27th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival Returns November 5–14 with Record-Breaking Lineup of 190 Films from More Than 30 Countries and 30 Languages
October 5, 2026
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shareThe 10-day festival will showcase acclaimed films and emerging voices from across Asia and the Asian diaspora, alongside special events, a lifetime achievement award, and a new culinary-focused awards celebration.
The San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF), presented by nonprofit Pacific Arts Movement, returns November 5 – 14 for its 27th annual celebration with its largest program to date, featuring 190 films representing more than 30 countries and 30 languages. As San Diego’s largest film festival and one of the country’s leading showcases of Asian and Asian American film, the festival will bring acclaimed filmmakers, award-winning films, and new and emerging voices to audiences across the region.
The festival’s lineup features a diverse mix of films across several categories:
- November 5 – Opening Night: In Waves. The festival launches with the Cannes-premiered animated adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel, with author and creator AJ Dungo in attendance for the special opening-night celebration.
- November 7 – San Diego Asian Film Festival Awards. From 5pm – 10pm at UC San Diego Park & Market, the festival will announce its award winners and host an evening celebrating filmmakers and the local culinary community. Participating restaurants and vendors currently include Glass Box San Diego, Udon ya Nofuzou, Sovereign Modern Thai, Cherryfish, Zen Modern Asian Bistro, Boat to Table Sushi, PARU Tea, and Esquina Wine Bar.
- November 8 – Reel Voices World Premiere. Celebrate the next generation of filmmakers at the world premiere of Reel Voices, Pacific Arts Movement’s signature youth filmmaking program. After an intensive eight-week summer program, this year’s 12 student filmmakers will debut their original short films on the big screen, sharing personal stories and perspectives developed under the mentorship of professional filmmakers and artists.
- November 14 – Closing Night: Ba’s Book. The festival concludes with a closing-night screening celebrating the final day of this year’s program. Director Ashley Duong, who is one of the subjects in the film along with her father, is scheduled to attend the screening. This will be the film’s US premiere after its premiere last month at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Screenings will take place at venues throughout San Diego, including:
- San Diego Natural History Museum: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
- UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley: 7510 Hazard Center, San Diego, CA 92108
- AMC UTC 14: 4425 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92122
“Audiences are getting tired of algorithms, and the idea that we should only watch what resembles everything we have previously consumed,” said Brian Hu, Artistic Director of Pacific Arts Movement. “Many of us want to be challenged by perspectives unencountered, worlds undiscovered, and challenges to the status quo, and filmmakers from Asia and the Asian diaspora represent such a challenge to the stale, audience-tested fare we encounter on our feeds and streaming services. SDAFF is a curated platform for what we believe to be the most entertaining, provocative, and inspiring alternatives to the algorithm.”
Despite a challenging funding environment for arts and cultural organizations, SDAFF continues to expand its programming each year and create opportunities for audiences to experience stories that celebrate the breadth of Asian and Asian American stories, culture, and creativity. For 27 years, the festival has served as a gathering place for filmmakers, artists, audiences, and community partners, strengthening San Diego’s cultural landscape through the power of film.
For the complete schedule, ticket information, and festival updates, visit sdaff.org.
