Viet Film Fest

10/17/2026

🎬 Artist Spotlight: AJ Dungo, Illustrator, In Waves. 🎤 Exclusively interviewed by Alan Trinh Alan Trinh, Viet Book Fest Program Manager

📚 We’re excited to partner with Bel Canto Books, an independent bookstore in Long Beach, to offer In Waves for sale exclusively at the screening! Don’t miss this special opportunity to pick up a copy of AJ Dungo’s graphic novel and celebrate the story that inspired the film.

🎤 Stay after the screening for a special Q&A with director Phương Mai Nguyễn and author AJ Dungo! Hear directly from the creative minds behind In Waves as they share insights into bringing this moving story from the page to the screen.

🎥 Explore AJ Dungo’s creative journey bringing In Waves from graphic novel to animated feature film in our exclusive interview. 🔗 https://vietfilmfest2026.eventive.org/films/6a9214a987b19be64bd15125

🎟️ In Waves screens in person on Friday, October 23 at 7 PM PDT, with director Phương Mai Nguyễn and author AJ Dungo in attendance for a Q&A following the screening.

Join us for Viet Film Fest 2026 — celebrating 23 years of Vietnamese cinema!

10/17/2026

🌊🎬 Did you miss us at Viet Film Fest? We’re back! 💫

“In Waves” is set to screen at Viet Film Fest 2026! 🎥✨ Tickets are officially live, so secure your seats today and join us for another chance to experience these stories on the big screen. 🎟️🍿
https://vietfilmfest2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a9267337dd42cf5dc7b0819

🎞️ VFF Encore extends the in-person festival experience through October 23, giving you another opportunity to catch this year’s featured films on the big screen. ❤️

🎬 Filmmaker Tags: AJ Dungo SILEX FILMS / ANIMATION bacasable

10/16/2026

🎥 Viet Film Fest at Home is back! Provided through Eventive🖥️

✨ From October 12-25, 2026, experience the best of Vietnamese and Vietnamese diasporic cinema from the comfort of your home! Enjoy on-demand virtual streaming of our curated films at your own pace. 🏡

🎬 Get your virtual tickets now and immerse yourself in storytelling that transcends borders!

🔗https://watch.eventive.org/vietfilmfest2026

Please note: Due to distributor and filmmaker guidelines, some films and setlists may have geographic restrictions (“geofences”).

10/15/2026

What a way to close out our in-person Viet Film Fest 2026! 🎬 Our final day was filled with powerful storytelling, meaningful conversations, and moments that brought our community together.

At The Frida Cinema, we explored the vibrant stories of Southeast Asian American communities across the country with the anthology documentary “Southeast Asian American Journeys”, followed by our Southeast Asian American Community Building Panel 🤝 Together, we reflected on the histories, memories, and relationships that shaped our communities in the aftermath of our arrivals, and the connections we continue to foster today.

We also celebrated the Closing Night Film, “Ky Nam Inn (Quán Kỳ Nam)”, with director Leon Lê in attendance for a special post-screening Q&A. Set in post-war Saigon in the mid-1980s, this moving romance drama offers an intimate look at the lives of individuals navigating a changing Vietnam.
From honoring our collective histories to exploring the complexities of Vietnamese life and love, Day 4 reminded us of the power of cinema to preserve our stories, strengthen our connections, and bring our communities together.

🏠🎬 Viet Film Fest at Home is LIVE! The celebration continues virtually from Oct 12–25! Catch our virtual program and experience incredible Vietnamese stories from wherever you are. Explore the lineup and start watching through the link below
https://www.vietfilmfest.com/

Photo credit: Luan Nguyen

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

What a Day 3 of Viet Film Fest 2026! 🎬 A full day of storytelling, connection, and community, with over four short film sets and six feature film screenings bringing Vietnamese stories to life on the big screen.

At The Frida Cinema, we came together for powerful films and meaningful conversations, including our LGBTQ+ focused panel following the short film set *Free to Love*, in partnership with OC LGBTQ Pride Parade.

We also celebrated our Centerpiece Screening of *Y Vân: The Lost Sounds of Saigon*, a special highlight of this year’s festival.

From thought-provoking discussions to stories that move us, Day 3 reminded us of the power of Vietnamese cinema to connect generations, celebrate our diverse experiences, and bring our communities together.

🏠🎬 **Viet Film Fest at Home is LIVE!** The celebration continues virtually from Oct 12–25! Catch our virtual program and experience incredible Vietnamese stories from wherever you are. Explore the lineup and start watching through the link below
[https://www.vietfilmfest.com/](https://www.vietfilmfest.com/)

Photo credit: Alex + Andy Mai, Luan Nguyen

10/10/2026

What a Day 2 of Viet Film Fest 2026 was a full of connection, creativity, and community from the very first “Hi!” at the cinema entrance to the Gala Award of the night.

At The Frida Cinema, we caught up between screenings, and our filmmakers shared their amazing stories in Q&As that remind us why we do this and celebrate Viet Film Fest.

As the sun went down, we stepped out in style at the Bower Museum for the Trống Đồng Award Gala, an amazing evening with red carpet moments, live music performance, and a full room of filmmakers, families, and friends gathering to celebrate Vietnamese stories.
Congratulations to all of this year's honorees, and stay tuned for the full list of award winners!

We're at The Frida through Sunday, so come be part of the celebration.
Swipe to see some of the photos from Day 2!

Viet Film Fest 2026 is LIVE! Join us in-person at The Frida Cinema (Oct 8–11), or watch films virtually (Oct 12–25).
https://www.vietfilmfest.com/

Photo credit to Alex + Andy Mai, Luan Nguyen

10/10/2026

What an amazing start to the festival! Thank you to everyone who joined us on Day 1 — your energy made it unforgettable. We celebrated our annual high school day where we brought out over 600 local high school students, thanks in part to those who donated for Bao Bus.

We also celebrated our opening night film: A Little Dream of Me, with a special Q&A with the crew itself!

We’re at The Frida through Sunday, so come be part of the celebration.

💛Swipe to see some of the photos from opening day!

✨ Viet Film Fest 2026 is LIVE! Join us in-person at The Frida Cinema (Oct 8-11) for screenings, red carpet moments, and filmmaker Q&As.

https://viet-film-fest.carrd.co

Photo credit to Brian Hoang bhricey

10/09/2026

Viet Film Fest Day 1: from the eyes of our Program Consultant, Jenni, and our youngest member, Beanie!

Show us how you celebrated by tagging us!

10/08/2026

The all-Vietnamese comedy show Embarrassed by Night is once again proudly co-presenting the VFF Underground (Vol.II) shorts block this year at the Viet Film Fest Viet Film Fest !!

🎬👊Check out the link in bio to find out more about the fantastic offbeat, hilarious, spooky adventures in store when you come to the Frida The Frida Cinema this Saturday night, 10/10 at 9pm!!