Female Filmmakers Shorts: A Showcase of Emerging Women Filmmakers
HAAPIFEST 2026 proudly presents the “Female Filmmakers Shorts” program on May 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM, featuring an exciting collection of short films directed by visionary women filmmakers exploring identity, ambition, relationships, creativity, and self-discovery through daring and original storytelling.
Screening at the DoubleTree by Hilton Westchase, this 121-minute showcase brings together comedy, drama, surrealism, emotional journeys, and visually inventive filmmaking from around the world.
Featured Films in “Female Filmmakers Shorts”
NOVA or (The Extraordinary Search for the Love of Tofu)
Directed by Cici Yixuan Wu and Sebastian Schnabel
In this wildly imaginative and genre-bending short, a member of an Asian girl group risks sabotaging her band’s first major performance after her body undergoes a bizarre supernatural transformation. Bold, chaotic, and darkly funny, the film blends absurdist comedy with themes of pressure, identity, and performance.
Rooftop Lempicka
Directed by Nguyễn Lương Hằng.
Set in Vietnam, the film follows a young girl whose understanding of the world expands through a friendship with a club waitress renting a room in her family home — and through discovering the provocative artwork of Tamara de Lempicka. The film explores awakening, curiosity, and female self-expression through poetic visual storytelling.
I Wish I Were Pretty
Directed by Hanah Chang
An insecure Korean American woman struggles with lingering resentment toward her effortlessly beautiful best friend, exposing the impossible beauty standards that shaped both of their lives. Through honesty and emotional vulnerability, the film examines friendship, identity, and self-worth.
F+CK FEELINGS
Directed by Samantha K. Tan
As a talented painter prepares for her debut gallery exhibition, unresolved memories and emotional wounds from her past begin resurfacing. This visually driven drama explores creativity, trauma, and the emotional cost of artistic ambition.
Somewhere To Be
Directed by Libby Chun
A young woman searching for her runaway sister is pulled into a strange and unsettling night in an unfamiliar city. Combining mystery, emotional tension, and atmospheric storytelling, the film explores family bonds and disconnection.
Only In This World
Directed by Dorothy Xiao
After losing the ability to summon her daughter back from the afterlife, an empty nester is forced to seek help from the one person she least wants to face — her ex-husband’s mistress. Blending fantasy and emotional drama, the film reflects on grief, resentment, and healing.
Charge Me
Directed by Eunwoo Park
Jinsu begins each day by feeding his wife a strawberry jelly, refusing to accept her death — until the fragile illusion he has built slowly begins to unravel. Tender, haunting, and emotionally intimate, the film explores grief, denial, and letting go.
A Showcase of Emerging Women Filmmakers at HAAPIFEST 2026
The “Female Filmmakers Shorts” program highlights bold storytelling and fresh creative perspectives from women filmmakers pushing boundaries across genres and themes. Audiences can expect an engaging cinematic experience filled with humor, emotional depth, experimentation, and unforgettable characters.
From surreal comedies and intimate dramas to suspenseful journeys and poetic reflections, this shorts block represents some of the most exciting independent filmmaking at HAAPIFEST 2026.
Event Details
📅 May 30, 2026 @ 11:00 AM
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Westchase
📍 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX
🎬 “Female Filmmakers Shorts” Program
⏱ Runtime: 121 minutes
🎟️ Tickets and festival passes are available now at:
HAAPIFEST Official Ticket Website
About HAAPIFEST
HAAPIFEST 2026 takes place May 29 – June 14, 2026, featuring in-person screenings, filmmaker Q&As, cultural events, and select online programming available in Texas. The festival celebrates bold storytelling and creative voices through film, media, and community engagement.
This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by Houston Arts Alliance through the City of Houston.