Asian Pop-Up Cinema Expands Fall Lineup: Three Films Featured at 2025 Mid-Autumn Chinese Film Festival
Chicago, Illinois (September 15, 2025) — Asian Pop-Up Cinema is bringing even more Chinese cinema to this year’s Mid-Autumn Chinese Film Festival, expanding its annual screening into a vibrant three-film mini-festival. On October 11–12, 2025, audiences can experience the best of contemporary Chinese cinema at both the Claudia Cassidy Theater and AMC Newcity 14 in Chicago. Admission is complimentary, but advance RSVP is required at www.asianpopupcinema.org/mid-autumn.
Sponsored by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, the annual ‘Free Movie with Mooncakes’ tradition will treat patrons to complimentary mooncakes following the first screening at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday.
The festival is presented in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival observed by all the Asian communities worldwide. This year’s program reflects the spirit of the season.
"We’re excited to bring even more Chinese cinema to Chicago this fall," said Sophia Wong Boccio, Founder and Executive Director of Asian Pop-Up Cinema. "Each film tells a story of resilience, family, and personal growth, and we’re thrilled to share these journeys with Chicago audiences as we celebrate the beauty and meaning of the autumn moon together."
Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM
Chicago Cultural Center in Claudia Cassidy Theatre (78 E. Washington St)
A SUMMER TRIP - 川流不“熄”
Dir. Keyu Feng
An Official Selection of the Shanghai International Film Festival. A war veteran decides to venture out on his own to attend a funeral of his comrade-in-arms without telling his family. When his grandson sneaks along, a memorable road trip happens amongst a clash between generations.
Writer-director Keyu Feng, a Beijing Film Academy graduate, is known for his contemporary storytelling. His debut short Beauty and the Beast won the Grand Prize at the Zhejiang Microfilm Festival, and his first feature A Summers Trip was showcased at leading international festivals including Osaka and Shanghai, earning multiple awards and nominations.
Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 12:30 PM
AMC NEWCITY 14 (1500 N. Clybourn)
UPSTREAM - 逆行人生
Dir. Xu Zheng
After losing his job, savings, and facing his father’s medical bills, Gao Zhilei (Xu Zheng) becomes a delivery worker, navigating grueling shifts, demanding customers, and fierce app competition. Along the way, he builds deep friendships with fellow couriers—but must ultimately choose between loyalty to them or seizing a chance to rise in the cutthroat business world.
Director Xu Zheng, one of China’s most successful filmmakers, is a renowned director, actor, producer, and screenwriter with over RMB 23 billion in box-office revenue. He is the first Chinese-language filmmaker to direct two films each grossing more than RMB 1 billion. His directing credits include Lost in Thailand (2012), Lost in Hong Kong (2015), and My People, My Homeland (2020), while his producing work includes Dying to Survive (2018), Adoring (2019), and B for Busy (2021).
Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 3:00 PM
I AM WHAT I AM (2) - 雄狮少年2 - U.S. Premiere
AMC NEWCITY 14 (1500 N. Clybourn)
Dir. Sun Haipeng
A village boy who came to Shanghai to make a living decides to enter the 'Shanghai Fight Night' martial arts competition to raise money for his bedridden father. Representing the fading tradition of Chinese martial arts, he must overcome not only his formidable opponents but also prejudice and himself.
Director Sun Haipeng, an award-winning animator and creator of the popular Super Bao series, has led major TV and film projects including Kungfood. Key production credits for I Am What I Am 2 include Sun Haipeng (Director) and Zhang Miao (Executive Producer).
Asian Pop-Up Cinema previously showcased I Am What I Am to enthusiastic audiences, and now proudly presents the U.S. Premiere of much anticipated sequel that continues the journey of young lion dancers while expanding into martial arts and a new Shanghai adventure.
ABOUT ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA
Chicago Asian Pop-Up Cinema, an annual Asian Film Festival, is the brainchild of Sophia Wong Boccio, founder of Sophia’s Choice, a Chicago-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit incorporated in 2015 with the multi-pronged mission of cultivating an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films; connecting the Asian film industry with local Chicago film professionals, educators, and students; and promoting Chicago as a destination for international visitors. For more information, please visit www.asianpopupcinema.org
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Publicity Contact : Danielle Garnier
Garnier Public Relations
312-841-3500 dgarnier@garnierpr.com