About the festival

The San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is San Diego’s premier film showcase of Asian American and international cinema. Founded in 2000, the festival has grown to become the largest exhibition of Asian cinema in the western United States, and has showcased everything from future classics like Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder (US Premiere) to luminary independent work like Patrick Wang’s award-winning In the Family (North American Premiere). Each year, the festival brings West Coast, North American, and World premieres of films from around the world to San Diego and gives audiences unique opportunities to discover international cinema.

This year, the 23rd edition of SDAFF will showcase over 100 films from November 3-12, 2022.

About Pacific Arts Movement

Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) is a non-profit media arts organization dedicated to sharing Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander cinema to inspire, entertain, and support a more compassionate society.

If you love world cinema and rich, independent storytelling, JOIN THE MOVEMENT by becoming a member of Pac Arts. Check out our Membership page for more information.

Past Editions

We held our first festival in 2000, but not all of our old sites are still kicking. Here’s our current archive of online SDAFF editions:

Our Programs

Pac Arts is committed to sharing powerful stories with audiences year-round through the San Diego Asian Film Festival, Spring Showcase, Spotlight Screenings, and Outdoor Screenings. From our award-winning high school documentary program Reel Voices to Youth Days at the festival, we are also dedicated to educating and nurturing a new generation of creative leaders and storytellers.

Spring Showcase: Launched in 2010, an 8-day presentation of the best of Asian and Asian American cinema on the other side of the calendar year.

Youth Days: Two free days of youth-oriented film screenings to culturally educate, enlighten, and enhance local students’ film literacy skills.

Reel Voices: An 8-week summer documentary program training local high school students to become socially conscious digital storytellers. Reel Voices High Tech High is annual collaboration between Reel Voices and High Tech High Point Loma that empowers students to tell their stories and those of the community through digital storytelling.

Spotlight & Outdoor Screenings: Pac Arts presents year-round film programs such as Spotlight and Outdoor Screenings throughout San Diego County.

For more information about Pac Arts, visit the organization’s website here.