30 Sep Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
BY SOPHIA ABRAHAM-RAVESON
The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a local film or moving image focused organization, business or collective doing unique and impactful work.
An essential part of the Philadelphia film festival scene, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) has been held annually since 2008. The festival, typically held in November, showcases films by makers of the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora over the span of 11 days. The film festival is the third-largest of its kind in the country and features films of a variety of genres. PAAFF also holds events throughout the year, such as performances, panels, and workshops, that aim to highlight different aspects of the creative Asian and Pacific Islander community while building relationships within Philadelphia.
cinéSPEAK asked Selena Yip, Executive Director of PAAFF, about the organization’s hopes for Philadelphia, their planned upcoming events, and how people can get involved.
cinéSPEAK: What are some of the programs or opportunities at your organization that folks can get involved in?
PAAFF: The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival recruits for staff volunteers from January to July. Staff volunteers are a vital part of PAAFF’s organizing team, helping develop programs, marketing strategy, and fundraising. PAAFF opens up applications for event volunteers to help with specific events at the annual festival from September to November.
According to the PAAFF website, “Festival volunteers help with the day of programming and screenings during the festival. It is NOT REQUIRED for you to have any film background—just a positive attitude and interest in helping organize a film festival focused on supporting AAPI creative content. You could be a part of one of these committees: Executive, Finance, Sponsorship & Fundraising, Marketing & Communications, Programming, Guest Services/ Event Planning, and Volunteer Coordination.”
cinéSPEAK: Are there any upcoming projects you are working on?
PAAFF: The 15th Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is coming up from November 3rd-13th!
cinéSPEAK: What impact do you hope your organization has in the Philadelphia community?
PAAFF: The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival team hopes to be a place for Asian and Pacific Islander artists to display their work to the world and to explore what it means to create community around art.
Upcoming Events at PAAFF:
September 30, 2022 – Final Fridays Shorts Program at The Rail Park – Noble Street, N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
October 6, 2022 – Festival Preview Party
November 3 to 13 – Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
Check out PAAFF’s website and follow them on social media for more updates!
*Featured Image: Image of Director Heather Muriel Nguyen and Producer Jake Villadolid answering questions for the festival recap video produced by Maestro Filmworks. Courtesy of Selena Yip. Image credit: Vinh Dang.
Would you like your organization to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the Philadelphia Organization Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over the publishing of any information provided via the form.Questions: journal@cinespeak.org
Sophia Abraham-Raveson is the Managing Editor for the cinéSPEAK Journal. She has previously worked for several Philadelphia-based film festivals, including BlackStar and Tri-Co Film Festival.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.