Animation & Comedy - Shorts
Sunday october 19, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
This lively collection of AAPI short films blends animation and comedy to tell stories that are as imaginative as they are entertaining. From playful takes on cultural traditions to clever explorations of everyday life, these shorts showcase fresh voices and vibrant creativity. With humor, heart, and a touch of whimsy, they remind us of the joy and brilliance that comes from seeing the world through a different lens.
BFF Diary is a 2D animated short film about two inseparable elementary school best friends who exchange a diary documenting their upbringing in the suburbs of Bangalore, India. When one reveals they're moving, their friendship must adapt.
BFF Diary
Justin Bruce Lee proposes to his partner Brianna with a heartfelt 2D animated short film made only on procreate, capturing the memories of when they first met and fell in love.
Will you…?
My Turn!
One sunny morning in Jakarta, Indonesia, Beth and her younger sister Liz become fierce rivals in their race to the bathroom. Beth regrets unintentionally hurting her little sister during the scuffle, and they both realize how much they care about each other.
Worth Your Salt
A teenager, having fallen into a life of crime, attempts to rob a restaurant, only to find there is more to its Head Chef than meets the eye.
MisMatch
A seemingly ordinary matchstick, repeatedly dismissed and denied recognition as a military veteran, slowly ignites with emotion‚ until it finally flames up, revealing the true weight of the micro aggressions it endured.
Lukso ng Dugo
"Lukso ng Dugo" is a 2D animated short film about Mae, a Filipino girl who takes a stand against the cycles of abuse in her family. As Mae and her mother prepare for dinner, she senses a mysterious presence lingering outside of her home. Tensions rise during dinner when Mae's father lashes out, pushing her to do something she's never done before: stand up to her father. With the unexpected help of a monster inspired by Filipino folklore, Mae and her mother confront their fears and begin a journey towards healing.
Te Seguiré a la Oscuridad
A driven high school student in 2005 obsessively studies Spanish all year so she can test up a level into her crush’s class
Giselle
In this adaptation of the ballet Giselle, our titular character wakes up dead, with no memories of her life or death.
God & Buddha are Friends
After receiving a dragon jade necklace from his Buddhist mother, young Andy spends the day with a devout Christian family, where he meets a fiery Christian pastor who convinces him that his jade is a devil's totem. Conflicted and terrified, Andy returns home to his wary mother, who goes ballistic upon learning the news and returns to the pastor the following day to demand an apology—forcing Andy to navigate the complex terrain of stubborn adults and religious debate to figure out his own truth.
LITTLE PERSIMMON
A determined young girl embarks on a heartfelt quest to honor her late grandfather by tracking down his favorite fruit. Along the way, she’s joined by a few unexpected and extraordinary companions, turning her journey into a magical and unforgettable adventure.
Tangerines in Autumn
A young man seeks advice from his grandfather.
Q&A
Moderator: Dr. Wayne Silao Jopanda
Dr. Wayne Silao Jopanda is an Assistant Professor of Asian American Studies within the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at San Jose State University. He received his PhD in Cultural Studies from the UC Davis, where he researched Filipino student experiences with burn out, labor trafficked Filipino teachers, and both cases; connections to the history of U.S. colonial education in the Philippines. Wayne’s research also engages men of color mental health and liberated/healing masculinities, the impact of pop culture and anime on U.S. based men of color, the experiences of students of color and first-generation college students inhigher education, and the growing role of talk story/kuwentuhan in Ethnic Studies curriculum, spaces, and community organizing.
BFF Diary
Director/Writer/Producer: Keya Thota
Keya Thota is a Bay Area-based filmmaker and an Animation and Illustration student at San Jose State University. Originally from Bangalore, India, Keya’s storytelling is deeply influenced by a hybrid of her South Asian and Bay Area background, blending cultural design and stories with contemporary narratives. BFF Diary marks her directorial debut, a project that reflects her passion for bringing underrepresented stories to light. As a visual development artist, she specializes in production design and crafting imaginative worlds that convey strong human connections.
Will You?
Director: Justin Bruce Lee
Justin Bruce Lee is a storyboard artist at Lucasfilm Animation, where he has contributed to acclaimed series including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, and Star Wars: Tales of the Empire. In addition to his work in animation, Justin is an emerging filmmaker. His short film First Born was selected by multiple film festivals and garnered several accolades, showcasing his storytelling voice behind the camera as well as on the storyboard.
Little Persimmon
Director/Writer: Ivan Gozali
Ivan is a Chinese-Indonesian LA-based filmmaker; a story artist working in the animation industry since 2010. He's worked on a myriad of projects such as Guillermo Del Toro's Tales of Arcadia series, Paul McCartney's High in the Clouds, Lauren Faust's fun spin-off of DC Superhero Girls, with clients such as Disney, DreamWorks, Netflix, Warner Bros., ShadowMachine, Duncan Studios, and others. His passion is great cinema! He's interested in working on features or limited series that are boundary pushing--in stories, styles and genres; and especially in projects with high social impact, exploring humanitarian values, and a belief in making a difference.
Lukso ng Dugo
Director: Annika Magbanua
Annika Magbanua is a passionate Filipina-American multi-disciplinary artist who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation & Illustration. With a rich background in graphic design, illustration, and fine arts, she thrives on cross-pollinating her skills to create innovative work that pushes conceptual, narrative, and technical boundaries. Deeply inspired by her culture, lived experiences, and personal interests, Annika’s creative practice is rooted in her desire to empower, inspire, and make people feel seen. Community is central to her values, and she aims to foster connection and bring forth positivity through every project. Outside of her professional work, Annika enjoys fashion, crafting, and baking.
Te Seguiré a la Oscuridad
Writer/Actor/Producer: Joy Regullano
Joy Regullano (writer, actor) is a writer / actor / comedian based in LA who most recently wrote on the animated show MONSTERS AT WORK on Disney Plus. Previously, she wrote on JELLY, BEN, and POGO (a PBS Kids web series),, KUNG FU PANDA: DRAGON KNIGHT (Netflix / Dreamworks), the Netflix show HEALING POWERS OF DUDE, several Sesame Workshop digital shorts, and she was a Sesame Street writing fellow. She was recently nominated for an Emmy for writing on Sesame Street’s Word of the Day series. TV acting credits include BARRY, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, MODERN FAMILY, SPEECHLESS, HOUSE OF LIES, and SUPERNATURAL. She has performed improv and sketch around LA at UCB and Second City Hollywood. Her YouTube sketch WHITE FETISH went viral with 1M+ views and has been featured in the Huffington Post, Upworthy, and more.
Tangerines In Autumn Filmmaker/Animator: Ethan Yamada
Ethan Yamada is a Japanese American 2D animator and story artist located in the Bay Area and graduated from the California College of the Arts.
Giselle
Director: Mina Chacko
Mina Chacko is a character designer based in California. She loves slice of life stories, ballet, spending time with family and watching movies with friends.