Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts)

San Diego Asian Film Festival The San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is San Diego’s premier film showcase of Asian American and international cinema. Founded in 2000, the festival has grown to become the largest exhibition of Asian cinema in the western United States and has showcased everything from future classics like Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder (US Premiere) to luminary independent work like Patrick Wang’s award-winning In the Family (North American Premiere). Each year, the festival brings West Coast, North American, and World premieres of films from around the world to San Diego, giving audiences unique opportunities to discover international cinema.

An 8-week summer documentary program training local high school students to become socially conscious digital storytellers. Reel Voices High Tech High is annual collaboration between Reel Voices and High Tech High Point Loma that empowers students to tell their stories and those of the community through digital storytelling.empowered local high school students to learn the art of documentary filmmaking. This 8-week summer class helps students become socially-conscious storytellers, learn video editing, and experience all stages of production. Students choose their own topics ranging from self love, mental health, social issues, cultural identity and more in stories that are both personal and deeply relevant to the broader San Diego community.

Students receive a $500 scholarship for their work, which premieres at the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival in November. After the films hosted online, and screened at festivals around the world

Youth Day is a free day of youth-oriented film screenings to educate, enlighten, and enhance students’ film literacy skills. We partner with local businesses and area high schools to draw hundreds of students interested in technology and media for a day full of film and learning at the UltraStar Mission Valley Theater. Students also have the opportunity to meet filmmakers and artists. While Youth Day is open to all local high schools, we are particularly interested in working with teachers and students in the area of film, media arts, and ethnic studies. We provide each teacher with a study guide to prepare students for Youth Day.