Select filmmakers in attendance.
Sunday, May 18, 2:30 p.m. | Witness these distinctive expressions of the Filipino-American experience, and enjoy one of the great pleasures of cinema: recognizing oneself in others. In LOLA (pictured, dir. Grace Hanna, 11 min.) a science prodigy tries to save a memory. In THE GROCERY LIST SHOW: SEAFOOD CITY (dir. Emily Strong, 13 min.), host Chrissy Camba showcases Chicago’s Filipino-American culinary scene. Comedian Alia Rasul reconnects with her dad in 15 WAYS MY DAD ALMOST DIED (dir. Sura Mallouh, 19 min.). A mother and daughter struggle to find belonging in MYSELF WHEN I AM REAL (dir. Angeline Gragasin, 18 min.). BALIK/BAYAN (dir. Paula Kiley, 8 min.) chronicles the life of balikbayan box company founder Manny Paez. In GET YOUR STORY STRAIGHT (dir. Myra Aquino, 16 min.), a murder charge reunites four siblings. Estrella Ravelo Alamar, co-founder of the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, is remembered in HER WISH (dirs. Royce Pateras, Marvin Payton Jr., 15 min.). In PAINTED ONES (dir. Julia Nacario, 5 min.), tattoo artist La’on Canabe unlocks Filipino histories through ink. And in DESYNC (dir. Minerva Marie Navasca, 12 min.), a young Filipina filmmaker reenacts a painful memory. Dialogue: Select filmmakers in attendance.
Asian American Showcase | May 16–22, 2025
Presented as an annual collaboration with the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media and now celebrating its 28th year, the Asian American Showcase (AAS) provides a platform for new work by established and emerging Asian American filmmakers. Synopses provided by AAS. Learn more at faaim.org.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu