Visual Communications Presents
39th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
May 4-13, 2023
LAAPFF 2023 Lineup Celebrates Native Hawaiian, Pasifika, Indigenous Voices, and Artists Across the Asian American and Asian Diaspora Communities
Commemorating 20th Year Since Passing of Founding Executive Director Linda Mabalot With Filmmaker Wellness Programming
April 6, 2023 (Los Angeles, CA) – Visual Communications (VC) announced today the lineup for their 39th edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. The annual showcase for Asian American, Native Hawaian, Pacific Islander, diasporic and Asian international cinema returns May 4 to May 13 with in-person programming slated to take place in Little Tokyo, Gardena Cinemas, and Regal L.A. Live, along with online programming.
On May 4, the Festival will kick off with a community celebration party at the Japanese American National Museum, followed by Opening Night programming on May 5th with the World Premiere of ARMED WITH A CAMERA VOL. 2023 (AWC). This year, AWC will feature six short films produced by Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander artists, in reflection of VC’s renewed commitment to uplifting Native Hawaiian and Pasifika stories.
“As an organization, we recognize deeply that in order for us to build collective power we must in tandem confront issues that divide us; that privilege some parts of our own community over others and render our Indigenous relations invisible. In our growing practice to challenge definitions and boundaries, we’re always examining what we can do better,” shares Visual Communications Executive Director, Francis Cullado. “We’re honored to center Native Hawaiian and Pasifika artists in the 2023 edition of AWC as well as our Pacific Cinewaves program. This is a continuation of our intentions from early works like OMAI FAʻATASI: SAMOA MO SAMOA and NA PUA O LAKA, and a renewed commitment to uplift and amplify Indigenous storytellers in spaces where Asian-American artists may historically hold privilege. We have to amplify artists who utilize media to preserve cultural traditions and present diasporic stories if we are being earnest in our efforts to truly build community and collective power.”
In addition to AWC VOL. 2023, the Festival will feature several programs reflecting Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous perspectives to amplify the contemporary storytelling of Indigenous Peoples that universally connects all of us.
