Pride Shorts: A Celebration of Storytelling & Creative Voices
HAAPIFEST 2026 proudly presents the “Pride Shorts” program on May 30, 2026 at 4:15 PM, a bold and emotionally resonant collection of short films exploring identity, love, belonging, self-expression, and resilience across cultures and communities.
Screening at the DoubleTree by Hilton Westchase, this 103-minute shorts showcase features narrative films, documentaries, comedy, fantasy, and deeply personal storytelling from emerging and award-winning filmmakers.
Featured Films in “Pride Shorts”
Tank Fairy
Directed by Erich Rettstadt
In this whimsical and visually inventive fantasy short, the magical Tank Fairy delivers gas tanks — along with plenty of sass — to a lonely dreamer named Jojo who longs for connection and transformation. Playful, heartfelt, and glitter-filled, the film blends imagination with themes of identity and acceptance.
Zenaida
Directed by San-San Onglatco
Complications arise when an undocumented Filipino Muslim caregiver working for an aging diva secretly borrows her glamorous outfits to add flair to his new drag performance. Blending humor, heart, and emotional tension, the film explores identity, performance, survival, and self-expression.
After What Happened at the Library
Directed by Syra McCarthy
In the aftermath of a frightening encounter, a drag performer struggles under the pressure of sudden public attention and emotional exhaustion. The film thoughtfully explores visibility, vulnerability, and the emotional realities behind performance and identity.
The Layover
Directed by Yuchi Chiu
Preparing to spend Christmas alone after a breakup, a newly single man unexpectedly opens his home to his ex-boyfriend’s grieving mother. Tender, quiet, and emotionally rich, the film explores grief, compassion, and unexpected human connection.
Just Not Naked Enough
Directed by Sean Au
On the morning of their shared birthday, estranged husbands David and Alex reunite at the Los Angeles home they once shared. What begins as a quiet reunion soon unravels into an emotional confrontation involving depression, intimacy, betrayal, and unresolved pain after the discovery of a stranger’s watch beside their bed.
MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Letter
Directed by Lisette Marie Flanary
This visually stunning documentary follows Native Hawaiian transgender artists preparing a groundbreaking hula performance in Honolulu. Through dance, culture, and storytelling, the film explores the history, identity, and resilience connected to the revered and complex term “māhū.”
A Celebration of Storytelling & Creative Voices
The “Pride Shorts” showcase highlights the diversity and creativity of independent filmmakers telling deeply personal stories through cinema. From fantasy and romance to documentary and emotional drama, the program reflects the power of film to create empathy, spark conversation, and celebrate individuality.
HAAPIFEST 2026 continues its mission of spotlighting innovative storytelling through narrative films, documentaries, shorts programs, filmmaker conversations, and cultural events in Houston.
Event Details
📅 May 30, 2026 @ 4:15 PM
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Westchase
📍 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX
🎬 “Pride Shorts” Program
⏱ Runtime: 103 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.