MISSION
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival celebrates the achievements of Asian Pacific cinematic artists and communities.

DESCRIPTION
Established in 1983 by VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is the largest film festival in Southern California dedicated to showcasing films by and about Asians & Pacific Islanders around the world.

As we continue following guidelines and directives from our local, state, and federal health agencies, our 37th edition of LAAPFF is scheduled for September 2021 (exact dates TBD). It will be a hybrid Festival; a combination of online and in-person programming. Recognizing that 2020 has been unprecedented for many of us in the film community, we will consider submitted works completed on or after January 1, 2019.

HIGHLIGHTS
The Film Festival's GOLDEN REEL AWARD for Narrative Live Action / Animated Short Film is eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film / Live Action Short Film category of the ACADEMY AWARDS®. This Festival is the only one of its kind in the world to have earned this qualification.

Visual Communications is proud to continue its partnership with HBO for the HBO Asian Pacific American Visionaries (APAV) Short Film Competition. Now in its fifth year, HBO VIsionaries serves to showcase cinematic storytellers of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent, awarding the top three winners with cash prizes and the opportunity to license their film to premiere exclusively on HBO and stream on HBO via HBO Max, following their festival presentation at the 2021 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. For this year’s competition, HBO is seeking emerging storytellers whose works respond to this year’s theme of "Taking the Lead." Films should portray Asian Pacific Americans as being at the forefront of a given narrative, embracing the spirits of trailblazers, heroes, and luminaries through a unique lens. To learn more about eligibility and guidelines and how to submit, please visit hbovisionaries.com.

The Festival presents approximately 200 films and mediaworks that celebrates Asian Pacific filmmakers and stories. The Festival's highlights include an Opening and Closing Night Celebration, a Festival Centerpiece presentation, a full complement of industry panels and workshops, and a variety of special events. The Festival attracts entertainment celebrities, civic and community leaders, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts in a week-long celebration of the ongoing accomplishments by Asian Pacific cinematic artists.

LAAPFF includes the following presentations:
• Narrative Features, Documentary Features
• Narrative Shorts (Live action/Animation/Experimental)
• HBO APA Visionaries (Live Action Narrative Shorts)
• 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)
• REORIENT: Emerging Media (Cutting edge virtual reality, mixed reality, interactive installations and beyond)

The Festival has brought established, emerging, and award-winning filmmakers to the public's attention, including Andrew Ahn, Gregg Araki, Shonali Bose, Lino Brocka, Aneesh Chaganty, Justin Chon, Tanuj Chopra, Davy Chou, Christopher Kahunahana, Chen Kaige, Christine Choy, Curtis Choy, Michael Kang, Lena Khan, Stanley Kwan, Ciara Lacy, Ang Lee, Chris Chan Lee, Justin Lin, Alika Maikau, Bao Nguyen, Raymond Red, Miike Takashi, Renee Tajima-Peña, Justin Tipping, Ham Tran, Wayne Wang, Chelsea Winstanley, Hao Wu, Wong Kar-wai, WongFu Productions, John Woo, Ruby Yang, Christopher Makoto Yogi, Jessica Yu, and many others.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival recognizes filmmaking achievement through presentation of juried and balloted awards.

AWARDS FOR FEATURE FILMS may include:
• GRAND JURY AWARD – NORTH AMERICAN FEATURE FILM (Narrative and Documentary Feature)
• GRAND JURY AWARD – INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM (Narrative and Documentary Feature)
• 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 2021.

AWARDS FOR SHORT FILMS 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.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival accepts films and mediaworks that are principally made by and/or about Asian Pacific Islander individuals and communities around the world. All lengths and genres will be considered.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
Feature Film (Narrative, Documentary)
• Fiction or non-fiction films of any genre principally created by and/or about Asian Pacific Islanders with themes involving, but NOT limited to, Asian Pacific American and/or Asian Pacific diasporic culture, history and experiences. Works eligible for this category MUST have a running time of at least 41 minutes and is expected to be presented at the Festival as a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or as otherwise required.

Short Film (Narrative, Documentary)
• Fiction or non-fiction films (and music videos) of any genre principally created by and/or about Asian Pacific Islanders with themes involving, but NOT limited to, Asian Pacific American and/or Asian Pacific diasporic culture, history and experiences. Works eligible for this category MUST have a running time not to exceed 40 minutes and is expected to be presented at the Festival as a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or as otherwise required.

Episodic
• Series of multiple videos in episodic form intended for digital platforms, including but not limited to mini-series, web series, serialized television, etc. Episodic submissions should have ongoing storylines, where multiple episodes will be shown. Works eligible for this category must submit at least 3 episodes in the series, with a synopsis/description and total running time for each episode. The combined total running time should not exceed 40 minutes.

Children/Youth Short Films
• Films that are children and family friendly. Works eligible for this category MUST have a running time not to exceed 40 minutes.

