49th Asian American International Film Festival

The 49th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is set for July 30 through August 9, 2026, with screenings in person in New York City and online.

AAIFF calls itself "The First Home to Asian American Cinema" and describes the event as the first and longest-running festival dedicated to work by media artists of Asian descent, for and about the Asian diaspora experience.

Why it belongs on your calendar

If you are mapping a New York summer around Asian film, AAIFF sits right after NYAFF (July 10–26) and before fall festival season heats up. That makes it a practical second stop for viewers who want more diaspora programming without leaving the tri-state.

The festival draws audiences from all five boroughs, the wider region, and online viewers internationally. Even if you are not in NYC, the online component extends access beyond a single venue run.

Opening week anchors

Opening night (July 30, Asia Society): Levitating (Para Perasuk), Wregas Bhanuteja’s Indonesian Sundance title. Centerpiece (August 1, Asia Society): Thomas Percy Kim’s Isle Child. Closing night (August 9, Village East by Angelika): Shubhangi Shekhar’s Hoop Like This. Online VOD runs July 31–August 9 for North America.

For the full Scene Report map, ticket cues, and how AAIFF stacks after NYAFF, read our AAIFF49 opening-week note. Tickets and schedule: aaiff.filmbot.com/2026.

When: July 30–August 9, 2026
Where: New York City (Asia Society, Village East by Angelika, Linen Hall, and more) plus online