“Whether we are producing media, or whether we are in an advocacy role.. Our work is not over” - Linda Mabalot (Visual Communications Executive Director 1985-2003)
As we celebrate the 52+years of Visual Communications and approach the 39th edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF), we are humbled to continue the work guided by these words from our former Executive Director, Linda Mabalot. We begin a new Festival season by rededicating our upcoming work to Linda’s regenerative impact and cultural abundance to VC and our communities. We are called to be in closer community with Artists and Allies in order to build a Festival that fosters wellness and joy.
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) is the largest film festival in Southern California dedicated to showcasing films by and about Asians & Pacific Islanders around the world. LAAPFF was established in 1983 by VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS, the first non-profit organization in the US dedicated to the honest and accurate portrayals of the Asian American and Pacific American peoples, communities, and heritage through the media arts. In addition to VC Archives, Armed With A Camera and Digital Histories filmmaker programs, LAAPFF is an extension of VC’s utilization of media and the arts as important vehicles to organize and empower communities. The festival reflects VC’s intention to build connections between peoples and generations through the development of film, video and audio storytelling. Through LAAPFF and its year round programing, VC continues to be a pillar of arts advocacy and activism; connecting attracts Industry thought leaders, entertainment celebrities, civic and community organizers and leaders, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts in a week-long celebration of the ongoing accomplishments by artists from Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. In doing so, the festival has been recognized as one of "The 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" in 2021 by MovieMaker Magazine. LAAPFF is a proud Academy Award®-qualifying film festival for the Short Film Awards.
To further understand our festival values, and the relationships we that we build with Festival Artists, Audiences, and Festival Partners/Supporters, please visit https://vcmedia.org/festival
Our 39th edition of LAAPFF will be Thursday May 4 through Saturday May 13. The Festival will feature a robust lineup of in-person programming, along with select virtual programming for guests at home in Southern California and beyond. LAAPFF, over the years, has featured a variety of programming, including:
* Narrative Features, Documentary Features
* Narrative Shorts (Live action/Animation/Experimental)
* Documentary Shorts (Live action/Animation/Experimental)
* Itsy Bitsy Shorts (content created for children, 0-5 years old)
* Kid Shorts (content created for children, 6-12 years old)
* From Visions to Reel (content created by young emerging filmmakers, ages 16-24)
* Cinema Musica (Music videos, and music-centered narratives and documentaries)
* Pacific Cinewaves (content from Hawai’i, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Guåhan (Guam), Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Samoa, and throughout the Pacific region)
* REORIENT: Emerging Media (Cutting edge virtual reality, mixed reality, interactive installations and beyond).
LAAPFF has brought established, emerging, and award-winning artists to the public's attention, including Anthony Banua-Simon, Andrew Ahn, Gregg Araki, Rhi Bergado, Shonali Bose, Lino Brocka, Aneesh Chaganty, Justin Chon, Tanuj Chopra, Davy Chou, Milda Chu, Sujata Day, Christopher Kahunahana, Chen Kaige, Christine Choy, Curtis Choy, Michael Kang, Lena Khan, Stanley Kwan, Ciara Lacy, Ang Lee, Chris Chan Lee, Justin Lin, Bao Nguyen, Miko Revereza, Roxy Shih, Miike Takashi, Renee Tajima-Peña, Alika Tengan, Justin Tipping, Ham Tran, Wayne Wang, Chelsea Winstanley, Hao Wu, Wong Kar-wai, John Woo, Ruby Yang, Christopher Makoto Yogi, Jessica Yu, and many more.
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival has celebrated filmmaking achievement through presentation of juried and balloted awards.
AWARDS FOR FEATURE FILMS may include:
GRAND JURY AWARD – NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM
GRAND JURY AWARD – DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
FESTIVAL AUDIENCE AWARD (Narrative and Documentary Feature)
EMERGING FILMMAKER AWARD – Presented to a director screening their first or second feature without US distribution at LAAPFF 2023.
AWARDS FOR SHORT FILMS may include:
GOLDEN REEL AWARD* (Narrative/Animation Short and Documentary Short)
LINDA MABALOT NEW DIRECTORS/NEW VISIONS AWARD
*Recipients of the GOLDEN REEL AWARD for Narrative/Animation Short Film will be eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film/Live Action Short Film category of the ACADEMY AWARDS® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy® rules.
*To further understand our festival values, please visit https://vcmedia.org/festival. There, we will share how those values inform the Jury Process