Shorts Series #3: Diasporic Perspectives
This program highlights short films from Asian American and Asian Canadian filmmakers whose stories traverse borders, generations, and lived experiences. Through a variety of genres, they represent the evolving narratives of Asian diasporic communities across North America.
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Location: AMC NEWCITY 14
Shorts Series #3: Diasporic Perspectives
Total runtime: 89 minutes
Year of the Dragon
[Official Competition]
Canada | Drama | 2025 | 13 minutes
English and Mandarin with English subtitles
Director: Giran Findlay-Liu
A devoted immigrant mother sets out to deliver a birthday cake for her son, only to be confronted with the harsh realities of his current situation. This intimate drama is a moving love letter to mothers and the sacrifices of immigrant life.
We Were the Scenery
Canada, United States | Documentary | 2025 | 15 minutes
English and Vietnamese with English subtitles
Director: Christopher Radcliff
Powerfully reclaiming stories erased from the master narrative, this documentary tells the story of Hoa Thi Le and Hue Nguyen Che, Vietnamese refugees who were cast as extras in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now.
Mixed Feelings
Canada | Sci-Fi/Comedy | 2025 | 10 minutes
English
Director: Devin Lee
A mixed-race student meets the “full Asian” and “full white” versions of himself from parallel universes and hopes for acceptance… But can he even accept himself? This charming comedy explores identity and belonging through a sci-fi lens.
Loneliness Can Be Murder
United States | Sci-Fi/Comedy | 2025 | 23 minutes
English
Director: Vincent Xiaofei Zeng
An introverted young man struggles to survive after a mysterious global catastrophe causes lonely people to spontaneously explode in this surreal, darkly comedic tale of existential crisis and unexpected friendships.
Glodok ’98
United States | Drama | 2025 | 16 minutes
Indonesian with English subtitles
Director: Nicholas Tjen
During Jakarta’s 1998 crisis, convenience store owner Asiung struggles to protect his pregnant wife amid financial hardship and a destructive riot. As tragedy closes in, he discovers unexpected meaning in helping a young boy.
Tenderness
[Official Competition]
Canada | Drama | 2024 | 28 minutes
Korean with English subtitles
Director: Helen Lee
As 16-year-old Yumi braces for an awkward encounter with her father’s new girlfriend, the unfolding Sewol Ferry disaster transforms her personal story of youthful love into a powerful reflection on the enduring legacy of a national tragedy.