2017 Events

In this mixed media theater performance, Emmy-winning musician Mark Izu accompanies his wife and “America’s foremost Asian storyteller” Brenda Wong Aoki to share touching and personal family histories with universal and contemporary appeal. The two acclaimed artists weave memories recorded in a recently discovered family diary with further flourish, story and song tracking over 100 years of history in the American West. From the Transcontinental Railroad, to WWII’s Japanese American internment camps and 442nd Infantry Regiment, to San Francisco hippies and through today. Joined by koto master Shoko Hikage, the performance offer a poignant glimpse of our shared history and demands it not be repeated. This performance will be a 20-minute excerpt out of the larger play, followed by an interactive discussion activity. Buy Tickets Festival Pass

Back by popular demand for the fifth year running, this year’s FREE program of Sci-Fi, Horror, and Action Genre shorts is a non-stop thrill ride. Subjects include female assassins, mythical monsters, and dark animations. Filmmakers are expected to be in attendance. Model Minority Director: Sean Dacanay | 2 mins | USA In response to the cry for more diverse superheroes, Marvel presents… MODEL MINORITY! Aswang Next Door Director: Bernard Badion | 5 mins | USA A man who thinks he’s a Filipino monster that eats fetuses informs his pregnant neighbor. The Pipes Director: Alexander J. Koo | 15 mins | USA A man moves into the home he inherited from a deceased relative, but strange happenings and unsettling encounters with his neighbor make him believe something evil lurks within its walls. Evocation of a Nightmare Director: Wally Chung | 2 mins | USA Entering what seems to be a deserted building, a man explores and finds an unwanted guest. Cowboy and Indian Director: Sujata Day | 8 mins | USA When a young Bengali bride collapses in the desert, a cowboy appears out of the sunset and rescues her. Glorious Victory Director: Will Kim | 2 mins | USA Glorious Victory is a watercolor animated short about two beetles intensely fighting over a fig fruit. The Anniversary Director: Art Chudabala | 10 mins | USA On the night of his wedding anniversary, a tormented widower seeks revenge by kidnapping his wife’s killer… but does he have the right man? Baumu Director: Shao-Chun Chung | 10 mins | Taiwan A female killer takes a contract to assassinate a drug addict. Finding members of his family she faces a moral dilemma. Tickets Festival Pass

Directed by Byron Yee Growing up, Jacob used to spend every Saturday night camping in the desert with his disgraced astronomer father, waiting for the extra-terrestrials to arrive. Now an adult, Jacob continues this tradition alone while his ailing father is in the hospital on his deathbed. One night, a Mexican coyote, Maria, walks into his campsite leading a group of border crossers through the desert. As an unlikely relationship develops, Jacob must choose between his pursuit of the aliens above or the illegal alien that just walked into his life. An engaging and relatable drama that touches upon elements of family obligation and faith in the unknown. Filmmaker Byron Yee expected in attendance for post-film Q&A. Tickets Festival Pass