APUC Competition - UNDER THE KASAYA and THE LITTLE SHOPPING TROLLEY are in the running for the 2025 APUC Best Short Film Award
Asian Pop-Up Cinema: Shorts Series #2 - Asian American Perspectives
This new program showcases unique perspectives and a nuanced exploration of Asian experiences across North America.
In the spirit of greater representation and celebrating the diverse voices of Asian storytellers, Asian Pop-Up Cinema is proud to expand its selection to include films from Asian American and Asian Canadian filmmakers! This new program showcases unique perspectives and a nuanced exploration of Asian experiences across North America.
Total program runtime: 106 minutes
Tantrum
Canada | Drama | 2023 | 15 minutes
In Korean with English subtitles
Director: Soomin Choi
Determined and full of life, 7-year-old Moa is excited about her upcoming choir competition, but her joy fades quickly when she realizes her mother has forgotten all about it. Desperate to be seen and heard, Moa resorts to bold and unexpected measures to win back her attention. Will her efforts bring them closer together or push them further apart?
Under the Kasaya
Canada | Drama | 2024 | 15 minutes
In Chinese with English subtitles
Director: Jennifer Fan Jiang
Fourteen-year-old Jean has always been taught that truth leads to liberation—but after an unsettling encounter with her Buddhist mentor, she is confronted with a devastating choice: carry the weight of a painful secret, or confess to her deeply devout mother. Inspired by the filmmaker’s own experience, this deeply personal story explores the weight of unspoken truths and the courage it takes to break the silence.
The Little Shopping Trolley
Canada | Drama | 2024 | 18 minutes
In French and Vietnamese with English subtitles
Director: Laurence Ly
Struggling to make ends meet in Montreal, a Vietnamese mother of three faces an unexpected battle at the grocery store. Denied the right to buy 12 discount laundry detergents, she must find a way to outmaneuver the system to claim what should be hers. This heartfelt tale of capitalism, family, and resilience offers an earnest look at the immigrant experience, all wrapped in an unconventional Christmas story.
Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America
United States | Documentary | 2024 | 58 minutes
In English
Directors: Jon Osaki, Josh Chuck – INTRO & Q&A by director Jon Osaki
This thoughtful documentary explores the role of Ethnic Studies in redefining narratives and empowering Asian American communities. From its origins at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State to present-day movements, it amplifies the voices of activists, educators, and youth who advocate for expanding education to challenge harmful stereotypes, combat anti-Asian hate, and empower future generations.
Screening Date:
Doors open 30 minutes before screening.
Location:
AMC NEWCITY14
1500 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610