Carmen Maria Machado, Tommy Orange, and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. 

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For young adults

Yolk by Mary HK Choi (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) 

I absolutely love Mary HK Choi’s work and will read ANYTHING she puts out. You may be familiar with her writing from GQ Magazine, but she also writes novels for young adults, like her Austin-set debut, Emergency Contact, or her fantastic (and anxiety inducing) sophomore novel Permanent Record. Choi’s writing is sophisticated and captivating, and she is a master of character-driven stories. While her first two books explore early 20-something romance, her latest, Yolk, dives into the uncomfortable, complicated side of family relationships. When two estranged sisters, Jayne and June, come together in a time of need, they learn just how far they’re willing to go for one another. Their story tells of jealousy and anger, forgiveness and hope, layered with deeply rooted issues of body image, mental health, and depression. There is a LOT to unpack in Yolk, and it’s a difficult but rewarding read. Take your time. OH, one more thing. All of Choi’s stunning book covers are illustrated by ohgigue, and trust me, they deserve a spot on your bookshelf. 

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen (Random House Graphic)

This graphic novel is unlike any other, and possibly one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. The Magic Fish is a complex, magically layered tale of a boy and his mother, and the way stories connect us through language, space, and time. Trung Le Nguyen weaves in fairy tales with the present-day happenings of Tiến’s life, as he tries to figure out how to come out to his parents. The artwork here is breathtaking. You will want to read The Magic Fish more than once to take in the intricacy in each spread, and the way the creator has managed to connect different perspectives into one awe-inspiring, unforgettable story. 

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean (Flatiron Books) 

If you’re hoping to escape reality and dive into a fun, modern fairy tale, look no further. Y’all, this novel is such an easy sell: think Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians for the new generation. Izumi Tanaka’s just a regular Japanese-American girl living in a very white, small town in California, when she learns that her long lost father is… *drumroll*... the Crown Prince of Japan. What follows is a whirlwind adventure filled with conniving cousins, paparazzi chases, and a lil’ dash of forbidden romance in this introduction to your new favorite princess. Me thinks Izzy and Mia Thermopolis would be good pals. Plus, there’s already a sequel in the works, coming to a bookstore near you in May 2022. I. Need. It. 

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Recommended for ages 8-12:

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat (Candlewick)

I will admit I am not the biggest fantasy reader, but Austin author Christina Soontornvat’s fresh new world swallowed me whole! Pong is a prison-born orphan on the run, searching for freedom and discovering his own magical talents and limitations while facing new enemies, like the prison warden’s daughter, Nok, who has taken it upon herself to capture Pong and return him to Namwon Prison. This Thai-inspired reimagining of Les Miserables will pull readers into an action-packed, heartfelt, and funny (yes, it has it all!) story of justice, privilege, and finding light in the dark. 

Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim (Kokila)

This book is my go-to recommendation for young readers with a funny bone! Personally, I believe we need MORE stories of kids who love standup, and this one reads like an instant modern classic. Yumi is our SNL-obsessed heroine, whose parents run a Korean barbecue restaurant and have high expectations and big hopes for their kid—  and attending comedy camp run by a YouTube celebrity is NOT one of them. But what’s a girl to do, if not persistently (and secretly) chase her dreams of comedy stardom? Jessica Kim’s clever and laugh-out-loud funny debut starrs a brave, young girl who is all heart and isn’t afraid to ask big questions. Protect Yumi at all costs. 

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Picture books (for all ages!)

What I Am by Divya Srinivasan (Viking Books for Young Readers)

In the book’s Author Note, Divya Srinivasan shares the story of a rude stranger who once asked her sister, “What are you?” Neither of them ever forgot that moment. In What I Am, the young narrator ponders all the things that make her who she is. She is a scaredy-cat. She is brave. She is a daughter and a granddaughter. She is American. She is Indian. While some qualities might seem contradictory, they all exist at once. Paired with Srinivasan’s signature bright and bold illustrations, What I Am is a sweet and thoughtful celebration of the simple things that work together to make us unique individuals. If you love this book as much as I do, make sure you check out some of the Austin author’s other work, including the Little Owl books, Octopus Alone, and Cinnamon, written by Neil Gaiman. Divya was also an animator on Richard Linklater’s Waking Life!

A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin (Little, Brown for Young Readers)

This dreamy, whimsical book inspired by the phases of the moon reads like the perfect bedtime story. So nuzzle under your favorite blanket and get ready to meet Little Star, who can’t help but sneak out of bed and nibble on the mooncake her mama set out to cool. Author-illustrator Grace Lin thrives on a limited color palette and sparse text, delivering a treasure cove of detail in big spreads that beg to be framed and hung on the wall. (Not that I am encouraging y’all to tear out pages, but.) An homage to the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and the connections we make through food and tradition, A Big Mooncake for Little Star is an irresistible treat. 

Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh, illustrated by Baljinder Kaur (Kokila)

You can probably tell from my list that I’m not the biggest nonfiction reader. I do love the occasional essay collection, memoir, or biography, and that includes picture book biographies. Enter Fauja Singh, a man who ran his first marathon at 89 years old— and at 110, is still alive and running! The Texas author and fellow runner, Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, knew he had to tell this special story of a young boy who couldn’t walk and grew up to break marathon records. This beautifully illustrated tale of resilience and determination will inspire readers of all ages. I personally learned a lot from Fauja Singh, and while I’m not planning on signing up for a 5K any time soon, his message of perseverance, independence, and deep care for mind, body, and spirit applies to pretty much everything in life. Fauja Singh Keeps Going deserves to be celebrated!

2022 AAAFF Submissions Are Now OPEN!

Although it feels like the 2021 Austin Asian American Film Festival was just yesterday, it is time to start thinking about 2022! Submissions are now open for the 14th Edition of AAAFF and will last until February 27 via FilmFreeway. 

We accept entries for Narrative Features, Narrative Shorts, Documentary Features, and Documentary Shorts.

Submission fees for Narrative Features (60 minutes or longer) and Documentary Features (45 minutes or longer):

Early Bird Deadline (January 1)

• Standard: $35

• Student: $25

Regular Deadline (February 27)

• Standard: $40

• Student: $30

Submission fees for Narrative Shorts (45 minutes or shorter) and Documentary Shorts (45 minutes or shorter):

Early Bird Deadline (January 1)

• Standard: $20

• Student: $15

Regular Deadline (February 27)

• Standard: $25

• Student: $20

The 2022 Austin Asian American Film Festival will take place from June 23-26. Click here for more information about rules and eligibility. 

GOOD LUCK! :)