Emerging Media
• Content including but not limited to virtual/augmented/mixed reality, site-specific installations, and cross-platform projects. (See additional submission requirements under Exhibition Formats)

Please submit your film ONCE to the category most suitable for your film. If our programmers think your film may be suitable for another LAAPFF program category, it will be recommended for further consideration.

If your film is submitted to the wrong category, you are responsible for any changes in submission fees. If the new category has a higher fee, you are responsible for paying the difference or risk ineligibility. We do not offer refunds.

FILM COMPLETION DATE
All submitted works should have been completed on or after January 1, 2019.

EXHIBITION FORMATS
• FEATURE LENGTH - Digital; D-Cinema (DCP) with required Blu-Ray disc (NTSC)
• EPISODICS, MUSIC VIDEOS, AND SHORTS - Digital; D-Cinema (DCP) with required .MOV file conforming to Apple ProRes 422 HQ (1920 x 1080 24p 48kHz)
• EMERGING MEDIA - ALL submissions MUST BE accompanied by a detailed description of how the work should be exhibited. Please include any specific logistical, spatial, or equipment requirements for your project exhibition, as well as an estimated budget for presentation needs.

PREVIEW FORMATS
Password-protected Vimeo (720p optimal) preferred, or secure online screener.

ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION MATERIALS
• Synopsis
• Director’s statement *optional
• Director’s biography
• Cast and crew listing

If your film is selected for exhibition, you are responsible for delivering their exhibition copy and other materials, such as: trailer, screener link, press stills, and press-kit, by deadline. The Festival will use your materials for print and online promotion. We may also request various other items (posters, etc.) to maximize exposure for your film.

ENTRY DEADLINE & FEES (two tiers)
Signed entry form, screener, and entry fee must be filed via FilmFreeway.com; to be RECEIVED by one of these dates:

FEATURES:
• EARLY DEADLINE - Monday, February 1, 2021 at 11:59pm PT | $30 USD entry fee
• REGULAR DEADLINE - Monday, March 1, 2021 at 11:59pm PT | $40 USD entry fee
• FINAL DEADLINE - Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 11:59pm PT | $50 USD entry fee

SHORTS, EPISODICS, AND EMERGING MEDIA:
• EARLY DEADLINE - Monday, February 1, 2021 at 11:59pm PT | $25 USD entry fee
• REGULAR DEADLINE - Monday, March 1, 2021 at 11:59pm PT | $35 USD entry fee
• FINAL DEADLINE - Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 11:59pm PT | $45 USD entry fee

The Festival does not provide waivers. We understand the severe financial restrictions among many of our artists. As a non-profit organization, we also operate under limitations on resources and the entry fees sustains us to produce the best possible space to showcase your works. We encourage all artists to submit by the early deadline.

SHIPPING
Digital media of invited entries must be sent to the Festival pre-paid at a date to be determined prior to the Festival. Return or forward shipping will be covered by the Festival.

SUBTITLES
Invited entries in language(s) other than English must be subtitled in English.

RENTAL FEES
The Festival does not pay rental fees. Instead, we choose to invest our resources in producing the best possible showcase for your work and promoting your work as widely as possible.

GRANT OF PERMISSION
Signatory of submission grants Visual Communications permission to screen the aforementioned work at the 2021 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival if accepted, and warrants that all necessary steps have been taken to obtain the rights to use, exhibit, and display the work. Signatory also gives Visual Communications permission to solicit and use stills, excerpts, and other materials from such accepted work for promotional purposes.
24 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Amanda Wong

    LAAPFF is a wonderful festival with an amazing, friendly, and supportive staff! I would highly recommend any and all filmmakers to be a part of this festival. Not only were the networking events fantastic and allowed me to meet lots of talented people all around the world, the programming also showcases a wide range of voices and stories. LAAPFF was the highlight of my pandemic year - even though we were online the genuinity and love put into this festival is so palpable!

    February 2021
    Helpful
  • Gerard Elmore

    Despite a pandemic, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival did a fantastic job of creating a exciting festival. A number of digital panels, a tremendous selection of films and the best host for filmmakers. Gracious and easy to work with, we loved our experience. An absolute pleasure to be a part of this lovely festival.

    December 2020
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  • Kevin McTurk

    Wonderful lineup of films. Honored to be selected to this amazing festival !

    October 2020
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  • Mragendra Singh

    Los Angeles Asian Pacific Festival is an absolutely terrific film festival. It was my first time here, and since the acceptance, the staff has been really helpful with everything. I was also amazed by the films, the C3 panels and all the filmmaker engagement events that were put up by festival. LAAPFF and VC Media is really committed to helping emerging Asian filmmakers with distinct and unique voices. Overall, I had an amazing time. I left the festival with some new friends, future collaborators and a lot of inspiration!!!

    June 2019
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  • Valerie Soe

    Awesome festival--so important for Asian Pacific American filmmakers! Great programming, great parties, great communication, great audiences, great venues.

    June 2019
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