This dynamic collection of AAPI short films celebrates the transformative power of art in all its forms. From dance and visual arts to music, performance, and creative activism, these stories showcase how artists use their craft to express ideas, challenge norms, and inspire change. Together, the films highlight the courage, creativity, and energy that fuel both personal expression and community impact.
A spoken word poem about sexual assault.
Director Biography - Giovannie Espiritu
Giovannie Espiritu's identity is inherently political: A bisexual, once-undocumented immigrant Filipina mom who spent time in a Biblical doomsday cult as a teen.
Her first short film, "Ultra-Feminist," got an Honorable Mention at Outfest:Fusion, and her second film, "ALLY 3000," won over 12 awards at film festivals mainly in scriptwriting and social justice. Her third short film, "Legacy," won a 2023 Silver Telly, the Hyundai Evolve Innovation Award and was shown in several exhibits including the New Americans Museum and the OutMuseum. Most of her work has taken aim at dismantling the patriarchy, healing generational trauma, and exposing systems of bias with humor.
She just finished writing and directing the feature film, "Love & Karma," with Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Train), Golden Globe nominee Joanna Pacula (Tombstone), Golden Horse nominee Bai Ling (Anna & the King), starring Filipino talent Belinda Panelo and Jojo Riguerra.
An actor herself, she was once nominated alongside Academy Award nominees Alfre Woodard and Amy Irving for Best Supporting Actress, but she didn't know what to do with that information other than put it on her business card.
In her spare time, she rock climbs and advocates for Domestic Violence Awareness/Prevention and LGBTQ equality. She has served on the Board of Directors for C.O.R.A. (a Bay Area domestic violence hotline and agency), volunteered at ALLICE, and awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Senate and California Assembly for her community service.
In 2021, she was recognized as one of 23 "Most Influential Filipina Women in the World" in the Innovator & Thought Leader category by the Filipina Women's Network.
Her IRL and reel life mantra is to "Break Hearts Wide Open and Create More Moments of Joy."
This dynamic collection of AAPI short films celebrates the transformative power of art in all its forms. From dance and visual arts to music, performance, and creative activism, these stories showcase how artists use their craft to express ideas, challenge norms, and inspire change. Together, the films highlight the courage, creativity, and energy that fuel both personal expression and community impact.
A spoken word poem about sexual assault.
Director Biography - Giovannie Espiritu
Giovannie Espiritu's identity is inherently political: A bisexual, once-undocumented immigrant Filipina mom who spent time in a Biblical doomsday cult as a teen.
Her first short film, "Ultra-Feminist," got an Honorable Mention at Outfest:Fusion, and her second film, "ALLY 3000," won over 12 awards at film festivals mainly in scriptwriting and social justice. Her third short film, "Legacy," won a 2023 Silver Telly, the Hyundai Evolve Innovation Award and was shown in several exhibits including the New Americans Museum and the OutMuseum. Most of her work has taken aim at dismantling the patriarchy, healing generational trauma, and exposing systems of bias with humor.
She just finished writing and directing the feature film, "Love & Karma," with Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Train), Golden Globe nominee Joanna Pacula (Tombstone), Golden Horse nominee Bai Ling (Anna & the King), starring Filipino talent Belinda Panelo and Jojo Riguerra.
An actor herself, she was once nominated alongside Academy Award nominees Alfre Woodard and Amy Irving for Best Supporting Actress, but she didn't know what to do with that information other than put it on her business card.
In her spare time, she rock climbs and advocates for Domestic Violence Awareness/Prevention and LGBTQ equality. She has served on the Board of Directors for C.O.R.A. (a Bay Area domestic violence hotline and agency), volunteered at ALLICE, and awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Senate and California Assembly for her community service.
In 2021, she was recognized as one of 23 "Most Influential Filipina Women in the World" in the Innovator & Thought Leader category by the Filipina Women's Network.
Her IRL and reel life mantra is to "Break Hearts Wide Open and Create More Moments of Joy."