DC ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SLATE FOR 2026
The 24th edition of the festival will run July 16-19 exclusively in theaters
Program highlights new and repertory films from AAPI artists, including the 10th anniversary screening of SPA NIGHT with Andrew Ahn
The festival will include a convening of AAPI film festivals from across the U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC — The DC Asian Pacific Film Festival (DCAPAFF) announced its full lineup for the 24th edition, which runs from July 16-19 in Washington, DC and Silver Spring, MD. This year’s program explores the intersection of indigenous and AANHPI diaspora communities and features new and repertory films, some of which rarely screen for the public. All screenings will be followed by Q&As.
The festival opens with the Documentary Shorts Program, “This ___Brought Us Together,” featuring works created in solidarity between Native American and Asian American filmmakers, and closes with MOLOKA’I BOUND, a narrative feature that follows a Native Hawaiian man’s longing for the place that is home. Additional program highlights include HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER, the first narrative written, directed and produced by Japanese Americans and the 10th anniversary screening of SPA NIGHT, Andrew Ahn’s (THE WEDDING BANQUET, FIRE ISLAND) mesmerizing debut feature. SPA NIGHT will be preceded by DOL, Ahn’s short film that screened at DCAPAFF in 2012.
This year’s festival is also a collaboration with several AANHPI film organizations – Asian Cinevision, Center for Asian American Media, Hawai'i International Film Festival, Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation and Visual Communications– to create a singular screening program in Washington, DC.
”In addition, we have invited participation from the AAPI Film Festival Organizers and Programmers Collaborative to assist in our program and co-present, here in our Capitol, the accomplished works of AANHPI film creatives from across the nation.”
Screenings will take place at Alamo Drafthouse DC Bryant Street, Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market and AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. All the films in the DCAPAFF program are eligible for the Audience Award.
To view the full program or purchase tickets, visit https://dcapafilm.eventive.org/schedule For more information about DC Asian Pacific Film Festival and APA Film, visit https://www.apafilm.org/.
2026 DC APA FILM FESTIVAL FULL SLATE
OPENING NIGHT - Thursday, July 16 at Alamo Drafthouse DC Bryant Street
Documentary Shorts Program - “This ___ Brought Us Together”
CARLISLE 200
Directors: Guarina Lopez, Sanjana Sekhar, Erin Joy Nash
USA, 2023, 26 min., English, Documentary
Cyclists, Guarina Lopez (Pascua Yaqui) and Tsinnijinnie Russell (Diné) embark on a 200-mile prayer ride from Washington, D.C. to the cemetery at the Carlisle Indian Boarding School. They ride to honor and remember the 186-189 child ancestors who are known to have been buried there. They ride to bring attention to the dark history of the Indian boarding school system and serve as a call for the approximately 138 children who continue to await their returns home. In person: Director Guarina Lopez
WAYS OF KNOWING
Director: Kayla Briët
USA, 2025, 22 min., English and Diné bizaad, Documentary
After decades of uranium mining, community members detail the destruction of extraction, and come together in Dinétah to repair and commune, applying traditional ecological knowledge to the practice of healing. Originally shot as a 360° immersive documentary. In person: Producer Sunny Dooley
WILD HOGS AND SAFFRON
Director: Andy Sarjahani
USA, 2023, 18 min., Documentary
Two long-time friends, one Iranian American, one Native American, come together for a hog hunt, a meal and conversation. In person: Director Andy Sarjahani
THE CUSTODIAN
Director: Khaula Malik
USA, 2026, 25 min., English, Documentary
Pakistani American, Samu Qureshi, superfan of the Washington, DC NFL team, attempts to sell his collection of memorabilia to please his wife, sure up his finances, and move on to greener pastures. Aside from the practical challenges, the push and pull between belonging and understanding make the work even harder. In person: Director Khaula Malik and Producer Colleen Thurston
KENJI
Director: Billy Luther
USA, 2025, 12 min., Silent with Musical score and English titles, Documentary
From the salt-water islands of active volcanoes to the desert landscapes of volcanoes now quiet, Kenji Kawano moves to find home. In Person: Documentary Subject Kenji Kawano
Opening Night party to follow at metrobar (640 Rhode Island Ave NE, DC)
CENTERPIECE SCREENING - Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market
SPA NIGHT
Director: Andrew Ahn
USA, 2016, 93 min., English and Korean with English subtitles, Narrative
In avoidance of crippling pressures from his immigrant family, David finds part-time work in a Korean spa. In the steam and water, he learns there is a place for him to acknowledge and explore his own sexuality. In person: Director Andrew Ahn
preceded by:
Dol (First Birthday)
Director: Andrew Ahn
USA, 2011, 12 min., English and Korean with English subtitles, Narrative
Nick struggles with the pressure of keeping his two families apart: his Korean Christian parents and his loving and long-suffering partner Brian.
