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shareFor the second year, 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.
For elementary-aged children, check out our SHORTS FOR SHORTIES! program.
For youth middle school aged and above, the following films are recommended:
Fri, Nov 7
SHORTS: LONELY HEARTS CLUB
Whether hormonal teenager, sad ghost, or trans hairdresser, loneliness fuels stories of hijinks, insurgencies, long strolls, or hands held on a bad day.
My Uncle Jens
Directed by Brwa Vahabpour
Akam, a young literature teacher, lives a peaceful life in Oslo until his estranged uncle from the Iranian part of Kurdistan comes for a surprise visit.
5:45 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
Sat, Nov 8
How Dare You?
Directed by Mipo O
Yuishi has a crush on his classmate, Kokoa because of her determined attitude, especially on protecting the enviroment.
12:20 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
Clash
Directed by Jiang Jia-chen
Food delivery guy Liu Yonggan gathers thirty buddies to form a ragtag underdog football team called the “Dock Workers.”
2:30 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
My Uncle Jens
Directed by Brwa Vahabpour
Akam, a young literature teacher, lives a peaceful life in Oslo until his estranged uncle from the Iranian part of Kurdistan comes for a surprise visit.
2:40 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
SHORTS: QUEER SPACE — AND BEYOND
Drag story hour, an afterlife detour, an influencer funeral. From first-date surprises to competition on the track, 6 stories traversing the queer frontier.
5:10 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
Sun, Nov 9
SHORTS: ĐẸP NHƯ MA / AS PRETTY AS A GHOST
In these Vietnamese shorts, plots haunt the ephemeral: old crushes on scooters, reanimated memories, and tenderness found in between the past and present.
2:00 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story
Directed by Frank Chen
CK Yang, an indigenous Taiwanese athlete, and Rafer Johnson, the first African American flag bearer at the Olympics, battled for the gold medal in decathlon.
2:40 pm
UC San Diego Price Center Theater
Manok
Directed by Lee Yu-jin
Manok runs a lesbian bar in the city, but returns to her hometown after hearing of her mother's death. There, she faces many challenges, including her ex-husband who is the mayor. In order to turn the town around, Manok runs to unseat him.
4:30 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
Mon, Nov 10
Manok
Directed by Lee Yu-jin
Manok runs a lesbian bar in the city, but returns to her hometown after hearing of her mother's death. There, she faces many challenges, including her ex-husband who is the mayor. In order to turn the town around, Manok runs to unseat him.
5:35 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
Tue, Nov 11
Andaz Apna Apna
Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi
2025 4K restoration by Vinay Pictures and Prasad Film Labs Aamir Khan and Salman Khan are the legendary...
6:45 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
Thu, Nov 13
SHORTS: JUST BETWEEN US
Sometimes a message requires a different messenger. Whether through musical, iPad, ouija boards, or pastiche, these shorts explore alternate ways to connect.
The Rose: Come Back to Me
Directed by Eugene Yi
With roots in the K-pop training system, Korean indie rock band The Rose has cultivated a millions-strong global fanbase. After a label dispute forces them into a years-long hiatus, they are back, with an electrifying tour.
6:35 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
Fri, Nov 14
Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story
Directed by Frank Chen
CK Yang, an indigenous Taiwanese athlete, and Rafer Johnson, the first African American flag bearer at the Olympics, battled for the gold medal in decathlon.
5:30 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
REEL VOICES
The gig's up: make way for the next generation of alt filmmakers in 12 films by this year's Reel Voices filmmakers.Sat, Nov 15
REEL VOICES
The gig's up: make way for the next generation of alt filmmakers in 12 films by this year's Reel Voices filmmakers.
1:00 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
25 Cats From Qatar
Directed by Mye Hoang
Multi-national rescuers in Qatar team up with a cat cafe owner from Milwaukee to rescue 25 cats amidst a population crisis.
3:50 pm
UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley
