Started in 2004 by OCA-Greater Houston, the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival (HAAPIFEST) was created to celebrate the AAPI community through edutainment, highlighting AAPI in the entertainment industry and providing a platform for them to share their artistic vision and experiences.

Awards & Prizes

• Grand Jury Prize - Narrative Feature Film
• Grand Jury Prize - Documentary Feature Film
• Grand Jury Prize - Narrative Short Film
• Grand Jury Prize - Documentary Short Film
• Audience Award - Narrative Feature Film
• Audience Award - Documentary Feature Film
• Audience Award - Narrative Short Film
• Audience Award - Documentary Short Film

Rules & Terms

HAAPIFEST Official Rules

1. Shorts are defined as films with a time duration of 40 minutes or less. Features are defined as films with a time duration of over 40 minutes.

2. Submission must fulfill either of the following required criteria:
a. The film/video must either be directed by, produced by, written by or feature an Asian or Asian American/Pacific Islander and/or
b. The content of the entry must contain material that relates to the Asian or Asian American/Pacific Islander culture/experience.

3. All submission entries should have been completed within the last three years.

4. Please include an digital press kit with your entry, including:
• Still images (Please provide captions and photo credits for all images)
• Synopsis
• Director’s biography/photo
• Director’s filmography
• Director’s statement
• Cast and crew listing
• Trailer (if available)
• If your film is selected, the Festival might contact you to request additional items, such as posters and video clips.

5. Submission deadlines:
• Early bird - October 16, 2025
• Official entry - November 30, 2025
• Late submission - January 5, 2026

Filmmakers selected for the festival will be notified via email by February 28, 2026.
31 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sean Au

    Thank you for inviting my film, "What We Said in the Blackout" to the festival. The hospitality of the festival is hard to match. They make filmmakers feel welcome, supported and inspired. Definitely hope to showcase my future films here.

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Blair Treu

    The organizers made each filmmaker feel welcomed and really valued.

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Anthony Ma

    Attending HAAPIFest was such a joy, and I honestly felt like stepping into a home away from home. Coming from the 626 in California, I thought traveling to Texas would feel like a big shift, but the warmth of the HAAPIFest team made it feel like I never left.

    The staff was incredibly intimate and hands on, coordinating rides and making sure filmmakers felt like old friends rather than guests. With the festival centered at the DoubleTree hotel, everything was under one roof, screenings, panels, and hangouts, which made it so easy to mingle, watch films, and connect with other storytellers without ever feeling rushed.

    And the nights? Absolutely unforgettable. From a private karaoke bar with food to stuffing ourselves with K-BBQ while swapping stories about each other’s films, it felt less like a formal festival and more like being part of a close knit community. Unlike many festivals where you can come and go, here you want to stay with the group the entire time.

    The love, focus, and filmmaker first touch from HAAPIFest is something I’ll never forget. Huge thanks to the team for creating such an intimate and supportive environment. Can’t wait to come back!

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Ahmed Ali

    Amazing experience at this festival! Everything was so well-organized and full of energy. Truly enjoyed every moment and looking forward to coming back next year too!

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Priya Vashist

    Wonderful festival! Great communication and very well organized.

    June 2025
    Helpful