The San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is back and bigger than ever for its 25th anniversary! Running from November 7-16, 2024, the festival promises a cinematic feast with over 170 films from more than 35 countries, including world premieres, special events, and Q&As with filmmakers.
“The San Diego Asian Film Festival takes over a year of planning and organizing in order to bring this many films and filmmakers to our region,” says Alex Villafuerte, Executive Director. “I’m grateful for our board, staff, and volunteers, as well as members and sponsors who make all of this possible. See you at the cinema!”
This year’s SDAFF boasts an impressive lineup of films representing a diverse range of voices from across Asia and the Asian diaspora. Attendees can expect everything from cutting-edge thrillers and anime adaptations to heartwarming dramas and thought-provoking documentaries.
“In our 25th year, we’re in the mood for excitement, horror, anime adaptation, thrillers from Taiwan to Kazakhstan,” says Brian Hu, SDAFF Artistic Director. “The times call for cult heroes like Tura Satana and political firebrands like Nobuko Miyamoto, and we’re here to keep audiences engaged, enraged, and on the edge of their seats.”
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SDAFF 2024 will feature a number of highly anticipated premieres, including the international premiere of the Opening Night film Cells at Work!, a live-action adaptation of the popular anime and manga series. The festival will also host the world premiere of the biopic documentary Tura! spotlighting cult icon Tura Satana, and the international premiere of the Korean romantic comedy Güle-Güle.
In addition to film screenings, SDAFF will offer special events and retrospectives, including screenings of Extremely Unique Dynamic, Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement, and All We Imagine As Light, winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival 2024. The festival will also feature special restorations of iconic films like Lino Brocka’s Bona, Edward Yang’s Mahjong, and Eddie Romero’s cult horror film Beast of the Yellow Night.
Opening, Centerpiece, and Closing Night Films
- Opening Night: Cells At Work! This live-action adaptation follows a high schooler whose blood cells battle pathogens inside her body while she navigates the challenges of teenage life.
- Centerpiece Film: All That We Love starring Margaret Cho. This heartfelt drama explores grief, family, and life’s unexpected turns after the loss of a beloved pet.
- Closing Night Film: New Wave This documentary delves into the rise of new wave music among young Vietnamese refugees in the 1980s.
Don’t Miss the 25th Anniversary Celebration!
With its diverse lineup of films, special events, and filmmaker Q&As, SDAFF 2024 promises to be a memorable celebration of Asian and Asian American cinema. Tickets and passes are available now at sdaff.org.
