14th Annual

Seattle Asian American Film Festival

In Person May 29-31, 2026 / Virtual June 1-7, 2026

Official Poster - SAAFF 2026

Join us this May for a weekend of films, filmmaker conversations, and celebrations highlighting pan-Asian American stories.

2026 Theme

Fate / Interconnectedness

Our theme represents how the Asian diaspora is connected. In the Asian American diaspora, many aspects of our identities, such as beliefs and traditions, overlap despite different cultures and languages.

SAAFF 2026 Award Winners

Every year, our community and our team spotlight the films that stay with us most. Meet this year's award winners.

Third Act Audience Choice Best Feature winner at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival 2026, Third Act directed by Tadashi Nakamura. Two men stand before a memorial monument with mountains in the background.
Bridging Our Stories Audience Choice Best Short winner at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival 2026, Bridging Our Stories directed by Rafael Bitanga. Two women in colorful traditional Filipino dress dance together.
Chowmein Holiday Festival Best Emerging Filmmaker Award winner at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival 2026, Chowmein Holiday directed by Iris Lanhua Ma. Two women sit across from each other in a diner booth.

Congratulations to all three of our 2026 honorees, and thank you to everyone who watched, voted, and celebrated with us this year.

Read More About the Winners

Opening Night Celebration
Date
Friday, May 29
Venue
Wing Luke Museum
Doors
8:30 PM

Join us for an after-hours celebration at the Wing Luke Museum following the Opening Night screening. Explore the museum's collection on the culture, art, and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, then stay for a night of music and community hosted by Seattle drag artist Viper Fengz, with performances by Japanese and Laotian indie pop/R&B artist Slone and DJ sets from DJ Magic Sean.

Event Details

Films and Programs

SAAFF 2026 brings together features, shorts programs, and live conversations with filmmakers over three days in Seattle. Every screening includes a Q&A session after the film, so you are not just watching, you are part of the conversation. Browse what is showing below and grab your tickets before they sell out.

Featured
Closing Night: Third Act, w/ The Last Resort
May 31
Closing Night: Third Act, w/ The Last Resort

For our closing program, please join us as we contemplate about the legacy of the generation before us, and the responsibility they leave to us in this program about aging, end of life, and passing on one’s legacy.

Year of the Cat, w/ Harvest Party at Camp Two
May 31
Year of the Cat, w/ Harvest Party at Camp Two

There are some family stories we never really know about. That is, until we ask the right questions. From a mythical party in rural central California, to a family secret left behind an ocean away in Saigon, join two documentary filmmakers as they unravel their fathers’ secrets. 

Mouse, w/ Ran Som
May 30
Mouse, w/ Ran Som

Crime does not pay… sometimes. In this program, explore two intriguing stories of downtrodden antiheroes who simply want better lives for themselves, see the injustices in their community, and try to act out the only way they know how to.

Occupational Hazards (Shorts Program)
May 30
Occupational Hazards (Shorts Program)

Thank you for your interest in working as an Asian in America. We are so proud of your contributions to this country. Your hard work has greatly benefited and helped sustain this global empire of capitalism and conquest. As long as you follow our rules, you won't have to worry about any of the occupational hazards. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact HR.

The Road to Sydney, w/ After What Happened At the Library
May 30
The Road to Sydney, w/ After What Happened At the Library

What does it mean to be queer, trans, and Asian in America today? At a time when our identities are being aggressively erased and our voices are being silenced, this program features two stories of individual who chose to stand up and let their truth shine.

In Search of Us (FREE Shorts Program)
May 30
In Search of Us (FREE Shorts Program)

We are all looking for someplace to belong. Sometimes we look for it in our family. Sometimes we look for it in ourselves. This series of endearing, heartwarming, and witty short films explore what it means to be in search of us.

Opening Night Celebration
May 29
Opening Night Celebration

Join us for our very special opening night program featuring films that celebrate culture, heritage, community, and legacy. From Ketchikan to Vancouver and back home here in Seattle, celebrate the community vanguards keeping our arts and cultural heritage alive.

Opening Night: Spring After Spring, w/ Bridging Our Stories
May 29
Opening Night: Spring After Spring, w/ Bridging Our Stories

Join us for our very special opening night program featuring films that celebrate culture, heritage, community, and legacy. From Ketchikan to Vancouver and back home here in Seattle, celebrate the community vanguards keeping our arts and cultural heritage alive.

Watch the SAAFF 2026 Trailer

Who Are We

SAAFF is the only film festival to provide a space for pan-Asian American voices, perspectives, and histories told through multimedia arts in Seattle. Our volunteer-run organization empowers and uplifts Asian American creatives and builds community connections through our annual festival and other year-round events. We aim to be a platform that broadens the understanding of our community’s stories through elevating independent films that reflect the diversity and richness of Asian Americana and Asian diasporas.

Learn More About SAAFF

Our Sponsors

SAAFF 2026 is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and partners who believe in the power of pan-Asian American stories.

We are deeply grateful to every organization and partner making this festival possible.

Silver Sponsor

Grants

Community Partners

Media Sponsors

Hotel Sponsor

In-Kind Sponsor

Fiscal Sponsor

Thank You to Our 2026 Team

SAAFF is a volunteer-run festival. Every film you see, every event you attend, and every conversation you have exists because of these people.

Aaron Yeung
Aditi Nagpal
Adrian Alarilla
Ahnya Waldeck
Amanda Kang
Brett Kodama
Christina Chan
Ellie Kwak
Ellison Shieh
Eseel Borlasa
Fahima Ahmed

Grace Go
Hannah Villanueva
Ian Teodoro
Jackie Susanto
Jade Jiaxue
Jaymica Rapisura
Jenny Ho
Jenny Ma
Joann Chang
Jolin Tran
Karissa Maeda

Katherine Ichinose
Kerensa Suzara
Kyra Chhiu-Lim
Lahari Nidadavolu
Leilani Nishime
Lena Schiffler
Lily Hahm
Lina Truong
Mandy Sun
Martin Tran
Max Goldschmidt

Meagan Milca
Mia Van Inwegen
Michelle-Anne Quevenco
Mike Talplacido
Ngoc Nguyen Gia Phan
Robyn Kwok
Victoria Ju
Vinaayak Selvamuthu
William Ju
Yatong Wang