HAAPIFEST Film Festival
May 30 – June 15, 2025
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Founded in 2004 by OCA-Greater Houston, the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, or HAAPIFEST, was created to highlight and celebrate the diversity of AAPI culture, food, and family, to support AAPI artists and filmmakers, and to share the untold AAPI experience for the Greater Houston metropolitan area through edutainment.
Today, HAAPIFEST is an immersive, multi-day celebration of film, music, and art, showcased by a dedicated committee of volunteers.
Grab your Pre-Sale Online Film All Access Passes Now on Elevent Ticketing!
Our Stories, Our Stage: HAAPIFest 2024 Recap
2025 Announcements
It is our pleasure to inform you that the HAAPI (Houston Asian American Pacific Islander) Film Festival will be held between May 30, 2025 and June 15, 2025. We encourage you to mark your calendar and spread the word about the festival to your friends, family, and colleagues. Tickets and Passes will be available soon, and we will keep you updated on the festival's program and events through our newsletter, website, and social media platforms. So be sure to subscribe HERE!
The mission of HAAPIFEST is to promote and develop Asian and Asian American innovators in the film and entertainment industry, promote Houston as a cultural destination for the arts, and educate the AAPI and wider communities through the visual storytelling of Asians and Asian Americans.
We look forward to seeing you at HAAPIFEST Film Festival 2025. Check out the flyers & sign up below to receive updates.
OPENING NIGHT (Friday May 30, 2025)
HAAPIFest is honored to present the Houston premiere of Third Act, a deeply moving documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura. This intimate film chronicles the life and legacy of Robert A. Nakamura, revered as the "godfather of Asian American media," through the lens of his son, offering a poignant exploration of art, activism, and family.
Date/Time: May 30th, 6pm-9:30 pm
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton (10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042)
Come enjoy a night full of:
Meet & Greet with Tadashi Nakamura
Limited edition swag bags
** This is a ticketed event **
We can't wait to share the magic of Asian American cinema with you! All Access VIP Pass & General tickets are available through our Elevent ticketing system.
DECATHLON (May 31, 2025)
“Decathlon” (2024) is a 45-minute sports documentary that chronicles one of the greatest athletic duels in Olympic history—between C.K. Yang, Taiwan’s national hero, and Rafer Johnson, a trailblazing African-American athlete representing the United States.
Despite coming from vastly different worlds and competing against the backdrop of Cold War tensions and civil rights struggles, Yang and Johnson’s fierce competition blossomed into an unbreakable friendship. Their story is one of unity, mutual respect, and breaking racial and political barriers—lessons that are just as urgent today.
Special Guest Appearance: Meet the Producer
Brian Yang is a powerhouse in both acting and production, known for roles in Hawaii 5-0, How I Met Your Father, and producing critically acclaimed works like Linsanity and Snakehead. His deep commitment to spotlighting underrepresented voices in sports and entertainment makes him the perfect creative force behind “Decathlon.”
Date: Friday, May 31, 2025
Time: 2PM - 3PM
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
ANXIOUS. (MAY 31, 2025)
A dark comedy unlike any other, ANXIOUS. follows Ruby, a woman who spirals into a vivid and surreal mental landscape during an anxiety attack—where different versions of herself take over. Featuring whimsical visuals, fast-paced storytelling, and a deeply personal message, the film draws creative inspiration from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Amelie, and Alice in Wonderland.
The screening will be followed by a special Q&A and Meet & Greet with director Nida Chowdhry, offering audiences a behind-the-scenes look into the making of this bold and imaginative film.
“This film is my love letter to anyone navigating anxiety and identity—it’s about the beauty and chaos of reclaiming your story,” says Chowdhry.
Date: Friday, May 31, 2025
Time: 6:45 PM
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
BOAT PEOPLE (JUNE 1, 2025)
Join us at HAAPIFest 2025 for a special screening of BOAT PEOPLE: A 50-Year Journey — a powerful, award-winning documentary that shares the real-life journeys of Vietnamese refugees who braved the open sea in search of freedom after the Vietnam War.
Directed by Thanh Tâm, a celebrated filmmaker and media producer with over 1 million online followers. Known for creating stories that connect deeply with the Vietnamese diaspora, she’ll be joining us in person for an exclusive Q&A and meet-and-greet following the film.
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX
Don’t miss this moving tribute to resilience and survival. Seating is limited—reserve yours now!
HIS FATHER’S SON (JUNE 1, 2025)
An unforgettable story about family, legacy, and the truth that changes everything.
Join us for a special screening of His Father’s Son, the award-winning debut feature from director Meelad Moaphi, at HAAPIFest!
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Time: 5:15 PM
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton – 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
Meet the filmmaker in person after the show!
Born in Iran and raised in Japan, Meelad Moaphi brings a powerful global voice to this moving story of two brothers, an unexpected inheritance, and long-buried family secrets.
THE EMPATHIZER (June 8, 2025)
DOCUMENTARY | ENGLISH & VIETNAMESE | 59 MINS
Join us for a powerful, emotional, and hilarious closing night experience featuring the screening of the acclaimed documentary The Empathizer, followed by the laugh-out-loud comedy showcase “Embarrassed By Night” — headlined by the film’s very own director, Fred Le.
Synopsis:
Directed by Fred Le and co-directed by Bret Hamilton, The Empathizer is a raw, deeply personal documentary that explores the emotional complexities of the Vietnamese diaspora. Fred Le returns to Vietnam to uncover why his mother, a war refugee, has never set foot back in her homeland.
Shot over two weeks in Saigon and Hanoi, the 59-minute film captures candid conversations with over 20 millennial-aged Việt Kiều (overseas-born Vietnamese) who have made the reverse journey to Vietnam. Through artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, and everyday expats, the film explores the often-unspoken tensions between generations, identity, and the trauma of war and displacement.
Date: June 8, 2025
Time: 7PM - 10PM
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
COMEDY SHOWCASE “Embarrassed By Night”
FEATURING FRED LE AND FRIENDS
Stick around after the screening for a special meet and greet with director Fred Le, who will share behind-the-scenes insights and personal reflections on the making of The Empathizer. This is a rare opportunity to connect directly with a storyteller whose work is reshaping conversations around identity, memory, and healing.
Fred Le
Director & Producer
Fred Le
Stand Up Comedian
As if that weren’t enough, get ready to laugh your heart out at our Comedy Showcase “Embarrassed By Night”, immediately following the film. Featuring Fred Le and a lineup of hilarious Vietnamese American comedians, this show brings the festival full circle — from tears to belly laughs.
Expect bold, relatable stories and sharp takes on everything from culture clash to childhood trauma, dating, diaspora, and everything in between.
RSVP
RSVP for events, opening night, closing night and festival slot times
Volunteer?
Interested in supporting this years festival? Let us know and someone will reach out.
Located in Houston, Texas
Houston is the most diverse metropolitan area in Texas and has been described as the most racially and ethnically diverse major city in the U.S.
Double Tree by Hilton (10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042)
• Opening Night - May 30th: 6-9 pm
• May 31st: 6-10:30 pm
• June 1st: 10am - 10 pm
• June 7th: 6-10 pm
• June 8th: 10am - 10 pm
• June 9th: 12pm - 5 pm