14th SDAFF Spring Showcase Kicks Off with Out of Plain Sight – Exposing Hidden Environmental Crisis Impacting San Diego
Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) is excited to reveal the highly-anticipated film lineup for the 14th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) Spring Showcase, taking place from April 25 to May 2, 2025 at Ultrastar Cinemas in Mission Valley, San Diego and Digital Gym Cinema in Downtown San Diego. This year’s showcase offers 14 contemporary and thought-provoking films from Asia and the Asian diaspora.
Audiences will enjoy a curated selection of films hailing from India, Japan, Kazakhstan, The Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and more including filmmaker Q&A’s, film restorations, and premieres. The Spring Showcase will highlight a variety of themes that reflect our current climate, showcasing films that resonate with today’s issues, while also celebrating filmmakers from the past who have shaped the landscape of Asian cinema.
“In these chilling months, when our curricula and histories are being erased from the record, we once again stand with storytellers who demand that our voices are on display, in plain sight, for our audiences and beyond,”
A central highlight of this year’s festival is the Opening Night film, Out of Plain Sight, screening on April 25 at 7 PM at Ultrastar Cinemas. This documentary follows Los Angeles Times reporter Rosanna Xia’s investigation into the illegal dumping of toxic waste barrels off Southern California’s coast, revealing long-hidden environmental damage. The film is particularly relevant to San Diego, highlighting the shared pollution risks between LA County and our own coastal waters, with experts like Dr. Eunha Hoh (SDSU) and Dr. Lihini Aluwihare (UCSD) emphasizing the urgent need for action on environmental justice.
Out of Plain Sight Movie Poster from SDAFF Spring Showcase
In addition to Out of Plain Sight, the Spring Showcase features a diverse selection of films addressing global issues, with a focus on the voices of contemporary filmmakers. These films explore themes of environmental justice, identity, and resilience, resonating with both local and global audiences.
“Despite the many challenges that marked the start of this year, we’re reminded of the transformative power of film and gathering with community [...] We’re looking forward to holding space at the theater again—to laugh, reflect, and be moved by stories that connect us beyond borders and generations.”
The 14th SDAFF Spring Showcase will feature a full range of cinematic experiences, highlighting the diverse and compelling voices of filmmakers from across the Asian diaspora. For more details about the film lineup, ticket information, and special events, visit sdaff.org.
Scene from Featured Film: Village Rockstars
Program Highlights:
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A tip leads a reporter to uncover the shocking discovery of up to half a million barrels of toxic waste dumped off the Southern California coast.
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New 2025 remastering of an indie horror classic. A ghost trapped in a cycle of daily routines must confront her brutal past, uncovering repressed traumas that refuse to be forgotten.
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A retrospective tribute to two of India’s most influential filmmakers, Satyajit Ray and Rima Das, showcasing their unique storytelling styles that have shaped the landscape of Indian cinema. Films in the collection include Ray’s Pather Panchali (1955) and Aparajito (1956) and Das’ Village Rockstars (2017) and Village Rockstars 2 (2024).
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A Korean adoptee returns to South Korea, reconnecting with a former lover as they confront unresolved emotions and explore themes of cultural displacement, love, and self-discovery.
Scene from Featured Film: Between Goodbyes
Q&A Opportunities:
Cast and crew from Out of Plain Sight, Between Goodbyes, Lucky Star, and I Am a Ghost may be available for Q&A sessions after their screenings, as well as for pre-festival interviews.
Press Credentials:
All press must be credentialed prior to Opening Night—April 18, 2025. Press can register for credentials by filling out a media accreditation form. For press kit materials, please contact media@sdaff.org.
Interviews Available:
For interviews with filmmakers, actors, or festival staff and a list of available screeners, please fill out a media accreditation form and contact media@sdaff.org.
Ticketing:
Tickets for individual screenings can be purchased through film pages or the schedules page on this website sdaff.org/spring2025. Tickets are also available at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas concession stand and kiosk starting April 14th. All ticket sales are final.
All-Access Badges guarantee access to:
All Spring Showcase films and events throughout the entire 7-day fest—including Opening/Closing night, receptions, and more
Front-of-the-line privileges to every film program and panel
All receptions and happy hours
For ticketing info, full film details, and schedule, please visit sdaff.org or email boxoffice@pacarts.org. To learn more about Pac Arts membership, email membership@pacarts.org.
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL:
Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) is the most comprehensive portrait of Asian and Asian American cinema in North America. Located in San Diego, California, Pac Arts is the presenter of the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, the largest showcase of Asian cinema on the West Coast, and the Spring Showcase of Asian Cinema. The 26th San Diego Asian Film Festival is scheduled for November 6-15th, 2025.
ABOUT PACIFIC ARTS MOVEMENT:
Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) launched in 2000 when it debuted at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, a showcase of Asian American and Asian international cinema. Rooted in the love of film and the arts, global citizenship, and Asian culture and communities, Pac Arts became an official nonprofit media arts organization in 2002 and is now one of the most significant exhibitions of Asian cinema in North America. For more information, visit pacarts.org.