San Diego Asian Film Festival features 150 films from around the world

Joss DeGennaro loves music. Everything from rock to jazz.

So, when the Poway High School senior heard that the San Diego Asian Film Festival included a student program, she applied to be in the competition. She knew exactly what her movie would be about.

The result is “Punk Kids,” a documentary on the local punk rock scene that DeGennaro, 17,
filmed herself.

“It was just like the most interesting thing to me,” she said. “Because when I think of a
documentary, just what I wanted to document the most was probably just the local music scene because it’s so cool.”

The festival, now in its 26th year, runs through Nov. 15 with screenings and events at La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas, Southwestern College Performing Arts Center in Chula Vista and Ultrastar Cinemas in Mission Valley.

More than 150 films from more than 30 countries in 30 different languages will be screened this year. Films will be shown from Argentina, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, among others.

Highlights include “Magellan,” which follows the famed Portuguese explore (played by Gael Garcia Berna) through his final days in what is now the Philippines. Acclaimed director Park-Chan-wook will be featured with the screening of his latest film, “No Other Choice,” about a Japanese middle manager who loses his job and desperately tries to reclaim his life.

“This year’s lineup is as breathtaking as it is eclectic,” said Brian Hu, the longtime artistic
director of the festival. “Asian American filmmakers push the boundaries of what it means to
‘represent’ communities and histories, and filmmakers from Asia continue to be the trailblazers for all of world cinema. We’re proud to bring these films to San Diego theaters and invite filmmakers to meet our audiences.”

The festival highlights Asian film as the genre continues to enjoy success. In 2018, the film
“Crazy Rich Asians” made more than $200 million at the box office and a sequel is being
planned.

In 2020, South Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” won the Academy Award
for Best Picture. This summer, the animated musical “Kpop Demon Hunters” became a pop culture sensation. It was a hit on Netflix and three of its songs hit the Billboard Hot 100.

DeGennaro is one of the 12 emerging filmmakers from San Diego highlighted in the Reel Voices student program. Her film follows three bands that performed in San Diego this past summer. She’s hoping the band members will attend the screening, along with her family and friends.

“It’s really exciting, honestly,” said DeGennaro, “I’ve never been to a film festival, so I’m
excited for that experience, obviously. Just to be able to be there … But it’s also cool to know that your film is going to be on the big screen.”

Levi Alam, a senior at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, made a film about a family of Syrian immigrants.

“I’m happy with how my film turned out,” said Alam, 17. “There’s some things I wish I could
change but at the end of the day it’s still the same story being shared and that’s what matters
most. The thought of having my film (shown) at (the festival) is a bit nerve wracking but also
really exciting, I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions and finally being able to share this project with everyone who’s supported me throughout the process.”

A screening of the documentaries in the Reel Voices program will take place Nov. 14 at Southwestern College Performing Arts Center and Nov. 15 UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley.

General admission for screenings starts at $15. A six pack of tickets costs $75.