APUC ANNOUNCES FULL PROGRAM FOR 20TH EDITION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 17, 2026
ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA ANNOUNCES FULL PROGRAM FOR 20TH EDITION, RUNNING MARCH 20 - APRIL 12, 2026
North American Premieres, Award Recipients, and International Guests Headline Milestone Anniversary Festival
Chicago, Illinois (February 17, 2026) – Asian Pop-Up Cinema today announced the full program for its milestone 20th edition, running March 20 – April 12, 2026. Releasing its program on the first day of the Lunar New Year’s Fire Horse cycle, this 20th edition of the festival brings together acclaimed filmmakers and new voices from across Asia for a slate of North American premieres, awards presentations, and special guest appearances throughout Chicago.
“Now in its 20th edition, Asian Pop-Up Cinema continues its mission of connecting Chicago audiences with diverse voices from across Asia through North American premieres, filmmaker conversations, and community screenings,” said Sophia Wong Boccio, Founder and Executive Director of Asian Pop-Up Cinema. “This year’s edition will showcase films from Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, highlighting bold new voices, award-winning filmmakers, and stories that reflect the evolving landscape of contemporary Asian cinema.”
Opening the Festival on March 20 at AMC NEWCITY 14 is the Hong Kong sports comedy PASS AND GOAL, directed by Jil Wong. In this heartfelt underdog story, a determined youth football team fights for redemption both on and off the field. Acclaimed actress Gigi Leung will attend Opening Night to receive the Festival’s Extraordinary Actors Award.
The Festival’s Centerpiece presentation, APRIL, directed by Freddy Tang, screens on April 2. This offbeat comedy follows a Filipino migrant worker and a Taiwanese ex-convict as they navigate the emotional complexities of homecoming and belonging. Actress Angel Aquino will attend to receive the Pinnacle Career Achievement Award.
Closing the 20th edition on April 12 is THE SPECIALS, directed by Eiji Uchida, an action-comedy blending pop dance spectacle with high-concept storytelling, followed by the Festival’s awards presentation.
Other highlights include:
From Hong Kong, esports underdog comedy GOOD GAME brings director Dickson Leung to Chicago, while romantic drama SOMEONE LIKE ME explores themes of bodily autonomy and unlikely love through a breakthrough performance by Fish Liew.
From Japan, director Mipo O’s HOW DARE YOU offer a playful youth perspective on climate activism, while genre-bending horror comedy MAG MAG and nostalgic drama about teen artists, SEASIDE SERENDIPITY showcases the diversity and creativity of contemporary Japanese filmmaking.
From South Korea, Kim Sung-yoon’s gripping debut FRAGMENT introduces rising star Oh Ja-hun, who will receive the Festival’s Bright Star Award. Roh Young-wan’s harrowing drama HALO stars Choi Gang-hyun, also a Bright Star Award recipient, portraying a delivery courier pushed to the brink by modern pressures. Both actors will attend in person to accept their awards.
From Taiwan, Golden Horse Award-winning drama A FOGGY TALE revisits the island’s White Terror era with emotional depth and historical resonance, alongside the Centerpiece co-production with the Philippines APRIL, honoring Angel Aquino for her versatility and adaptability in independent films with the Pinnacle Career Achievement Award.
From Singapore, tender family drama A GOOD CHILD, directed by Ong Kuo-sin, showcases Bright Star Award recipient Richie Koh in a queer-positive story about identity and reconciliation. Koh will attend the Festival to receive his award in person.
Additional highlights include lush Vietnamese romance KY NAM INN, directed by Leon Le and starring Lien Binh Phat, both of whom will be in attendance; Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prix winner A USEFUL GHOST directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke from Thailand; imaginative animated fantasy THE GIRL WHO STOLE TIME from China; and, the haunting historical drama BLUE BOY TRIAL, a fact-based story exploring transgender identity in 1960s Japan.
The 20th edition continues Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s juried competition, with feature films and shorts competing for awards including Grand Jury Feature Film, Best Animated Feature, Francis Kwong Memorial Award (Best New Director), and Best Short Film. The international jury is led by Iranian filmmaker and Chicago-based educator Mehnrez Saeed-Vafa, joined by former Director of Programming of the Gene Siskel Film Center Barbara Sharres, and Tokyo-based film critic and curator, Karen Severns. Together, their combined expertise spans film programming, criticism, and cross-cultural storytelling. Winners will be announced during the Closing Day celebration on April 12, 2026.
The 20th Asian Pop-Up Cinema Festival runs March 20 – April 12, 2026, primarily at AMC NEWCITY 14, with additional screenings and community engagement events presented at partner venues across Chicago. The full schedule is available now, with advance tickets on sale beginning February 21, 2026, at www.asianpopupcinema.org.
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Images available in the Media Center at this link
ABOUT ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA
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.
The 20th ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA FESTIVAL is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events; an Illinois Arts Council grant with additional sponsorships by Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York; The Japan Foundation, New York; Choose Chicago; ADG Group; The Whitehall Hotel; Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago; Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago; Illinois Tech Office of Community Affairs & Outreach Program; and Evanston Arts Council.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Acacia Consulting Group
Morgan Harris
morgan@teamacacia.com
Tom Elliott
tom@teamacacia.com