San Diego Asian Film Festival
Founded in 2000, the festival has grown to become the largest exhibition of Asian cinema in the western United States, showcasing more than 130 films from 20 different countries each year with a variety of genres including action, comedies, rom-coms, documentaries, animation, Asia-pop, and family-friendly fare.
SDAFF also brings West Coast and world premieres of films from around the world to San Diego as well as Q&A sessions and meet-and greets with filmmakers, producers, and actors. Scheduled to appear are Ken Jeong (Hangover, Dr. Ken), Randall Park (The Interview, Fresh Off the Boat), Eugene Lee Yang (BuzzFeed), Aaron Yoo (21, Nick and Noah’s Infinite Playlist), Ravi Kapoor (Crossing Jordan), and Leonardo Nam (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Fast and the Furious).
Films and programs take place over 10 days at 5 venues. The festival’s home base is UltraStar Mission Valley at Hazard Center, with opening and closing night films at the Sherwood Auditorium at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, programs at UCSD’s Calit2 and the Museum of Photographic Arts at Balboa Park, and closing day on November 14 at the La Paloma in Encinitas. Film screenings are $12; opening/centerpiece/closing night films $15.