Boston Asian American Film Fest on Tap at Local Theaters

The 17th annual Boston Asian American Film Festival runs through Oct. 26 with screenings at the Coolidge Corner Theater, the Emerson Paramount Center, the Museum of Science and elsewhere. ArtsEmerson, the main sponsor of the event, says the film festival “empowers Asian Americans through film by showcasing Asian American experiences and serving as a resource to filmmakers and the Greater Boston Community.”

One of the key short documentaries, “Love, Chinatown,” directed by Lukas Dong and featuring Chinatown activist and longtime educator Cynthia Yee and student and Chinatown resident, Gwen Liu, is already sold out, but the Sampan was told another later screening might be planned after the festival. The film will have a virtual screening as well.

In addition to the live screenings, the festival will include six virtual shorts programs: “Across the Divide”, “Building Our Histories”, “My Own Worst Enemy”, “Night Visions”, “Queer & Here”, and “Respect Your Elders”.

Live in-person presentations will also be held, including Ann Marie Fleming’s “Can I Get a Witness?,” which will take place on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Science’s Mugar Omni Theater and will include a talk with filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming and actor Keira Jang.

Tickets range from $15-$20 for each feature film or shorts program or $150 for an All-Access Festival Pass and $60 for the Shorts Pass; tickets can be bought at ArtsEmerson.org, or by calling (617) 824-8400.

Here is the schedule:

“Forge”

Directed by Jing Ai Ng

Thursday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.

Coolidge Corner Theatre

Q&A with Director Jina Ai Ng and actors Brandoo Soohoo and Andie Ju.

The film is set in Miami and tells the story of siblings Raymond and Coco Zhang, who run an art forgery ring. When the Zhangs cross paths with millionaire Holden Beaumont, they’re coerced into creating counterfeit masterpieces as a front for his old American family’s art collection, only to become entangled in a web of deception.

“Love, Chinatown”

Directed by Lukas Dong

Friday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.

Emerson Paramount Center

Includes a talk with the director, Lukas Dong, and Cynthia Yee and Gwen Liu. There is also a virtual offering for the film.

Chinatown resident Cynthia Yee embarks on an open-hearted walking tour of Boston’s historic Chinatown in all its vibrancy — extending a discerning welcome to neighborhood newcomers while boldly confronting the community’s past trauma with the help of an unexpected local compatriot, Gwen.

“The Rose: Come Back to Me”

Directed by Eugene Yi

Friday, Oct. 17, 9 p.m.

Emerson Paramount Center

Include a Q&A with Director Eugene Yi

This is an intimate documentary chronicling the journey of the band, The Rose — from their humble beginnings as a South Korean indie band to their emergence as a global sensation. Through heartfelt moments and honest reflection, the documentary captures how each member fell in love with music, as well as the challenges of navigating the K-pop system.

“Between Goodvibes”

Directed by Jota Mun

Saturday, Oct. 18, 1 p.m.

Emerson Paramount Center

Include a Q&A with Director Jota Mun

The story is about a queer Korean adoptee who visits her original mother in Seoul. Long-held regrets and cultural misunderstandings come to the surface alongside tenderness, humor, and tenacity.

“Rosemead”

Directed by Erin Lin

Saturday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m.

Emerson Paramount Center

Includes a talk with Producer Mynette Louie

This film is about an ailing woman who is stricken by the discovery of her teenage son’s violent obsessions and must go to great lengths to protect him, and possibly others, in this portrait of a Chinese American family. Inspired by true events, the film marks the feature directorial debut of acclaimed cinematographer Eric Lin, and showcases performances by Lucy Liu and newcomer Lawrence Shou.

“Year of the Cat”

Directed by Tony Nguyen

Sunday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m.

Emerson Paramount Center

Includes talk with Director Tony Nguyen

The film follows director Tony Nguyen’s quest to solve the mystery of his father, lost in the chaos of the Fall of Saigon 50 years ago. Crafted as an investigative home movie, this intensely raw documentary weaves together moments of humor and heartache, offering an intimate look at how the children of refugees are shaped by war and loss. As Tony delves into his family’s history, the film reveals the emotional lengths we go to in confronting the past—and the possibility of healing as we reclaim and transform our futures.

“Mustache”

Directed by Imran J. Khan

Sunday, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m.

Emerson Paramount Center

Includes talk with director Imran J. Khan & Actors Rizwan Manji and Melody Cao.

Set in the mid-1990s in Silicon Valley, the film is about Ilyas, a 14-year-old Pakistani-American, who is forced to leave his private Islamic school to attend a public school. Adding to his struggles is a mustache that he has been growing since he was ten, to his chagrin.

“Can I Get a Witness”

Directed by Ann Marie Fleming

Friday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m.

Museum of Science, Mugar Omni Theater

Presented in partnership with Museum of Science

Includes Q&A with Director Ann Marie Fleming and Actor Keira Jang.

Set in the near future, the film shows how we’ve solved all the world’s problems: mitigated climate change, eradicated poverty, achieved true trans-species equality. There’s just one catch... humans have to end life at 50 and teenage artists have to document it.

Shorts Programs, which stream virtually Oct. 17 – Oct. 26 at ArtsEmerson.org are as follows:

“Shorts: Across the Divide”

Across the Divide explores stories of unlikely connections, whether cultural, economic, or even supernatural. These films demonstrate the power of creating new bonds against all odds.

Total Runtime: 83 minutes

“Building Our Histories”

Building Our Histories spotlights stories of creating and maintaining API spaces from Boston’s Chinatown to communities around the globe.

Total Runtime: 74 minutes

“My Own Worst Enemy”

My Own Worst Enemy interrogates the insecurities that we all hold within ourselves and how we can work to overcome (or end up succumbing) to them.

Total Runtime: 78 minutes

“Night Visions”

Night Visions is a showcase of the weird and the wacky, films that don’t easily fit into any one box. These shorts subvert the expectations and surprise audiences at every twist and turn.

Total Runtime: 72 minutes

“Queer and Here”

A staple of every BAAFF season, Queer & Here highlights stories of self-expression and the complexities of identity and intersectionality, beyond orientation among LGBTQIA+ communities and their loved ones

Total Runtime: 83 minutes

“Respect Your Elders”

Respect Your Elders honors our older community members, showing us that our elders still have much to share with the world.

Total Runtime: 75 minutes