Centerpiece Shorts Part 1 – A Cinematic Journey of Culture, Identity & Emotion
HAAPIFEST 2025 proudly presents Centerpiece Shorts Part 1 — a curated selection of impactful short films by emerging and established Asian American Pacific Islander filmmakers. These six cinematic gems span themes of cultural identity, family dynamics, faith, and personal discovery.
📅 May 31 @ 3:30 PM
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton – 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
🌟 Featured Short Films:
🕊️ GOD & BUDDHA ARE FRIENDS
📽️ Director: Anthony Ma
🕒 19 minutes
Andy receives a dragon jade necklace from his Buddhist mother, only to be told by a fiery Christian pastor that it’s a devil’s totem. Trapped between opposing beliefs, Andy must find his own truth in a clash of faith, tradition, and family.
🎭 KUMAR KUMAR
📽️ Director: Kiran Koshy
🕒 7 minutes
Alone on his birthday, Kumar’s thoughts spiral into darkness—until a sudden ding from his computer sparks an unexpected twist. A satirical and darkly comedic take on loneliness, validation, and the absurdity of modern life.
🪂 PARACHUTES
📽️ Director: Leslie Alejandro
🕒 30 minutes
A Korean exchange student, placed in a midwestern trailer park, finds herself living with a dangerously unstable host mom. Tense and emotionally riveting, Parachutes explores the hidden cost of chasing the American Dream.
💔 LOLA
📽️ Director: Grace Hanna
🕒 11 minutes
13-year-old Tessie builds a memory machine to preserve her dementia-stricken grandmother’s fading memories. As she enters the mind’s vast library, she must choose between holding on and letting go. A sci-fi drama packed with emotional resonance.
📉 HAPPINESSINDEX
📽️ Director: Mai Nishii
🕒 9 minutes
Nobu starts seeing numbers above people’s heads—“happiness indexes.” A quirky encounter with people who defy expectations leads him to reconsider the true meaning of joy. A sharp, whimsical short about perception and peace.
🙏 FORGIVE ME
📽️ Director: Cameron Fei Sun
🕒 19 minutes
Haunted by guilt and memories, Jessica—an Asian girl in a predominantly white suburb—is pursued by a mysterious shadow. A chilling and introspective blend of horror and cultural commentary.
🎟️ These six powerful shorts are not to be missed. Join us at HAAPIFEST for this captivating screening that celebrates the strength and complexity of AAPI voices.
👉 Reserve your tickets now at www.haapifest.org/tickets
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