Living the Life- SHorts
Saturday october 18, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
A moving collection of shorts honors the memories and the everyday lives of AAPI elders. These films capture moments of joy, resilience, and reflection, offering a window into the experiences and wisdom of older generations while celebrating the beauty of aging and community.
JIN
Jin, a first-generation Chinese immigrant and single father, struggles with his relationship with his American-born daughter. One day, Jin unexpectedly encounters his ex-lover from China, who had chosen not to move to the States with him.
Gong Gong's Bucket List
Determined to help her ailing grandfather complete his bucket list, a girl hires a "surrogate body" for him to fulfill the final tasks that he physically can no longer do.
SunChong
An 89-year-old Korean immigrant volunteers at a senior center and reflects on his life’s journey with his beloved wife.
At 87, American artist Flo Oy Wong is still seeking and finding beauty in all aspects of her artful life. Ever curious, Wong continues to blaze her own path, conjuring change, both for her community and for herself. She speaks through walls, dripping canvases and mended fabrics, inviting all to see the light and the poetry in possibility.
Tales of the Tofu Goddess: The Artful Life of Flo Oy Wong
PINAKBET
To honor his recently deceased grandmother on her birthday, a Filipino man attempts to reverse-engineer her version of a traditional dish called pinakbet.
Q&A
Moderator: Jennifer Masuda
Jen Masuda has dedicated over 14 years to Yu-Ai Kai Japantown Community Senior Center in San Jose, where she has served in multiple roles and, for the past six years, as Executive Director. She has been instrumental in developing programs, policies, and systems that strengthen operations, increase community engagement, and expand services for older adults.
Tales of the Tofu Goddess
Director: Andi Wong
Andi Wong explores the materials and languages of art - visual art, dance, music, theater, literary arts and new media. Her creative partners include Del Sol String Quartet (Angel Island Project, Jingwei Bird) and The Last Hoisan Poets (Genny Lim, Flo Oy Wong and Nellie Wong); composer/musician Marcus Shelby (Gwah Gai: Crossing the Street, Black Ball: The Negro Leagues and The Blues, Harriet’s Spirit, The Barbary Coast Roots); First Voice, led by artistic directors Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu (Songs for J-Town, Story Circle of the Japanese Diaspora, and the upcoming world premiere of Soul of The City); and the Internet Archive (DJ Spooky’s Quantopia and DWeb Camp) artsed4all.blog
Caitlyn Phu is an Asian-American writer and director based in Los Angeles. A recent graduate of Chapman University's Dodge College, Caitlyn specializes in music videos, comedy shorts, and occasionally making her parents proud.
Gong Gong’s Bucket List
Director: Catilyn Phu
Daniel J. Eslick is an actor, writer, director, producer and educator for the Screen and Stage hailing from Honolulu, and a proud Filipino artist. He recently directed a sold out run of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang at shotgun players and is looking for representation for his acting career. He's ecstatic to see so much AAPI representation and to meet and speak with fellow artists! -@Youknowwherehestay
Pinakbet
Actor/Producer: Daniel J. Eslick
Jin
Director: Charlotte Huang
Charlotte Huang is a Taiwanese director based in Los Angeles. She earned her B.A. in English from Fu Jen University in Taiwan and her M.F.A. in Film Production with an emphasis in Directing from Chapman University. She is skilled in using strong visuals that seamlessly flow with the emotions and dynamics of a story.
The projects she has written and directed have been selected for several Academy Award- and BAFTA-qualifying film festivals. Last year, her film Jin was selected for the Youth Short Film Season at the Golden Rooster Film Festival, highlighting the potential of emerging directors.