8 Film Shorts: Fruit Tart, Patakha, Whitewashed, Showtime, Ikigai, Minasan - San Jose Japantown's Third Space, NANI, Victoria This inspiring collection of AAPI short films celebrates the courage it takes to live authentically. From personal journeys of self-discovery to bold expressions of identity, these stories highlight resilience, vulnerability, and the strength found in embracing one’s true self. Together, they honor the bravery it takes to stand tall, be seen, and be unapologetically you.

While embarking on a lonely journey home after missing her train, a girl's insecurities manifest in the form of a talking fruit tart. Director Biography - Caitlyn Phu<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/953/071/original/fd0bc3a60e-headshot.jpg?1734682799" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/953/071/thumb/fd0bc3a60e-headshot.jpg?1734682799" width="230"></a> Caitlyn Phu is an Asian-American writer and director based in Los Angeles. A recent graduate of Chapman University's Dodge College, Caitlyn specializes in music videos, comedy shorts, and occasionally making her parents proud.

Fruit Tart

Radha, an 11-year-old girl in rural India, loses her school bag on her first day of work at a firecracker factory. Patakha follows her journey to retrieve it — and the hope for the future that has been taken away. Director Rohit Relan<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/921/685/original/aabb32db5a-headshot.jpg?1748157413" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/921/685/thumb/aabb32db5a-headshot.jpg?1748157413" width="186"></a> Rohit Relan is a writer/director from Mumbai, India, based in Los Angeles, with a deep interest in exploring identity, culture, and self-discovery through his characters. An AFI Directing ’24 graduate, his films often focus on individuals facing despair yet finding a glimmer of hope to keep going. This thematic exploration has earned him recognition at film festivals worldwide, and his AFI thesis was supported by the Bridge-Larson Foundation Scholarship. He is a 2025 participant of the Storylines Lab at Cine Qua Non Labs. Having also worked as an Assistant Director on mainstream Hindi films and Netflix shows, Relan is committed to bringing South Asian and unique narratives to a global audience, sparking conversation and inspiring

Patakha

In this coming-of-age dramedy, a Chinese American boy named Justin is humiliated on the first day of Chinese class when his white classmate impresses everyone with fluent Mandarin. Struggling with shame and identity, Justin confronts his mother about never learning the language, only to uncover the quiet sacrifices she made to help him fit in. Through a heartfelt moment over a simple family dinner, Justin receives a long-kept Chinese name — Wu Ming — and begins to reclaim a culture he thought he’d lost. Director Brandon Woo<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/212/613/original/a3884db4a3-headshot.jpg?1749793097" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/212/613/thumb/a3884db4a3-headshot.jpg?1749793097" width="220"></a> Brandon Woo is a director and storyteller based in both Los Angeles and the Bay Area, passionate about capturing emotional nuance and authenticity on screen. Currently studying Film and Television Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Brandon blends personal experiences with a strong visual style to explore themes of identity, grief, and cultural connection.

Whitewashed

Feeling like an outsider in his Chinese class, a third-generation Chinese American confronts his mother about why she never taught him Mandarin.

On the day of her first live performance, a singer's day turns upside down when a simple ask from her mom spirals out of control and she struggles to balance her day job and her dreams. Director Vivek Menon<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/059/315/original/a090d784f8-headshot.jpg?1750359004" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/059/315/thumb/a090d784f8-headshot.jpg?1750359004" width="196"></a> Vivek Menon is a New York City–based filmmaker telling comedic, heart-driven stories that spotlight minority characters in unexpected situations. A UCLA graduate with a Film/Television minor, he began directing with a four-episode sitcom web series co-created with his father, released on YouTube in 2023. He wrote and directed his debut short film, Showtime, the following year.

