Asian American International Film Festival 2026 Guide
Dates, online access, and planning tips for the 49th Asian American International Film Festival, July 30–August 9, 2026 in New York City.
Last updated:
Review cadence: Opening-week anchors and ticket map updated July 29, 2026.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 30–August 9, 2026 |
| Format | In person (New York City) + online |
| Organizer | Asian CineVision |
| Edition | 49th Asian American International Film Festival |
What AAIFF covers
AAIFF calls itself "The First Home to Asian American Cinema" and the first and longest-running festival dedicated to work by media artists of Asian descent, for and about the Asian American experience.
The festival draws audiences from all five boroughs, the wider region, and online viewers internationally, per Goldscene's AAIFF calendar entry. Even if you are not in NYC, the online component extends access beyond a single venue run.
In-person vs online
Asian CineVision lists July 30 through August 9, 2026 as both in-person NYC screenings and an online window. Pass types will be announced closer to sales; virtual access is the clearest path for viewers outside the tri-state who still want AAIFF titles on opening weekend.
Stack with NYAFF
If you are building a New York summer film week, NYAFF runs July 10–26 while AAIFF runs July 30–August 9. That overlap window lets you hit pan-Asian premieres and AAIFF programming without two separate trips.
Use our NYAFF planning guide for Lincoln Center ticket timing and venue map.
What to do now
The AAIFF49 schedule is live. Opening night is Levitating (July 30, Asia Society), centerpiece is Isle Child (August 1), and closing night is Hoop Like This (August 9, Village East). Online VOD runs July 31–August 9 for North America. Use our opening-week Scene Report for the ticket map, then buy through aaiff.filmbot.com/2026.
Broader calendar
See the 2026 Asian film festival calendar for CSAFF, Reel Asian, and other North America dates.
Frequently asked questions
- When is AAIFF 2026?
- July 30 through August 9, 2026, in person in New York City and online, per Asian CineVision.
- How does AAIFF differ from NYAFF?
- AAIFF focuses on Asian American and diaspora filmmakers. NYAFF is pan-Asian international cinema. Many viewers attend both in the same summer.
- Where is the lineup posted?
- asiancinevision.org/aaiff and Asian CineVision social channels as programs are announced.
