Saturday, August 29, from 10 am-8 pm

Celebrate Asian Stories. Submit Your Film. Join Us in Charlotte.
The Charlotte Asian Film Festival returns this fall as one of the Carolinas' premier celebrations of Asian and Asian American cinema. Hosted at UNC Charlotte, this dynamic one-day event will showcase powerful, culturally rich stories through a diverse selection of short films, feature films, and documentaries—each featuring English subtitles.

We invite filmmakers from around the world to submit films that explore Asian identity, culture, history, and community in impactful and thought-provoking ways. Whether you're a first-time director or an established storyteller, this is your opportunity to connect with new audiences, engage with fellow creatives, and gain recognition for your work.

Why Submit?
- Official screenings at a prestigious university-hosted event with strong community support from the Charlotte Film Festival, Charlotte Film Society, and The Light Factory
- Opportunities to attend a filmmaker reception and participate in Q&A sessions
- Awards for Local (Carolinas) and International submissions
- Exposure to a passionate and growing film-loving audience in Charlotte

Be part of a vibrant cultural gathering that unites the region’s top creatives, changemakers, and advocates for Asian cinema. Expect a full day of screenings, engaging conversations, networking, and celebration. Tickets will be available soon at charlotteasianfilmfestival.com

Awards & Prizes

The Charlotte Asian Film Festival is proud to present a range of awards and prizes for films submitted. Awards will be granted to both local films—defined as those created in or filmed within the Carolinas—and international films. Further details regarding specific awards and prizes will be announced as we approach the event date and finalize the selection of submissions.

Rules & Terms

The Charlotte Asian Film Festival invites submissions from both Asian and non-Asian filmmakers that positively portray Asian culture. All films must adhere to MPAA guidelines, with no R-rated content, and should not depict aggression toward any group of people. English subtitles are required for all submissions.

Creative, relevant, and culturally respectful stories will be prioritized.
6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sujay Khona

    The Charlotte Asian Film Festival is one to watch! Was a pleasure to screen my film here!

    December 2025
    Helpful
  • Alexandra Kumala

    Thank you for having my film be part of Charlotte Asian Film Festival this year. Excellent communication and lovely people. Thank you, CAFF Team!

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Sanghoon Lee

    I am deeply grateful to the Charlotte Asian Film Festival for inviting my film “Seriously Sanghoony?” to this year’s program. It was not only a wonderful opportunity but also a truly meaningful experience. I created this film with the hope of moving beyond elitism—toward a world where people respect each other simply for existing, and where we walk forward together in that spirit. In this sense, I felt that my film resonated closely with the values of the festival itself. The Charlotte Asian Film Festival provided a space that embraces diversity, fosters dialogue, and celebrates art as a shared human experience. I sincerely hope the festival continues to grow, reaching audiences across the world, and that through it, many more people can encounter different cultures, learn to understand one another, and together expand the artistic world we all share.

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Guliz Mutlu

    Hello.

    The air in Charlotte Asian Film Festival during the end of the summer of '25 hummed with a unique energy, a vibrant undercurrent that spoke of shared stories and the powerful resonance of cinema. This was more than just a film festival; the Charlotte Asian Film Festival was a profound celebration, with threads of artistic expression, the unwavering pursuit of freedom, and a beautifully harmonious union of cultures.

    It was in this spirit that I received the most sincere honor, a recognition that still warms my heart: the official selection of my film, 'Erasmus,' for this distinguished event. To have my work considered within such a prestigious context, alongside a curated collection of films that illuminated the diverse perspectives and profound narratives of Asia, felt like a validation of dreams and a way to the universal language of storytelling.

    Watching the films throughout the Charlotte Asian Film Festival was an immersive experience. Each screening was a journey, transporting me to different landscapes, introducing me to characters who resonated with shared human experiences, and exposing me to artistic visions that stretched the boundaries of my own understanding. The festival itself was a testament to the power of art to connect us, to foster empathy, and to celebrate the multifaceted beauty that arises when different traditions and perspectives converge. It was a testament to freedom – the freedom to create, the freedom to express, and the freedom to be moved by stories that transcend borders and backgrounds.

    Thank you again, from the deepest part of my being, for the honor of being a part of this extraordinary event. The memory of the late summer of '25, filled with the magic of the Charlotte Asian Film Festival and the shared experience of cinema, remains a cherished and inspiring one.

    Thank you.

    https://youtu.be/CqF-SZWgoYA
    Guliz Mutlu - Erasmus

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Elvert Bañares

    It's indeed a huge pleasure presenting my new film in your festival! It's the only Filipino film selected this year and it is truly an honor representing the Philippines. Most importantly, I am very thrilled that, through our film, you were able to see a glimpse of Hiligaynon poetry and how I was able to view it from my perspective. Padayon! (Long live!)

    May 2018
    Helpful