This collection of AAPI short films highlights the power of connection and community, reminding us that we are never alone in our journeys. Through stories of family, friendship, resilience, and solidarity, these films celebrate the ties that bind us and the strength we find when we come together. Each short offers a unique lens, yet together they reflect a shared truth: we’re in this together.
Areum (which means 'beautiful' in Korean) is fixated on her physical appearance. She is convinced her monolidded eyes are why she is 'unpretty,' especially in comparison with her longtime best friend, Jane (as in plain Jane), who has double-lidded eyes and is so beautiful that she could be mistaken for a K-Pop idol. Areum tries to work through her insecurities with her therapist, Helen. But when a man humiliates Areum in front of Jane, Areum has to decide whether to finally face a long-festering sore spot and see her own value or let her friendship with Jane deteriorate.
NOTE: When watching the film, please view with captions on as some parts of the film include Korean language.
Director Biography - Hanah Chang
Hanah Chang is a Korean-American actor and writer, who, after years of denying that she had any creativity within her, landed her first on-screen credit in the Netflix karaoke game show, ‘Sing On!’ She also played the lead in the short film, 'Don’t Worry About It,' which screened at SlamDance and Micheaux. As a proud member of the multi-hyphenate club, Hanah wrote, directed, and acted in her short, 'I Wish I Were Pretty,' which navigates how to deal with Korean beauty standards. She has the privilege to teach visual storytelling to students through SeriesFest’s Mobile Cinema Lab and volunteers regularly with Sophia Chang’s Unlock Her Potential and Joey Bada$$’s ImpactMENtorship programs, which provide mentorship to people of color in the entertainment industry. A strong believer in indie film and TV, Hanah is dedicated to increasing authenticity, diversity, and representation both in front of and behind the camera.
This collection of AAPI short films highlights the power of connection and community, reminding us that we are never alone in our journeys. Through stories of family, friendship, resilience, and solidarity, these films celebrate the ties that bind us and the strength we find when we come together. Each short offers a unique lens, yet together they reflect a shared truth: we’re in this together.
Areum (which means 'beautiful' in Korean) is fixated on her physical appearance. She is convinced her monolidded eyes are why she is 'unpretty,' especially in comparison with her longtime best friend, Jane (as in plain Jane), who has double-lidded eyes and is so beautiful that she could be mistaken for a K-Pop idol. Areum tries to work through her insecurities with her therapist, Helen. But when a man humiliates Areum in front of Jane, Areum has to decide whether to finally face a long-festering sore spot and see her own value or let her friendship with Jane deteriorate.
NOTE: When watching the film, please view with captions on as some parts of the film include Korean language.
Director Biography - Hanah Chang
Hanah Chang is a Korean-American actor and writer, who, after years of denying that she had any creativity within her, landed her first on-screen credit in the Netflix karaoke game show, ‘Sing On!’ She also played the lead in the short film, 'Don’t Worry About It,' which screened at SlamDance and Micheaux. As a proud member of the multi-hyphenate club, Hanah wrote, directed, and acted in her short, 'I Wish I Were Pretty,' which navigates how to deal with Korean beauty standards. She has the privilege to teach visual storytelling to students through SeriesFest’s Mobile Cinema Lab and volunteers regularly with Sophia Chang’s Unlock Her Potential and Joey Bada$$’s ImpactMENtorship programs, which provide mentorship to people of color in the entertainment industry. A strong believer in indie film and TV, Hanah is dedicated to increasing authenticity, diversity, and representation both in front of and behind the camera.