Voices of Diaspora Shorts — Stories of Identity, Migration & Cultural Memory
HAAPIFEST 2026 proudly presents the “Voices of Diaspora Shorts” showcase on June 7, 2026 at 1:45 PM, featuring a moving collection of documentary short films exploring migration, identity, family history, belonging, and cultural resilience across global Asian diasporic communities.
Screening at the DoubleTree by Hilton Westchase, this 94-minute showcase highlights filmmakers documenting deeply personal stories shaped by displacement, memory, intergenerational relationships, and the search for home.
Through stories spanning the Philippines, Cuba, Finland, Vietnam, Korea, and immigrant communities across North America, “Voices of Diaspora Shorts” reflects the emotional complexity and richness of diasporic experiences.
Featured Films in “Voices of Diaspora Shorts”
Ahon (“Rise”)
Directed by Trixie Pacis
Using mountain climbing as a metaphor for the immigrant journey, this uplifting documentary follows the K8 Mountaineering Club of Alberta, a Filipino Canadian organization creating access to outdoor education, equipment, and community for immigrants and newcomers.
Barrio Chino Havana
Directed by Jalena Keane-Lee and Dr. Kiona
This documentary explores the overlooked history of Chinese communities in Cuba through the stories of elders and descendants connected to Havana’s historic Chinatown. Through memory and oral history, the film preserves a rarely told chapter of diasporic identity.
My Father Was a Footballer
Directed by Matthew Kim
Blending archival footage and personal interviews, filmmaker Matthew Kim reflects on football, ambition, masculinity, and family responsibility while examining his relationship with his father.
A Little Regret in Helsinki
Directed by Haohao Qiaoshi Liu
A Chinese woman returns home to Helsinki seeking clarity about friendship, identity, perfection, and regret. Through intimate conversations between father and daughter, the film quietly reflects on emotional distance and belonging across cultures.
Bridging Our Stories
Directed by Rafael Anama Palileo Bitanga
When the last Filipino community center in Ketchikan, Alaska becomes a memory, a Filipina woman reconnects with her roots by traveling to the Philippines to preserve disappearing traditions and indigenous dance practices.
We Were The Scenery
Directed by Christopher Radcliff
This documentary tells the story of Vietnamese refugees Hoa Thi Le and Hue Nguyen Che, who fled the Vietnam War by boat in 1975 and unexpectedly became background extras during the filming of Apocalypse Now in the Philippines. The film explores memory, displacement, and the hidden lives behind cinematic history.
Stories of Diaspora & Cultural Connection at HAAPIFEST 2026
The “Voices of Diaspora Shorts” showcase highlights documentary filmmakers preserving stories of migration, identity, resilience, and intergenerational memory. Through intimate portraits and personal storytelling, these films offer audiences meaningful reflections on belonging and the evolving experiences of diasporic communities worldwide.
HAAPIFEST 2026 continues its mission of celebrating diverse storytelling through documentaries, narrative films, shorts programs, filmmaker Q&As, panels, and cultural events in Houston.
Event Details
📅 June 7, 2026 @ 1:45 PM
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Westchase
📍 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX
🎬 “Voices of Diaspora Shorts”
⏱ Runtime: 94 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.