10 Short Films Exploring the AAPI Experience

Directed by Adam Prieto

Exploring the profound journey of Japanese-American painter Chiura Obata, this documentary delves into the life and legacy of an extraordinary artist. Born in Japan and emigrating to the U.S. in 1903, Obata became renowned for his breathtaking Sierra Nevada landscapes. His artistry faced a grave challenge during World War II when he, his family, and 120,000 people were unjustly incarcerated in concentration camps. Despite harsh conditions, Obata’s spirit and creativity remained resilient, documenting the pain, resilience, and hope of those interned. This film celebrates Obata’s enduring contributions to American art and history.

Obata’s Yosemite is screening as part of the “A Field Guide to the Natural World” shorts program, viewable in theaters at 12:15pm on August 11 at Regal Union Square, or online through August 11.

Directed by Grace Hanna

After Tessie’s grandmother, Lola, is diagnosed with dementia, Tessie makes it her mission to save Lola’s memories. Tessie has created a machine that transports her inside Lola’s mind—a majestic library. Every memory is a book, and Tessie is trying to save one very dear to her: a memory of her and her grandma singing karaoke.

Tessie and Lola can keep the memory if they recreate it perfectly. But thwarting their attempts at every turn is Mena, a small AI webcam. Mena is the dementia that’s slowly creeping into Lola’s mind. Will Tessie keep on trying in vain to save her grandmother’s memories? Or learn to accept her grandmother’s dementia?

Lola is screening as part of the “Choose Your Fighter” shorts program, viewable in theaters at 6pm on August 9 at Regal Union Square, or online through August 11.

Directed by Nick Hartanto

An Indonesian boy and his mother attend a church potluck and lie about their dish.

Daly City is screening as part of the “Coloring Outside the Lines” shorts program, viewable online through August 11.

Directed by Sam Kumiko Sheridan

In UME, the focus is on a 17-year-old Japanese American girl navigating life in present-day New York City. Ume discovers she is pregnant and decides to have an abortion. Unlike traditional abortion films that often highlight the challenges of accessing or deciding on abortions, Ume’s obstacles are mostly internal. Her journey involves overcoming the stigma, shame, and fear of disappointment associated with abortion.

At the end of the film, as Ume runs along the river, her arms grow feathers, turning into wings. She lifts upward, the paths ahead multiply—different versions of her future—they stretch out, longer and longer. She closes her eyes, now able to fly blindly, onward.

UME [うめ] or (The Will to Fly Blind) is screening as part of the “How to Live as an Asian Woman in NYC” shorts program, viewable in theaters at 6pm on August 8 at Regal Union Square, or online through August 11.

Directed by Sushma Khadepaun

An unknown writer becomes an overnight media sensation when her public tirade against a finance douche goes viral. Now the voice of #WokeBrooklyn, the dynamics shift with her obnoxious boss, a deranged work rival, and her carefree BFF as the clock ticks on her 15 minutes of fame.

Problematic is screening as part of the “Joke Book” shorts program, viewable online through August 11.

Directed by Chris Zou

Jessica is a Chinese American high schooler studying for a chemistry test late at night. Faced with the immense pressure of perfection, she turns to pills to enhance her study performance. Her actions threaten to jeopardize her relationships with her friends while exploring her tumultuous relationship with her mother.

Muted is screening as part of the “Ones to Watch: Filmmakers Under 21” shorts program, viewable online through August 11.

Directed by Mona Xia and Erin Ramirez

As the biggest Chinese restaurant in the US, Kowloon is a fantasyland that represents the Wong family’s American Dream come true. However, as third-generation owner Bobby Wong and his brothers approach their seventies, they consider the weight of their family and community legacy.

Kowloon! is screening as part of the “Our Favorite Recipes” shorts program, viewable online through August 11.

Directed by Emily Hazelton and Adam Hazelton

Sam—a young woman living on permanent supplemental oxygen—rushes to catch the last bus to L.A. and be healed by a miracle-working televangelist. Leaving without saying goodbye to her sister, Sam makes it halfway when her tank starts leaking: a missing valve, nowhere to be found. With her last twenty bucks, Sam convinces a seedy ride-share driver to take her to an oxygen supply warehouse, where the owner tells her to go home. Abandoned by the seedy driver and armed with only half a twenty dollar bill, Sam runs on foot to the station, her sister desperately on her trail.

American Oxygen is screening as part of the “Rise Up!” shorts program, viewable in theaters at 12:30pm on August 10 at Regal Union Square, or online through August 11.

Directed by Korok Murmu

Shiv, a New York City-based Bengali-American photographer, is sent on an assignment to Kolkata by a Western Stock Footage company to capture the “real” India.

While Shiv wants to show the extraordinary economic growth, wealth, and vibrancy of today’s India, his boss harshly reminds him of the perceptions of India from a Western gaze as being one of Exoticism and Poverty.

What follows is a series of adventures and encounters where Shiv is forced to decide. Will he continue to be “The Monkey” who is being forced to dance to the tune of “The Man”; or the other way round?

The Man and the Monkey is screening as part of the “Roadmap to the Soul” shorts program, viewable online through August 11.