It's the 25th anniversary of the San Francisco Independent Film Festival (SF IndieFest) and it takes place February 2-12, 2023. This year's festival includes 62 shorts and 35 features from 14 countries. There are 34 films that are local to the Bay Area.
“While the city might have changed over the last 25 years, SF IndieFest's mission and curation hasn't,” says Festival Director Jeff Ross. “We still seek the new and unusual to present to San Francisco film fans.”
For 25 years, the mission of the San Francisco Independent Film Festival has been to seek out new film discoveries for Bay Area film fans to enjoy. Now, with the age of computerized algorithms, a human touch is needed more than ever to curate a unique cinematic experience. SF IndieFest continues to provide new and unusual alternatives to the Hollywood Industrial Complex. As in the past 24 years, SF IndieFest brings the freshest new independent films and digital programs from around the world to San Francisco audiences. These are films you won't find at the multiplex or popular streaming services.
Below are highlights of the festival's Asian and Asian American film programming. However, you may find a full program description at sfindie.com.
FEATURES
#LookAtMe
Director: Ken Kwek
When brothers Sean and Ricky are invited to attend church with Sean's girlfriend, they are treated to a bizarre Evangelical affair capped by a searing anti-LGBT sermon. Sean, a Youtuber, soon gets into trouble for dropping a video lampooning the megachurch's homophobic pastor. As Sean struggles to survive prison, Ricky gains prominence as an LGBT activist. Both find themselves at the heart of a culture war teetering on the edge of violence.
Fly, Fry Girl
Director: Kenji Fukushima
Struggling with differences between people, Rui Tachibana has been unable to get along with people. Her only friend, Izumi, suggests she join the stamp rally event, which journeys through several deli shops and Pork Katsu restaurants. Accompanied by a food writer, Koji, through Izumi's boyfriend, Rui faces the various differences through the one day journey.
Therapy Dogs
Director: Ethan Eng
Closing Night Film
Two best friends chronicle their last year in high school aiming to create the ultimate senior video. More than a coming-of-age story, it's a high-intensity time capsule fuelled by adolescent angst and rebellion.
Trapped in Makyo
Director:Tomojiro Amano
Hana, a young new graduate working as an office worker realizes she was tricked into joining her new company. Based on the 1995 incident of a religious cult called Aum Shinrikyo that terrorized and murdered people in Japan by Sarin Gas attack, this is the story of a girl brainwashed by a cult.
SHORTS
Albedo or Apples and Oranges
Directors: Yiro Hu, Sean Dahlberg
A quiet rumination on the first stirrings of desire between two teenage boys after an ambiguous encounter. Each deals with their confusion in their own way; Shane struggles privately as he tries to fit into an idea of small-town masculinity, while Ren waxes philosophical with a playful friend.
Between the Lines
Director: Amyra Soriano
In a world saturated by what if's and has been's, a Filipino American daughter delves into home video tapes to connect with her younger self-and a space that no longer exists: home. She eventually finds acceptance with her family's now broken dynamic, growing up, and death. Between the lines is a personal essay film that explores memory, time, and identity.
Dance Hmongs
Directors: Emilie Haskell, Zhongyang Lyu, May-Lynn Le, Stephanie Parajon
As the Hmong culture begins to fade without a homeland, dance coaches Rocky and Angel work tirelessly to preserve the language and cultural traditions through their dance studio, Nang-Fa. After a year off due to COVID-19, the studio comes back to defend their title at the Hmong International New Years Festival as reigning champions, with a twist: for the first time, it will be their junior group competing, not the veteran group..
I Lost My Race Car
Director: Josh Park
A consumer protections agent with a flawless record investigates a businesswoman who claims to find trinkets from her clients' childhoods.
May We Know Our Own Strength
Director: Jih-E Peng
This short documentary is an abstract, hybrid narrative document centered around artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya's similarly-titled piece exploring collective healing after sexual assault within AAPI communities, created tragically in the wake of the Atlanta spa shootings. In the spirit of the installation, the film recreates the process of trauma, the hurdles of healing, and the strength that can be found in sharing and community.
Queer Science
Director: Nicole de Meneses
A scientist accidentally shrinks her comedian girlfriend to the size of a Brussels sprout.
The Scarlet Queen
Director: Sali Yang
A young woman, Victoria, confronts her abusive boss, with the support of her co-workers.
