The New Mexico Asian American Film Festival will showcase a wide variety of short films made by Asian/Asian American filmmakers. This event lifts up Asian American voices and empowers emerging artists to share their experiences, challenge perspectives, and celebrate their heritage and culture.

Formally under the Asian Business Collaborative as the New Mexico Asian Film Festival. We are very grateful that ABC got us up and running!

Awards & Prizes

Best Film
Best Documentary
Best New Mexico Filmmaker
Best Ensemble
Best Film Family

Other awards may be selected!

Best New Mexican Filmmaker will receive a $15,000 in-kind gear grant from Panavision!

Best Documentary will receive an awesome career elevating course from Desktop Documentaries!

All Award winners will receive a handmade trophy.

Rules & Terms

PLEASE READ THE RULES BEFORE YOU SUBMIT:

NO WAIVERS will be issued for 2026.

Films are to have been directed, written and/or produced by at least one Asian or Asian American in the United States to be considered for the awards.

Films are to represent the Asian diaspora experience, and / or have stories with Asians and/or Asian Americans.

Films feature an Asian and/or Asian American lead actor.

Can be a short documentary, drama, comedy, music video, rom/com, action, animation or family.

No more than 20 minutes.

Submissions must be completed after 2024.

No required premiere status.

English subtitles are required for non-English dialogue.

No nudity will be accepted.

No international submissions will be accepted. Films are to be made in the US.

Feel free to email if you have questions.

NO WAIVERS.

***People of Asian descent includes but is not limited to people from and are descended from areas now known as Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Russia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, and the Pacific Islands.***
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eljin Yoo

    I had an incredibly meaningful experience at The New Mexico Asian American Film Festival with my short film Sonata. The programming was thoughtful and strong, and the audience engagement around identity and culture felt genuine and deeply present. I was honored to receive the Best Film and Best DP awards, including beautiful hand-crafted plaques made by Lava, the festival director herself, as well as DaVinci Resolve Studio. Beyond the awards, what truly stood out was the care and generosity of the festival team. Lava was wonderful in her communication, incredibly welcoming, and went out of her way to show me around Albuquerque, which made the experience feel truly personal. NMAAFF is a festival that genuinely celebrates filmmakers and community, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly!

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    What a kind review, Eljin! It was my honor to screen Sonata for our community (people are still talking about it!). You are truly a gifted storyteller. I can't wait to see your future projects! And it was a blast getting to show you Albuquerque. Thank you for taking time to leave such a thoughtful review. Wishing you all the best!

  • Tony Marquez

    Great festival that brought out the Asian American community in New Mexico. It was a proud feeling to be a part of the AAPI Film Community here in New Mexico. The Guild Theater was the perfect venue to host this intimate festival. I screened my short film, FilAm, and won best NM Filmmaker! Lava, the festival director, hand made winner plaques for filmmakers which was a genuine nice touch that made the award even cooler. Bigger awards for this festival included a Panavision Grant, Davinci Studio Resolve & a Documentary Course. Amazing prizes for a film festival. Highly Recommend this festival to all AAPI Filmmakers!!

    November 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Tony! Congrats on winning Best NM Filmmaker! Well deserved. Can't wait to see what you create with your Panavision prize.

  • Felicia Allen

    I had an amazing experience at the Asian American Film Festival in Albuquerque! My film screened there this year, featuring two Asian American actors, and the support from the festival was incredible. Lava, the festival runner, was so helpful and welcoming throughout the entire process. She even hand-made the awards, which added such a heartfelt, personal touch. The festival itself was well-rounded with great programming, and The Guild Cinema was the perfect venue to showcase everyone’s work. Plus, I walked away with a free festival shirt, which was such a fun bonus. Overall, a fantastic festival experience, supportive, organized, and full of genuine community. Highly recommend submitting or attending!

    November 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Felicia!! You are such a talented director and storyteller. It was sincerely wonderful to screen The Perfect Cut and to award you Best Ensemble! Well deserved! Congrats!

  • Andy Bui

    This festival brings out the small community of AAPI filmmakers within our community and I am so thankful to have a platform where I can share my journey as an artist.

    A special thanks to Lava, Justin, Kristelle, and ABC for being for leaders in this movement and inspiring artists like myself to keep creating films. I look forward to seeing the growth of this festival.

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Bradford Uyeda

    A wonderfully curated body of films. The brilliant communication and organized efforts of the staff make this a regular film festival not to miss. I love this community and I am grateful for the selection of my film this year.

    November 2023
    Helpful