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shareFor the first time, films at this year’s San Diego Asian Film Festival are free for youth. Many films at SDAFF are appropriate for younger audiences, and we encourage parents to explore the full program to see what their children may enjoy.
The following are films recommended for youth middle school and above.
Additionally, there is the SHORTS FOR SHORTIES! program for elementary-aged children.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Cells at Work!
Directed by Hideki Takeuchi
In the Urushizaki household, high schooler Niko takes care of her widowed dad. She packs his bentos and keeps tabs on his doctors’ appointments. But for all her healthy habits, there’s a war a-brewing inside her. Hardworking red and white blood cells are on overdrive as ghastly pathogens invade. Niko has a dad to take care of and dates with a cute boy to go on. Can her immune system work together to save the day? A grand spectacle of microscopic proportions, CELLS AT WORK! is a zany action film literally inside a rom-com and touching family melodrama. And for all of the witty worldbuilding and gag-a-minute hijinks, CELLS AT WORK! is a celebration of what makes us feel alive: the wonders of the human body, the charms of youth, and the joys of taking care of loved ones.Saturday, November 9, 2024
The Glassworker
Directed by Usman Riaz
Young Vincent and his glass artisan father live peacefully outside of politics. But when Vincent falls for the colonel’s daughter, he is caught in the crossfires of his father’s pacifist philosophy and a war threatening everything and everyone he loves. A classic story of romance against the odds in Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature.
12:30 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Home Court
Directed by Erica Tanamachi
In this fiery doc, basketball prodigy Ashley Chea steps onto every court knowing she's the best player and has to prove it. Along with the pressures of being a young, rising star in the game, Ashley also reminds us with every pass, dribble, and shot, that Asians have always been ballers.
3:00 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Victory
Directed by Park Beom-su
Ain’t no (cheer) pyramid high enough in this exuberant high school sports comedy. Hip hop-dancing bffs with sky-high dreams and drop-crotch swagger form a cheer squad to secure a rehearsal room. With a new girl with pompom skills, they slay school rivals and life drama, and have us rooting the whole way!
5:45 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
My Sunshine
Directed by Hiroshi Okuyama
A young figure skater finds herself with a new dance partner: a bright-eyed boy smitten with his new sport...or with her? Together with their former champion skating coach, they backflip past the doubters and the norms of their rural town.
7:20 pm
Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA@SDMA)
Sunday, November 10, 2024
SHORTS: REEL VOICES
This year’s 11 filmmakers from our Reel Voices documentary filmmaking program break binary boundaries with varying explorations of connection that extend beyond the physical realm.
12:00 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Free Screening
My Sunshine
Directed by Hiroshi Okuyama
A young figure skater finds herself with a new dance partner: a bright-eyed boy smitten with his new sport...or with her? Together with their former champion skating coach, they backflip past the doubters and the norms of their rural town.
3:10 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Victory
Directed by Park Beom-su
Ain’t no (cheer) pyramid high enough in this exuberant high school sports comedy. Hip hop-dancing bffs with sky-high dreams and drop-crotch swagger form a cheer squad to secure a rehearsal room. With a new girl with pompom skills, they slay school rivals and life drama, and have us rooting the whole way!
6:30 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Boong
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi
Armed with a slingshot and sass, young Boong and his best friend set off on a 100 mile trek to find his mother a gift: his missing father. Across militarized borders and simmering Manipur tensions, their adventure will challenge their chutzpah and their hearts.
5:50 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Shanghai Blues
Directed by Tsui Hark
On the eve of Japan’s attack, a soldier and a young woman meet under a bridge, vowing to meet again after the war. Like the stuff of love songs, they do, but not without an elaborate game of mistaken identities, Shanghai showtunes, and some of the finest visual comedy in cinema history. Kenny Bee beams, Sylvia Chang swings, and Sally Yeh steals the show.
8:00 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Superboys of Malegaon
Directed by Reema Kagti
A rollicking ode to small towns and no-budget bravado based on the incredible true story of Nasir Shaikh, a theater owner turned scrappy amateur filmmaker whose wild ride to success transforms his buddies and his entire village along the way.
7:55 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Saturday, November 16, 2024
The Glassworker
Directed by Usman Riaz
Young Vincent and his glass artisan father live peacefully outside of politics. But when Vincent falls for the colonel’s daughter, he is caught in the crossfires of his father’s pacifist philosophy and a war threatening everything and everyone he loves. A classic story of romance against the odds in Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature.
12:30 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
Superboys of Malegaon
Directed by Reema Kagti
A rollicking ode to small towns and no-budget bravado based on the incredible true story of Nasir Shaikh, a theater owner turned scrappy amateur filmmaker whose wild ride to success transforms his buddies and his entire village along the way.
8:15 pm
Edwards Mira Mesa
