26th San Diego Asian Film Festival: Celebrating Stories, Identity, and Community
By Cesar A Reyes
When Alex Villafuerte talks about the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF), you can hear the pride in his voice. As the Executive Director of Pacific Arts Movement (affectionately known as “Pac Arts”) Alex leads the nonprofit that brings this incredible ten-day celebration of film, culture, and identity to life every year.
Running from November 6 to 15, the 26th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival is one of the largest showcases of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander films in the country. Screenings will take place at UltraStar Mission Valley, UC San Diego’s Price Center, AMC UTC, La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas, and Southwestern College in Chula Vista. Whether you’re a lifelong film buff or just looking for something new, this is the kind of event that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll.
Pac Arts has a simple but powerful mission: to present stories that inspire, entertain, and build a more compassionate society through the power of cinema. Year-round, they’re busy championing Asian and Pacific Islander media through not just the festival, but also community programs, film education, and their Spring Showcase.
As a queer Filipino man, Alex has a special connection to the festival’s LGBTQ lineup, which has become one of SDAFF’s most popular features. “I’m especially proud that SDAFF continues to feature a strong and diverse LGBTQ lineup each year,” he says. This year’s highlights include Summer’s Camera by Divine Sung and 3670 by Park Joonho—both from South Korea—as well as Fucktoys by Annapurna Sriram from the U.S. And of course, the LGBTQ Shorts Program, curated by Michael Chen, remains a fan favorite that always draws big crowds and heartfelt conversations. You can check out the full lineup and showtimes at sdaff.org/2025/guides/lgbtq.
Before joining Pac Arts, Alex worked with San Diego Pride, where he helped bring the LGBTQ Shorts Program to wider audiences. “The festival means a lot to me because these stories deserve to be seen—our stories matter,” he shares. For him, creating spaces where queer Asian and Pacific Islander stories can shine isn’t just about visibility, it’s about belonging. “Too often, spaces weren’t built for us,” he adds. “So carving out intentional spaces in theaters where we can take up space and see ourselves reflected on screen is powerful.”
Representation is at the heart of what SDAFF does. “If we excluded queer stories,” Alex says, “we wouldn’t be showing the full breadth of our Asian and Pacific Islander communities.” When people see themselves on screen, it reminds them that their experiences are valued and that they’re part of something bigger.
Want to get involved? There are tons of ways. You can become a Pac Arts member, volunteer, or simply buy a ticketand experience the magic yourself. Members even get access to exclusive screenings, like this year’s early showing of The Wedding Banquet by Andrew Anh. To stay in the loop, visit sdaff.org or follow @PacArtsMovement on Instagram and Letterboxd.
And when asked what “The WORD” is this year, Alex doesn’t hesitate: EQUITY. Because at its core, that’s what SDAFF is all about: making sure everyone’s story gets the chance to shine on the big screen.