Breaking Out: AAPI Shorts

The key to progress can come from within oneself, or with help from others. In this collection of AAPI shorts, people in difficult predicaments find the tools to deal with their dilemmas. [With Select Filmmakers In-Person for Q&A]

Disclaimer: Sexual content. May not be suitable for young children.

2024-2025 | Documentary & Narrative | USA | 103 min | English, Farsi w/ English Subtitles | Digital

Monday, May 11, 2026
5:45 PM

Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601

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The Strawberries

Directed by Nicholas Luciano
Written by Amalia Aquino
IG: @thestrawberries_shortfilm

A woman's class envy bears comically horrifying fruit.

We are Kings

Written and Directed by Frank Sun
franksunfilms.com
IG: @xfranksun

An immigrant teenager weighs the true cost of fitting in.

Giving Mom the Talk

Written and Directed by Vidhya Iyer
IG: @heyiyer @tingifilms

An Indian American woman encourages her mom to reinvigorate her days and persue her sexual desires.

Gloria

Written and Directed by Kim Blanck
https://kimblanck.com
IG: @gloria.shortfilm @kblanck

A Chinese woman (Emily Kuroda, Gilmore Girls) fights dementia with the aid of a trusty textbook.

Prematho

Written and Directed by Harshith Surya Kotni
harshithkotni.com
IG: @harsh.digital

A perfectionist Bharatanatyam dancer discovers there is more to art than flawless technique.

Chimera

Directed by Daniel Cantu
DiretedByDaniel.com
IG: @dannyray_

A professional skateboarder journeys into ceramic art to express himself fully and process loss.

Puberty for Humans

Written and Directed by Wester Demandante
linktr.ee
IG: @wester_d @puberty_for_humans

Firewall

Written and Directed by Bita Ghassemi
bitaghassemi.com
firewallfilm.com
IG: @coolstorybita

An Iranian American girl in Texas fuses Persian mythology with visions of her father, hidden behind the Internet firewall in Iran.