New York Asian Film Festival Innovators & Icons Soiree

NYAFF Icons & Innovators Soirée is an intimate evening honoring Asian and Asian American leadership in film and culture. Taking place February 5, 2026 at China Institute of America, NYC, the cocktail-style gathering brings together filmmakers, creatives, industry leaders, tastemakers, press, cultural creators, and members of the NYAFF community for conversation, connection, and the launch of the festival’s 25th edition year.

Join NYAFF’s Innovators & Icons Soirée

A spirited gathering celebrating vision, talent, and community. A signature NYAFF blend of discovery, delight, and genuinely good vibes.

Attire: Festive Cocktail

Highlights
Night Market Experience
Cocktail reception-style with Night Market tasting stations from top NYC Asian restaurants, curated beverages, and night-market energy carried by music that moves you. Not a ho-hum dinner!!

7:30pm Fireside Chat — Beyond the Frame: No Filter
- Moderator: Vicky Nguyen, NBC News anchor and Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Gerald Loeb Award-winning investigative journalist.
- Soo Hugh, visionary creator and showrunner of Pachinko, whose groundbreaking multilingual storytelling has reshaped global prestige television.
- Lloyd Lee Choi, filmmaker whose Cannes-selected short Same Old and outstanding debut feature Lucky Lu have garnered major international recognition.
- Kevin Lin, talent and literary agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), representing leading artists including Celine Song, Ashley Park, David Henry Hwang, Leslie Odom, Jr., Danielle Brooks, and Darren Criss.