Festival News, Press Releases
24th San Diego Asian Film Festival Announces Exciting Film Line-up, Including 5 World Premieres
October 24, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Carmela Prudencio, media@sdaff.org
SAN DIEGO, October 4, 2023
24th San Diego Asian Film Festival Announces Exciting Film Line-up, Including 5 World Premieres
October 4, 2023—Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) presents the 24th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) from November 2 – 11, 2023, the largest showcase of Asian and Asian American cinema in North America. The festival will take place at the Regal Edwards Mira Mesa with additional screenings and special events at the San Diego Natural History Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park, UCSD Price Center Theater in La Jolla, and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla.
This curated lineup of films encompasses the best in both award-winning and cutting-edge cinema worldwide, including 23 premieres—13 West Coast premieres, 3 North American premieres, 1 US premiere, 1 International premiere, and 5 World premieres. Festival attendees will enjoy films along with 34+ scheduled Q&A’s with filmmakers, and opportunities to meet cast and crew.
The world premieres include the festival’s centerpiece film, East West Players: A Home On Stage, the sci fi rom-com Grounded, the touching documentary Come Home My Child, the sexy drama from SDAFF Alum Ougie Park’s Red Card, and Singaporean family drama Wonderland. Select filmmakers are scheduled to appear for Q&A’s after each screening.
SDAFF 2023 will showcase more than 160 films from over 30 countries in 30 different languages. In addition to films from the United States, the festival welcomes works from countries around the globe that showcase the diversity of Asian representation, including Aotearoa (New Zealand), China, India, Iran, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
“Film and storytelling have the unique ability to unite individuals, fostering greater compassion, understanding and joy,” said Alex Villafuerte, Executive Director of Pacific Arts Movement. “We invite everyone—from friends and neighbors to filmmakers and community members—to join us as we bring over 160 Asian and Pacific Islander films and stories to the region.”
The festival kicks off on November 2 at the San Diego Natural History Museum with the highly anticipated film “QUIZ LADY,” starring Awkwafina and Sandra Oh. This heartfelt comedy follows a gameshow-obsessed woman (Awkwafina) and her estranged sister (Sandra Oh) working together to help cover their mother’s gambling debts, showcasing a memorable performance from Sandra Oh’s comedic side.
The centerpiece film is the world premiere of “EAST WEST PLAYERS: A HOME ON STAGE” on November 5th at the Regal Edwards Mira Mesa. This compelling documentary spotlights the contributions of the East West Players Theater company and Asian American actors, featuring luminaries such as George Takei, James Hong, Daniel Dae Kim, and John Cho. Through candid conversations about the creative process, the film chronicles the 58-year history of the longest running ethnic theater in the United States.
In a groundbreaking moment, the festival will present the recently discovered 1914 silent film “THE OATH OF THE SWORD” on November 11. This remarkable film, the oldest-known work by an Asian American production company, will be screened at the Regal Edwards Mira Mesa. Audiences can expect a truly immersive experience with live musical accompaniment. Following the screening, film historian Denise Khor–who played a pivotal role in the film’s rediscovery, will lead a discussion about this remarkable cinematic find.
The festival concludes on a high note with the coming-of-age comedy “MUSTACHE.” Follow Ilyas, a 13-year-old boy navigating the social intricacies of his new school in California while sporting a mustache that his parents won’t allow him to shave. This heartwarming and humorous film is a must-see, and it promises to leave audiences with smiles on their faces.
“It’s 2023. Can we laugh already? Coming out of a global pandemic, we need to reserve a week to throw our hands up and laugh,” says SDAFF Artistic Director Brian Hu. “ At the world and at ourselves. And so we’re opening the festival with a game show comedy and closing with a coming of age movie about mustaches. In between will be time loops, love triangles, and a vengeful ostrich.”
As a delightful addition to this year’s festival, Pac Arts presents “CHEW THE SCENE,” San Diego’s premier Asian American food event, which will take place on November 10th at the newly renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla. This culinary extravaganza will feature tastings from over a dozen of San Diego’s top AAPI chefs, restaurants, and vendors, all showcasing their unique takes on Asian American cuisine. The event will follow the San Diego Asian Film Festival’s awards presentation, where we will be honoring the festival’s top films.
Proceeds of the event will go to Reel Voices and emerging filmmakers.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
Opening Film: QUIZ LADY
Thursday, November 2 at 7:00 pm
Location: San Diego Natural History Museum
Link: https://sdaff.org/2023/movies/quiz-lady
A gameshow-obsessed young woman, Anne (Awkwafina) and her train-wreck sister Jenny (Sandra Oh)must help cover their mother’s gambling debts. When Anne’s beloved dog is kidnapped for ransom, they set out to get the cash the only way they know how: by turning Anne into a game show champion.
Centerpiece Film: EAST WEST PLAYERS: A HOME ON STAGE
Sunday, November 5 at 5:30 pm
Location: Regal Edwards Mira Mesa
Link: https://sdaff.org/2023/movies/east-west-players-a-home-on-stage
World Premiere Screening. “East West Players: A Home on Stage” documentary showcases iconic Asian American artists, sharing candid insights on the 58-year legacy of the pioneering theater troupe, founded in 1965, that continues to amplify the Asian American experience.
Special Presentation: THE OATH OF THE SWORD
Saturday, November 11 at 12:30 pm
Location: Regal Edwards Mira Mesa
Q&A: Discussion with film historian Denise Khor
Link: https://sdaff.org/2023/movies/oath-of-the-sword
Rediscovered 1914 silent film, ‘THE OATH OF THE SWORD,’ is the oldest by an Asian American production company. Follow Masao’s journey from Japan to Berkeley, a tale of love, athletics, and timeless melodrama.
Gala: CHEW THE SCENE
Friday, November 10 at 6:00 pm
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla
Link: https://sdaff.org/2023/special_events/chew-the-scene
Celebrating Asian and Asian American culture through culinary storytelling
Enjoy culinary tastings from over a dozen of San Diego’s top AAPI chefs, restaurants, and vendors, showcasing their takes on Asian American cuisine. The event immediately follows the San Diego Asian Film Festival’s awards presentation.
Closing Night Film: MUSTACHE
Saturday, November 11 at 7:00 pm
Location: San Diego Natural History Museum
Link: https://sdaff.org/2023/movies/mustache
Follows Ilyas, a 13-year-old boy who navigates the social hierarchy of his new school in California with a mustache his parents won’t let him shave.
Film: REEL VOICES SHORTS
Sunday, November 5 at 12:00 p.m.
Q&A: Student filmmakers from the REEL VOICES Class of 2023
Link: https://sdaff.org/2023/programs/shorts-reel-voices-4
Twelve filmmakers, twelve stories exploring filmmaking from the teen perspective. From Pacific Arts Movement’s Reel Voices documentary filmmaking program. Free admission.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
- Organization: Pacific Arts Movement
- Dates/ time: November 2 through 11, 2023
- Location: San Diego Natural History Museum, Regal Edwards Mira Mesa, Museum of Photographic Arts, UCSD Price Center Theater, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
- Tickets: Available October 3 at https://sdaff.org/2023/ticket-info
- 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
TICKETING:
Tickets ($12–$35 per screening) and passes (starting at $215) are available now online at sdaff.org. Tickets for films and Q&As will be available on our website at sdaff.org. Tickets for all presentations are available at sdaff.org.
Walk-up tickets are available at the SDAFF Box Office, which will be open 1 hour before the first screening. Walk-up tickets at non-Edwards Mira Mesa locations are available at that venue’s box office one hour before the first showtime of the day. All ticket sales are final.
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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.
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.