Friday, May 30, 2025 | 6PM to 8PM
CUNY Graduate Center – Martin Segal Theatre
365 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Since 2004, the CUNY Asian American Film Festival (AAFF) has celebrated the creativity and vision of student filmmakers from across the City University of New York. With over $15,400 in cash prizes awarded to CUNY students from City College, Brooklyn College, Hunter College, Lehman College, College of Staten Island, Queens College, and New York City College of Technology, this is an incredible opportunity to showcase your work and gain recognition. The festival not only promotes the artistic talents of CUNY students but also fosters meaningful connections among peers from different campuses, providing a central platform to display your creative projects. Past participants have also had their films featured at the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival.
Join us for an exciting evening on Friday, May 30, 2025, where all winners and runner-ups will remain anonymous until after the screening of selected films, chosen by our esteemed panel of judges. The event will conclude with an award ceremony and a Q&A session with the filmmakers.
Prizes of $200 for winners and $100 for runner-ups will be awarded in two categories: Fiction and Documentary
AAARI invites all current CUNY undergraduate and graduate students (including those who graduated in Spring/Fall 2024), both Asian and non-Asian, to participate in this incredible opportunity to showcase your film and gain recognition!
Jiyeon Kim (Brooklyn College)
Revolving Door
Documentary (Runner-Up)
Sanjona Arzan (Hunter College)
In this Corner of the City
A mother, daughter and a college student share their experience of living in New York City basements.
Artima Sakulkoo (City College of New York)
It Happened In August
Documentary
Ken Dai (Borough of Manhattan Community College)
Home
In 2021, a Chinese-Canadian aspiring filmmaker leaves Vancouver for New York, hoping the city will shape a “sharper version” of himself – his own version of 北漂 (Beijing drifter). As years pass, memories of his immigrant parents resurface, prompting a reflection on their shared journey. Through intimate narration and archival footage, everyday rituals become symbols of belonging, even as the feeling of being a perpetual outsider lingers.
Gurveer Singh (Borough of Manhattan Community College)
Murphy’s Law
Dhipinder Walia (CUNY Graduate Center)
We Both Went to School: Experiences of Student-Parents
Submission Guidelines
Extended Deadline: Monday, May 12, 2025
Submission Form | Festival Poster (Download)
Submitter must be a currently enrolled or recently graduated CUNY student. (Copy of CUNY College ID and current semester’s class schedule, or proof of recent graduation Spring/Fall 2024 is required.)
Film must satisfy any one of the following criteria:
- Production exclusively or majority-produced by CUNY personnel involving at least one Asian CUNY personnel in a key position, e.g. Director, Writer, or Editor
- Contains an Asian American / Asian theme or narrative
Submission form must be submitted no later than 5pm EST on Mon, May 12, 2025. Anything received afterwards will not be accepted. (In the event of a submission deadline extension, you may submit an updated version of your film for consideration.)
Submitter, or their authorized representative, must be available to attend the Film Festival, or else they will forfeit their award. Prizes are given only to films that meet the minimum score threshold.
Festival Chairman
Ryoya Terao
Panel of Judges
NaRhee Ahn, Patrick Chen, Cecilia Chien, Vinit Parmar, Bryan Powers & Ryoya Tereao
Coordinator
William Tam
Technical Assistance
Antony Wong & Zhu-Hui Wu