Spotlight Films
Forge
Directed by Jing Ai Ng
Siblings Raymond (Brandon Soo Hoo) and Coco Zhang (Andie Ju) run a forgery ring. Coerced by a disgraced millionaire, they create counterfeit masterpieces for their family's collection. FBI agent Emily Lee (Kelly Marie Tran) investigates a new string of art forgeries.
Official Selection: SXSW 2025
OPENING NIGHT FILM
Thu. May 7 // 7:00 PM
Hoop Like This
Directed by Shubhangi Shekhar
The 12 best Indian basketball players from around the world join forces to compete for $1 million on ESPN to show the world that brown ballers exist.
CLOSING NIGHT FILM
Tues. May 12 // 8:15 PM
Special Events
Asian Persuation
Comedy Variety Show
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Peace of Cake Productions and The Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM) presents The Asian Persuasion Showcase. This comedy variety show will take place May 4th, 11th at 7:00 PM at Kamehachi and May 18th at iO Theater during FAAIM’s annual film festival happening at the Gene Siskel Theater.
Mystery Movie Monday:
Asian American Showcase Edition!
Psst! Peer into the unknown, embrace the ambiguity, and show up to the Gene Siskel Film Center for a screening that is entirely, absolutely, and completely to be announced—quite literally the moment the lights go down. This time, The Asian American Showcase will be selecting the film! Don't miss this rare oportunity to see this classic AAPI film on the big screen!
Filmmakers Workshop:
Documentary Ethics
From issues of informed consent, narrative framing, to scene recreation, this conversation will dig into how filmmakers navigate the tricky territory in balancing storytelling with integrity and participant care to weave a compelling narrative.
Feature Films
Hot Water
Directed by Ramzi Bashour
After he’s kicked out of his Indiana high school, an American kid (Daniel Zolghadri) and his Lebanese mom (Lubna Azabal) hit the road west.
Official Selection: Sundance 2026
Coroner to the Stars
Directed by Ben Hethcoat, Keita Ideno
Coroner to the Stars chronicles the extraordinary journey of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the former Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner whose groundbreaking autopsies forever shaped American culture. From Marilyn Monroe and Robert Kennedy to Sharon Tate and Natalie Wood, Noguchi's outspoken expertise pushed forensic science into the spotlight-even as Hollywood elites and political adversaries sought to silence him. A Japanese immigrant who unwittingly rose to fame in a city driven by stardom, Noguchi's fearless pursuit of truth often placed him in the cross hairs of controversy.
Before the Moon Falls
Director Kimberlee Bassford in-person for Q&A!
An Intimate portrait of acclaimed Samoan writer Sia Figiel eight years in the making when tragedy struck. The film offers an in-depth and thought-provoking look at Sia’s tumultuous journey leading to that traumatic moment, illuminating the complexities of inconsistently treated mental illness and the devastating toll it can exact on individuals, families and entire communities.
Seat at the Table
Directed by Sarita Khurana [in-person] & Yoav Attias
In immersive vérité style, SEAT AT THE TABLE follows several prominent South Asian political candidates during the 2024 election cycle, alongside a community galvanized by the groundbreaking campaign of the first South Asian presidential candidate. Within a hundred years, South Asians in America have gone from being disenfranchised, to seeing the first South Asian presidential candidate on a major party’s ticket. With unprecedented access to congressional and state-level campaigns, as well as grassroots organizing efforts, the film captures a historic year for the South Asian diaspora as more candidates than ever run for office, providing us a rare front-row seat to the dynamic forging of power in America.
Illinois State Representatives Nabeela Syed and Kevin Olickal in-person and Co-Director Sarita Khurana in-person for post film Q&A Panel!
Short Film Programs
Roadblocks:
AAPI Shorts
Stories of Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians in different stages of life, navigating the personal and political roadblocks thrown in their path.
Marinig at Makita Ako
[Hear & See Me]:
Filipino American Shorts
[Select Filmmakers In-Person for post film Q&A!]
This season of shorts showcases a selection of original, well-crafted expressions of the Filipino American experience, exemplifying distinctive and genuine storytelling.
Choosing Ourselves:
AAPI Queer Shorts
[Select Filmmakers In-Person for post film Q&A!]
At a time where our personhood is questioned again and again, choosing ourselves is a resilient short films program that celebrates the autonomy and the relationships between Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ folks. We span across generations and borders to bring you stories of love, loss, courage and realness.
One City, Many Perspectives: Chicago AAPI Shorts
[Select Filmmakers In-Person for post film Q&A!]
Whether from here or about here, these shorts by AAPI filmmakers with a Chicago connection display the range and quality the Windy City is capable of.
Finding Home:
AAPI Shorts
[Select Filmmakers In-Person for post film Q&A!]
A selection of short films about Asian immigrants searching for their place in America: the opportunities found, and the challenges faced along the way.
Far & Away:
AAPI Documentary Shorts
[Select Filmmakers In-Person for post film Q&A!]
The immigrant experience is one of distance, created by space as well as time. These documentary short films pose the question of what can be brought on the journey, and what must be left behind.
Jonathan Laxamana Emerging Filmmaker Award
The Jonathan Laxamana Emerging Filmmaker Award for AAPI Emerging Filmmakers will award two short film submissions to The 28th Annual Asian American Showcase. One award will be granted each to a submission in the Documentary Short Film and Narrative Short Film categories by a panel of jurors.
Filmmakers Brunch
in Partnership with Asian American Documentary Network (ADOC)
ADOC Members and by invitation only, please contact Huu Ly for more details: huu@faaim.org
The 28th Annual Asian American Showcase
Full Schedule
Ticket Information
General Admission: $13
Students: $8
Youth (under 17): $8
Gene Siskel Film Center Members: $6.50
Current students and faculty of the School of the Art Institute, and staff of the Art Institute: $5
Ticket sales end 15 minutes after the film's listed start time. There is no late entry 20 minutes after the film's listed start time. We recommend purchasing tickets online ahead of your visit to ensure a timely entry and avoid sold out screenings.