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.

Korean-American sisters and classical musicians, Viv and Gia, struggle to practice a piano and violin duet, as their mother May, reminds them about the importance of harmony.Their bond is tested as adulthood brings conflicting priorities—Gia pursues her musical dreams while Viv chooses to care for their ailing mother.As their mother’s condition suddenly deteriorates, they must overcome their growing resentment in order to find reconciliation through music. Director Eljin Yoo<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/928/049/original/e591a48c97-headshot.jpg?1744056754" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/928/049/thumb/e591a48c97-headshot.jpg?1744056754" width="196"></a> Jinoo Eljin Yoo is a Korean-American filmmaker and violinist, with a B.A. in Film &amp; TV Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Born in the heart of Los Angeles, CA, but nurtured amidst the dynamic landscape of Dubai, UAE, Eljin imparts a unique blend of cultures to his storytelling, revolving around crafting subtle portraits of mysterious worlds, realities, and characters that pulse with visual and narrative poetry, interwoven with ardent social themes that provoke thought in a lyrical manner.

Sonata

A Stranger confronts a Street Photographer for taking his photo without permission.

The Photographer

When a perfectionist teenage Bharatanatyam dancer is denied her Arangatram (recital), she must realize that impeccable technique alone is insufficient, for only a lesson in gratitude and a reevaluation of her relationship with her mother will bring her dance to new heights. Director Harshith Surya Kotni<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/637/769/original/2d76338c11-headshot.jpg?1707880841" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/637/769/thumb/2d76338c11-headshot.jpg?1707880841" width="226"></a> Harshith Kotni, an Indian American Director, Writer, and Producer hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area and now based in LA, is a recent graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. With a focus on Line Producing and UPM roles, his notable achievements include work on the TV pilot "Marvin is Sorry," set to premiere at SXSW, and production coordination for Blink 182's "TURPENTINE" music video. Passionate about illuminating South Asian narratives, Harshith has seamlessly integrated his cultural heritage into various music videos, commercials, and short films. His latest narrative shorts, "Dreamline" and "Prematho," are currently making waves in the festival circuit. Through his projects, Harshith intricately weaves compelling storytelling with his deep love for his culture and upbringing, actively shaping his own creative path.

Prematho

A spoken word poem about sexual assault. Director Biography - Giovannie Espiritu<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/814/567/original/44c50615d8-headshot.jpg?1719373999" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/814/567/thumb/44c50615d8-headshot.jpg?1719373999" width="252"></a> 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 &amp; Karma," with Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Train), Golden Globe nominee Joanna Pacula (Tombstone), Golden Horse nominee Bai Ling (Anna &amp; 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 &amp; 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."

Into The Void

Online - Art in Action Shorts

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Thank&nbsp;you&nbsp;for your generous donation to the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest, a production of CATS (Contemporary Asian Theater Scene), a non profit 501c3. EIN: 77-0402633 Thank&nbsp;You,Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest<a href="https://www.svapfilmfest.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.svapfilmfest.org</a>

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