This July, the Asian Film Festival of Dallas celebrates a landmark year. Returning to the Angelika Film Center Dallas in Mockingbird Station from July 23–26, AFFD marks its 25th anniversary with a program that reflects both the festival’s history and its continued commitment to Asian and Asian American cinema.
Founded in 2002, AFFD has presented more than 600 films over the past quarter century, growing into one of the region’s longest-running film festivals. For its silver anniversary, the 2026 edition brings together 27 films, including 19 features and 8 shorts, with selections representing the United States, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
“Celebrating AFFD’s 25th anniversary is especially meaningful to me because my journey with the festival began as a fan in the audience, then as a volunteer, board member, and now as co-executive director,” says David Chong. “Since 2002, AFFD has showcased more than 600 films from across Asia and the Asian diaspora, connecting filmmakers, artists, and audiences through the power of storytelling. This milestone honors the creative voices and passionate community that have defined the festival over the past quarter century, while reaffirming our commitment to championing bold, authentic stories and ensuring Asian and Asian American cinema continues to thrive for generations to come.”
This year’s lineup includes one world premiere, two North American premieres, and one U.S. premiere. Gamaland, from Japan, will receive its world premiere, while Now I Met Her, from China, and Diary of the Ghost, from Japan, will screen as North American premieres. AnyMart, also from Japan, will receive its U.S. premiere.
The festival opens Thursday, July 23, with Colony, a South Korean film selected as the Opening Night Screening. The evening continues with a 25th-anniversary screening of Ichi the Killer, the Japanese cult classic. The film also holds a special place in AFFD history, having screened during the festival’s inaugural year.
On Saturday, July 25, Never After Dark, from Japan, serves as the Centerpiece Film, followed by the Centerpiece Reception. The festival closes Sunday, July 26, with Train to Busan, the acclaimed South Korean genre film celebrating its 10th anniversary. The screening doubles as AFFD’s Closing Night Film, followed by the Closing Night Party.
In addition to its premieres and anniversary selections, the 2026 program reflects the breadth of contemporary Asian and Asian diasporic storytelling. Among the selections is 3670, a South Korean drama centered on a gay North Korean defector navigating life in South Korea while seeking acceptance within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Several screenings will also include filmmaker Q&As, including Year of the Cat and Diamond Diplomacy, both documentaries. These conversations extend AFFD’s mission beyond exhibition, offering audiences direct engagement with filmmakers and the stories behind the work.
The four-day schedule begins Thursday with Student Shorts, followed by Now I Met Her, The Gorals, Colony, and Ichi the Killer. Friday’s lineup includes the Narrative Shorts Block including Two Strangers, Two Seasons, Behind the Shadows, Lucky Lu, Diary of the Ghost and Gamaland as Studio Focus Screenings, and Drunken Blade. Saturday continues with Frosted Window, En Route To, Year of the Cat, Never After Dark, Macai, and the Late Night Shorts Block. Sunday concludes the festival with 3670, Diamond Diplomacy, Human Resource, Train to Busan, and AnyMart.
Special events include the Opening Night Party on Thursday, July 23, from 9–11 p.m.; the Centerpiece Reception on Saturday, July 25, immediately following the Centerpiece screening; and the Closing Night Party on Sunday, July 26, from 9–11 p.m.
Individual tickets are $15, with opening, centerpiece, and closing films priced at $20. Festival badges are $250 and include access to screenings and events. The 25th Asian Film Festival of Dallas takes place July 23–26 at the Angelika Film Center Dallas, 5321 E Mockingbird Ln. Tickets, badges, and additional information are available at asianfilmdallas.com.