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.
37 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Melissa Nguyen

    What a fun community-centered film festival with copious amounts of food---holy moly do they feed not only filmmakers a lot (hello bbq!) but also the attendees! There was a buffet for all film festival guests too and that was very kind. The networking and community-building this festival encourages is awesome; I got to meet so many wonderful filmmakers and left with a lot of new friends and collaboration partners. I really really recommend HAAPI Fest to all filmmakers and hope to screen again with them in the future!

    June 2026
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  • Richard E Haywood

    Such a wonderful event. I look forward to next year and all of the wonderful films.

    June 2026
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  • Valerie Soe

    An amazing event! So glad to have been able to attend with my doc THE AUNTIE SEWING SQUAD RESISTANCE PLAYBOOK. The festival treated us like royalty, with non-stop food and receptions, and even karaoke. It was great to meet so many filmmakers and community members and to share the film with them.

    June 2026
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  • Tofu Riot

    Great festival with an amazing and organized team! HAAPIFEST really made an amazing event with an outstanding lineup of filmmakers and films.

    June 2026
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  • George Chuang

    It was an absolute pleasure having our short, "THE PILL", screened alongside so many amazing films at HAAPIFEST 2026.

    The HAAPIFEST team has done a tremendous job cultivating a space for AANHPI storytellers to share and celebrate their work. You could feel the love and care they put into every bit of the festival experience.

    Definitely looking forward to the next HAAPIFEST!

    June 2026
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