Center piece screening to be followed by Karaoke at Singing Tiger (422 New York Ave NE, DC)
CLOSING NIGHT FILM AND RECEPTION - AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
MOLOKA’I BOUND
Director: Alika Tengan
USA, 2024, 112 min., English and Japanese with English subtitles, Narrarive
Kainoa, released from prison but confined by law to the island of Oahu, struggles to malama pono, malama ‘ohana. Will restoring ancestral connections to Moloka’i heal what is broken inside him? In person: Director Alika Tengan
A reception to follow at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
MAIN PROGRAM - Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market
HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER
Directors: Robert Nakamura and Duane Kubo
USA, 1980, 86 min., English and Japanese with English subtitles, Narrative
The first feature narrative written, directed and produced by Asian Americans Hito Hata: Raise the Banner this is the first known screening of the film in Washington, DC! Aging issei (first-generation Japanese American), Oda, recounts his life, an American history from an Asian American perspective: from the transcontinental railroad, into the Japanese American concentration camps, to his later life joining with community members standing against social injustice. In person: Co-Director: Duane Kubo
HOOP LIKE THIS
Director: Shubhangi Shekhar
USA, 2026, 95 min., English and Punjabi with English subtitles, Documentary
For the first time ever, players from around the world, all of Indian descent, come together to form the pro exhibition team Indian Rising for the ESPN The Basketball Tournament (TBT). In person: Director Shubhangi Shekhar
KAHO'OLAWE ALOHA 'ĀINA
Directors: Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina
USA, 1982, 57 min., English and Olelo Hawai'i, Documentary
Kaho'olawe Aloha 'Āina, focuses on the cultural, political and military significance of the little-known "target island" of Kaho'olawe in the Hawaiian archipelago. The Hawaiian term aloha 'āina refers to love of the land, the basis of Hawaiian cultural belief and the force that animates the current movement to bring the island back to life. In person: ʻĀnela Evans, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana Representative
REMANTHAU: PEOPLE OF THE OCEAN
Director: Dan Lin
USA, 2025, 75 min., English, Documentary
Marine biologist Nicole Yamase, is the first Micronesian to explore the Challenger Deep, the bottommost depths of the Marianas Trench. Pressures of the job, pressures to represent, pressure from being the first weigh down on the young scientist who finds solace, science, knowledge and understanding in her people - past, present and future. In person: Writer/Producer Anne Quidez
TRACES OF HOME
Director: Colette Ghunim
USA, 2026, 93 min. English and Spanish and Arabic with English subtitles , Documentary
In response to a confining and confusing childhood, filmmaker Colette Ghunim forces her parents to return to the places of their own traumatic childhoods, her father to Sayed, Palestine, her mother to Mexico City, Mexico, to heal themselves and perhaps break the bonds of intergenerational trauma. In person: Director Colette Ghunim
Join the filmmaking team for a free Somatic Workshop following the screening. Utilizing a grounding toolkit of practice to reconnect mind and body, together participants will reflect and restore to help deepen their individual healing journeys.
YELLOW ROSE
Director: Diane Paragas
USA, 2019, 94 min., English, Narrative
Undocumented Filipina 17-year-old Rose (Eva Noblezada), has her path to country music stardom violently interrupted when her mother is picked up by immigration. In person: Director Diane Paragas
ABOUT DC APA FILM FESTIVAL
The mission of the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival is to bring attention to the creative output from Asian Pacific American (APA) communities and encourage the artistic development of APA talent, arts, and films in the greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Region.
ABOUT APA FILM
DC Asian Pacific American Film was established to be the beacon of creative output of Asian and Asian American media arts through community outreach, social media platforms, collaborative efforts with other Asian Pacific American organizations, and a film festival. Learn more about our programs at apafilm.org and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/apafilm, Instagram.com/dc_apafilm, and Twitter.com/apafilm.
CONTACT:
Renée Tsao, DCAPAFF, renee@apafilm.org
