2024 Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest Highlights

In 2024, Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest (SVAPFF) celebrated ten years of bringing diverse AAPI films and filmmakers to the South Bay. It kicked off its 10th annual film festival with a special screening of the Sundance-Award-Winning film Dìdi (弟弟) by local filmmaker Sean Wang on October 4, 2024 at AMC Eastridge 15 in San Jose, CA.

The main in-person festival was October 18-20 at AMC Dine-In Sunnyvale 12, with a virtual festival October 18-27 and an encore screening of the sold-out opening night film, Home Court.

The 2024 theme, ‘Celebrating AAPI Voices,’ reflects its commitment to showcasing the diverse stories of the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. SVAPFF, an eagerly anticipated event produced by the Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS), is renowned for celebrating the vibrant and diverse perspectives of AANHPI filmmaking.

**Notable Highlights of SVAPFF at 10 Years**
● Voted one of Silicon Valley’s top film festivals by Metro Silicon Valley readers for three years in a row.

● Over 1,000 tickets sold for the 2023 in-person and online film festival.

● The volunteer-driven effort invested over 1,300 hours.

● Supported over 70 filmmakers in 2023 and again in 2024

● Offers a unique program that provides complimentary tickets for educators and students.

● A continued commitment to showcasing local South Bay filmmakers, the 2024 film festival included more than ten works by Santa Clara Valley filmmakers.

ABOUT SILICON VALLEY ASIAN PACIFIC FILMFEST (SVAPFF) The Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest, a project of the Contemporary Asian Theater Scene, is an eagerly anticipated event that celebrates the vibrant and diverse perspectives of Asian American filmmaking. As an annual showcase of breathtaking cinematography, compelling storytelling, and thought-provoking subjects, the film festival serves as a platform to highlight the rich cultural tapestry and the unique experiences of Asian Americans on the silver screen. It attracts seasoned filmmakers and emerging talents alike, fostering a sense of community and providing a space for meaningful conversations about identity, belonging, and the Asian American experience. Visit https://svapfilmfest.org.

ABOUT CONTEMPORARY ASIAN THEATER SCENE (CATS) Founded in 1995 by the late Dr. Jerry Hiura, the late Steve Yamaguma, and Miki Hirabayashi, CATS has been a beacon for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) artists, providing a platform for their voices and talents. CATS has showcased comedians, authors, playwrights, musicians, dancers, performers, and filmmakers. CATS produces the annual Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival, which celebrates its 10th year in October 2024 and, in July 2024, presented its inaugural AAPI Playwright Festival. CATS, a 501c3 in San Jose Japantown, continues to support, mentor, and present AAPI artists, enriching the cultural landscape of San Jose and Silicon Valley. Visit https://catsasiantheaterscene.org/.