Showtime

Ikigai follows Mayumi, a 9-year-old girl, as she tries to find balance in her Japanese identity and American nationality. Hanako, her mother who celebrates their culture through Nihon Buyo, sees Mayumi‚Äôs new school as an opportunity to share their culture with the white students. When Mayumi is assigned a show-and-tell presentation, she takes it as a chance to prove to her classmates that she is not that different from them. But, that plan is soon ruined when Hanako unexpectedly shows up and teaches the class a Japanese dance, embarrassing and exposing Mayumi‚Äôs cultural background. After coming home ashamed of her mother and Japanese identity, Mayumi receives guidance from her parents that motivates her to return to school and redo her show and tell in a way that would make her ancestors proud. Director Maren Emiko Elardo<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/659/002/original/a7e9fcda69-headshot.jpg?1709067008" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/659/002/thumb/a7e9fcda69-headshot.jpg?1709067008" width="236"></a> Maren Emiko Elardo is a Japanese-Italian American filmmaker from San Jose, California. Graduating in under three years, Maren is a recent alumna from California State University, Northridge, specializing in Film Production with a focus in editing, complemented by a minor in Photography &amp; Video.Her journey into creative expression began by collaborating with her two older sisters, crafting stop-motion Barbie films, music videos, and imaginative skits for her family to enjoy. As she transitioned into middle school, Maren found herself immersed in class projects, frequently opting for video assignments. Collaborating with classmates and friends, she discovered the sheer enjoyment of video production and realized its potential as a career path. Delving into storytelling through video formats, she relished the ability to stir emotions in her audience. Maren's videos eventually reached diverse settings such as school assemblies, sports team banquets, corporate software company meetings, and cherished family gatherings.She hopes that her diligent work ethic and diverse talents will be woven into her life's work, leaving a positive and impactful legacy that resonates with a broader audience beyond her peers. Her passion extends to elevating Japanese American stories and nurturing creative opportunities for fellow artists, a testament to her profound dedication and alignment with her ikigai. In January of 2023, Maren's script "Ikigai" was selected by California State University, Northridge's Cinema and Television Arts film program, earning her the esteemed Golden Globe Foundation Fellowship. In her debut as both a writer and director, “Ikigai” highlights a Japanese American narrative inspired by the childhood experiences of Mayumi Elardo, Maren’s mother.

Ikigai

Brendan and his friends started a shop in San Jose’s historic Japantown called Minasan. What began as a 3-month lease became something bigger than what they had imagined. While Brendan gives you a tour of his favorite spots around the area, hear about why it’s significant for Minasan to be part of Japantown and what they’re doing to build and nurture a community third space. Director Jason Leung<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/284/616/original/f7d056f681-headshot.jpg?1750287405" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/284/616/thumb/f7d056f681-headshot.jpg?1750287405" width="198"></a> Jason Leung is a freelance photographer and videographer specializing in food, product, and event photography for small businesses and nonprofits. He also creates short documentaries, event recaps, and food recipe videos.

Minasan – San Jose Japantown's Third Space

As Ramadan draws to a close, a young woman returns home, stirring up buried tensions and unspoken truths that refuse to stay in the past. Director Mainak Dhar<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/001/893/778/original/a1418e4a50-headshot.jpg?1721665219" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/001/893/778/thumb/a1418e4a50-headshot.jpg?1721665219"></a> Mainak Dhar is an Emmy Award-winning editor with a broad-ranging portfolio that includes movie trailers, documentary features, social media content, branded projects, and narrative films. Alongside his editing work, he has created his own films, which have been showcased at festivals around the world. His feature film, 417 Miles, premiered at the prestigious Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) to critical acclaim. Currently, Mainak is involved in several notable projects, including a sports documentary on the US cricket Team, a narrative feature set in Mumbai, and two U.S.-based narrative films(One of them is a Feature version of NANI).

NANI

Victoria calls her mom. Director Arsenio Salvante Arsenio Salvante is a filmmaker from Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s School of Cinematic Arts in the fall of 2020. He’ll be attending Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in the fall of 2025 to begin his MFA in film directing.

Victoria

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