The mission of the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival is to bring attention to the creative output from Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and encourage the artistic development of AANHPI talent, arts, and films in the greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Region.

The festival is accepting feature, documentary and short film submissions by AANHPI artists and International filmmakers with a focus on stories relating to people of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific Islander descent living and working in the diaspora. Now in its 23rd year, the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival will be held Thursday, July 13 through Sunday, July 16, 2023 as an in-person only event. All festival details, including dates, format, and venues, are subject to change.

Our mission embodies the following goals:
* To raise public awareness of AANHPI talent, arts & media
* To encourage and promote the artistic development of AANHPI artists of all creative arts
* To provide arts education opportunities, with particular outreach to AANHPI youth and adults
* To raise awareness and act as a catalyst for the discussion of issues affecting AANHPI communities
* To bring diverse people together, to promote artistic and social interactions
* To sponsor and operate the annual DC APA Film Festival

Awards & Prizes

The DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival recognizes the efforts of Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander/Pacific Islander American filmmakers. Based on the number of submissions, awards will be given in the following categories:

Best Director
Best Performance
Best Narrative Film
Best Documentary Film
The Audience Award

Each awardee is present with plaque and a $500 cash award.

Rules & Terms

ENTRY SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
1. Filmmaker's name, email, mailing address
2. Production credits
3. Film summary
4. Production location, run time, on-screen language, production completion date
5. Press kit and/or hi resolution promotional stills
6. Website, social media links and trailer
7. *Student Filmmakers, please attach a copy of School ID (Student Discounts available, please email us for code).

ELIGIBILITY
Films relating to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and/or Pacific Islander experiences are eligible. Films by International filmmakers with subject matter related the AANHPI experiences are also eligible. Preference is given to filmmakers descending from Asia or Oceania. There is no limit to the number of entries submitted by a single individual, although a separate entry must be created for each film. Entry fees apply to each submission.

SUBTITLES
Non-English language films must include English subtitles.

ENTRY FORMATS
We require *secure online screeners or digital files*. Films must be completed at the time of submission (no rough-cuts or works-in-progress will be considered).

NOTICE OF SELECTION
Filmmakers will be notified of their selection through FilmFreeway or by direct email from the Programming Committee.

All entries selected for the Festival grant DC Asian Pacific American Film the rights to use their submitted film, as well as, footage, stills, titles and information from their films for current and future promotional, archival, and community engagement purposes in perpetuity.

BE SURE TO KEEP US INFORMED OF ANY CHANGES IN YOUR ADDRESS, PHONE OR EMAIL. ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING SUBMISSION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO programming@apafilm.org.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS
FestivalWinners will be announced on the DC Asian Pacific American Film website and social networks.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By submitting your entry to the Festival, you represent that you have the authority to do so and that you have reviewed all of the DC Asian Pacific American Film submission rules and information. You agree to hold DC Asian Pacific American Film harmless and without liability for the statements you make, and you assert that there are no assigned rights, agreements, distribution agreements, production deals or any arrangements whatsoever attached to this work that would in any way interfere with the showing or screening of your entry to the public within the terms of DC Asian Pacific American Film. You further acknowledge and agree that if your entry is selected for the Festival then you grant DC Asian Pacific American Film the rights to use the submitted film, your footage, stills, titles and information from the film for current and future promotional, archival, and community engagement purposes in perpetuity.

28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • toy lei

    the people were great
    this was their first year back from covid
    and I think they were just pulling themselves together

    they told me they normally screen stuff at the Alamo
    which would have been awesome
    but Mission Impossible blocked out all the screens in the area
    thanks tom...

    unfortunately the alternative screening space they got was weak
    i cant really blame them because they tried
    but now I know how Christopher Nolan feels about being picky about his screening spaces...
    on the flip side -
    the space was really conducive to networking and meeting new people
    as well as hanging out with friends

    they treated the filmmakers REALLY well
    lunch all day
    great drinks and desserts all day - and donuts!
    all free!
    the Q&As and panels were insightful and comprehensive
    the staff and volunteers were really great
    they tried really hard to make everyone feel welcome
    and to get the best quality screening working with what they had

    i was under the impression that Sunday was the awards evening
    but they were announced about 2 wks after
    again - I think they were strapped for manpower recovering from covid.

    i would definitely submit (and attend) again
    love these guys

    July 2023
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  • Elvert Bañares

    To be part of the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival is truly an honor for me and our team. We feel pride and joy to have the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples represented in the festival. We truly value our participation and how we are updated by the programs and events.

    We wish to be part of the in-person festivities someday because the films are very interesting and the programs, diverse. Cheers to the Festival Team! Madamo gid nga salamat kag Padayon!

    March 2023
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  • Hui Tan

    It is my great honor to receive your announcement!
    I deeply appreciate DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival to provide this opportunity for filmmakers to represent their films and share their experiences!
    Tan, Hui

    December 2022
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  • Derek Basco

    Thank you DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival for hosting our film. Although we didn't get to make it to DC, we were happy all our folks could watch it online. And thank you for reaching out and making us feel included.

    August 2022
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  • Terry Ngo

    We're so happy that "Granny Boot Camp" was a part of this year's DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival. Thank you so much for your professionalism and support. We really enjoyed watching the films:)

    August 2022
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