48th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF)
Presented by Asian CineVision
Thursday, July 31st, 2025 - Sunday, August 10th, 2025
*Special code 20% available for KCCNY’s friends: AAIFF48_KCCNY
Join Asian CineVision (ACV) for the highly anticipated 48th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) in New York City and virtually from July 31st to August 10th. This year’s festival features a captivating array of films that delve into themes of love, relationships, grief, and complex emotions.
In addition to a stellar lineup of films, the festival will feature Q&As, receptions, and VIP events, providing unique opportunities to connect with industry professionals and fellow film enthusiasts. Visit aaiff.org/program for the full schedule of events!
Transplant
Sunday, August 03 2025, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Regal Union Square - Auditorium 14
(850 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)
Director: Jason Park
Category: Feature-length
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Cast: Eric Nam, Bill Camp, Michelle Okkyung Lee
Synopsis: In this intense psychological drama, Jonah (Eric Nam), a highly motivated Korean-American surgical resident, is committed to getting ahead. When he gets the chance to train under the notorious Dr. Edward Harmon (Bill Camp), a legendary heart transplant surgeon, Jonah must choose between appeasing his abusive mentor and staying true to his values, as well as between career and family, ambition and morality.
VOICES
Sunday, August 03 2025, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Regal Union Square - Auditorium 15
(850 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)
Director: Hyewon Jee
Category: Feature-length
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Eunsoon Kim, Yongyeol Kim, Jeongja Koh, Sungong Hong, Jeonghee Cho
Synopsis: In the turmoil of the Jeju 4.3 incident, Jeju Island witnessed the loss of an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 lives, with women constituting a significant yet often unrecognized proportion of the victims. This documentary illuminates the once-shrouded experiences of these women, led by a dedicated Jeju 4.3 researcher.
Paris to Pyongyang
In-Person Screening
- Friday, August 1, 2025, 6:00 PM (EDT)
Regal Union Square - Auditorium 14
(850 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)
Virtual On-Demand
- Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 10, 2025
Director: Helen Lee
Runtime: 32 minutes
Genre: Experimental Documentary
Cast: Jung-sook Lee, Taein Park, Jean-Jacques Hocquard, Sira Chae, Daniel C. Kennedy, M.J. Kang
Synopsis: A prismatic exploration recounting the 1950s visit of Parisian elites led by Chris Marker and Claude Lanzmann in the newly formed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the communist state that claims the allegiance of the filmmaker’s grandmother during the Korean War.
Son-Mat
Saturday, August 09 2025, 10:30 AM to 12:19 PM
Regal Union Square - Auditorium 14
(850 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)
Director: Haaram Kim
Category: Short film
Genre: Drama
Cast: Matthew Hanjoong, Gloria Rho, Camden Rho, Sin Kim
Synopsis: In an effort to honor his beloved late mother, a son embarks on a heartfelt journey to recreate a cherished childhood dish, seeking solace and connection through food.
Mongrels
Sunday, August 10 2025, 2:15 PM to 4:30 PM
Regal Union Square - Auditorium 15
(850 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)
Director: Jerome Yoo
Runtime: 106 minutes
Genre: Coming-of-Age, Drama
Cast: Sein Jin, Jae-Hyun Kim, Da-Nu Nam, Jedd Sharp, Morgan Derera, Candyce Weir
Synopsis: In the summer of 1991, a grieving Korean family immigrates to the Canadian prairies amidst a troubling feral canine infestation. As they navigate this new world, they must also confront their fractured bonds.
About AAIFF
Established in 1978 by Asian CineVision, the Asian American International Film Festival is the nation’s first and longest running festival of its kind and the premier showcase for the best independent Asian, Asian diaspora, and Pacific Islander cinema. AAIFF is committed to film and media as a tool for social change and to supporting diversity and inclusion in the media arts.
About Asian CineVision
Founded in 1975 by grassroots media activists, Asian CineVision (ACV) has spent the past 50 years devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American experiences through film and media arts. ACV’s mission is to nurture and grow the community of makers and lovers of Asian and Asian American and diasporic independent diasporic Asian film, television, and digital. In additional to its flagship event, the Asian American International Film Festival, ACV runs the ACV Media Archives, a Fiscal Sponsorship program, the media publication Cinevue, the Asian American International Screenplay Competition and Reading, and the National Festival Tour.