OCA Greater Houston

🌟 A huge thank you to the incredible talents who made HAAPIFEST's closing day truly unforgettable! 🌟

We are deeply grateful to Jenni Trang Le (Maika), Kenji Tsukamoto (Ashima), Tadashi Nakamura, Quyen Nguyen-Le (NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT), and Kyle Fu, origami master, for sharing your remarkable films, insights, and artistic skills with us. Your creativity and dedication to storytelling and art have profoundly inspired our community.

A special and heartfelt thank you to the legendary Nobuko Miyamoto for her breathtaking performance. Your artistry and powerful presence on stage were the perfect finale to our festival. You have touched our hearts and uplifted our spirits with your song and movement.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating these amazing artists and their work. Your support and enthusiasm have made this festival a vibrant and joyous celebration of culture and creativity.

Looking forward to more memorable moments together!

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

Youth-led empowerment in action! Say hello to the leaders of the Youth Advocacy Summit - our inaugural team of YAS Fellows! 🌟 These young leaders are the driving force behind this year's summit success, bringing energy, spreading the message, and crafting the ultimate summit experience! 🚀 Join us as we shape the future through advocacy!

Register TODAY for the annual Youth Advocacy Summit here: tinyurl.com/YAS2024Reg

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended HAAPIFEST on Saturday, June 8 . A special thank you to Brandon Soun, Ronald Wong, and Curtis Chin for their invaluable contributions and presence at our event. Your insights and experiences have significantly enriched our festival, providing inspiration and guidance to all attendees.

Brandon Soun, your creative vision and dedication to the craft of filmmaking have left a lasting impact on us. Ronald Wong, your expertise and passion for storytelling have opened our eyes to new possibilities. Curtis Chin, your profound narratives and commitment to social issues have deeply resonated with us and highlighted the power of film to drive change.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated volunteers and special guests. Your hard work and enthusiasm behind the scenes were instrumental in ensuring the smooth ex*****on of the event. Your dedication is the heart and soul of HAAPIFEST, and we are incredibly grateful for your unwavering support.

To all the special guests who attended, thank you for sharing this memorable day with us. Your presence and participation have made this festival a vibrant and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Together, you have all contributed to making HAAPIFEST a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and community. We look forward to many more events where we can come together, learn, and inspire one another.

🙏✨ A Huge Thank You to Richard Lui, our wonderful guests, and our amazing volunteers! ✨🙏

We are incredibly grateful to Richard Lui for joining us at HAAPIFEST and sharing his powerful film UNCONDITIONAL and insightful book talk "Enough About Me". Your stories and dedication to important social issues have truly inspired us all.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers whose hard work and dedication made this event possible. Your efforts behind the scenes ensured a seamless and memorable evening for everyone.

Thank you all for making this event a success! Together, we continue to raise awareness and inspire change. 🌟

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Closing Day celebration has been moved indoors. Join us on June 9 from 12pm to 5pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton (10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042) for an unforgettable afternoon!

✨ Event Highlights:
- Fun origami activities for the family and watch meaningful AAPI films such as Maika
- Screening of Japanese Heritage Films: Ashima, Benkyodo: The Last Manju Shop, and Nobuko: A Song in Movement
- A special live performance by Nobuko Miyamoto, an icon of Asian American music and activism

Don't miss out! 🎥✨ For more details and tickets, visit www.haapifest.org.

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

Join us at HAAPIFEST for the screening of ASHIMA and NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A Song In Movement on June 9 from 12PM - 3:30PM! 🎬

🎬 About ASHIMA:
Follow the incredible journey of Ashima Shiraishi, a young rock climbing prodigy from NYC, as she tackles her greatest challenge yet in South Africa. Directed by Kenji Tsukamoto, this intimate film explores the deep bond and dynamic between Ashima and her father.

🎬 About NOBUKO MIYAMOTO:
NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT is a sweeping documentary that follows the life of visionary artist-activist Nobuko Miyamoto and her work that changed Asian America forever.

🗓️ Date: June 9
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
⏰ Time: 12PM - 3:30PM

Don't miss the special event featuring:
✨ Meet & Greet with the ASHIMA Director Kenji Tsukamoto
✨ Q&A with Emmy-award winning filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura & Daytime Emmy nominated filmmaker Quyen Nguyen-Le
✨ A special live performance by Nobuko Miyamoto, an icon of Asian American music and activism.

🎟️ Don't miss out! Get your tickets now at www.haapifest.org/tickets

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

🎬✨ We're thrilled to present a special screening of Ronald Wong's powerful film "The Race Epidemic" followed by an engaging Q&A with Ronald Wong (Producer & Writer) and Curtis Chin! 🌟

🗓️ Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
🕒 Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

Don’t miss this chance to dive into important discussions on social justice and community with these incredible leaders! ✨ See you there! ✨

🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now: www.HAAPIFEST.com/tickets

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

🎉 Join us for an unforgettable evening at HAAPIFEST! 🎉

📚 Book Talk with Curtis Chin – Author of "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant"

🎬 Screening of Curtis Chin's Films "Dear Corky" & "Vincent Who?"

🗣️ Q&A Panel with Curtis Chin & Ronald Wong

🗓️ Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
🕒 Time: 3:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

Join us for an enlightening evening of discussion, film, and community engagement!

🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now: www.HAAPIFEST.com/tickets

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

🎉 Join us for an unforgettable evening at HAAPIFEST! 🎉

📚 Book Talk with Curtis Chin – Author of "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant"
🎬 Screening of Curtis Chin's Films "Dear Corky" & "Vincent Who?"
🗣️ Q&A Panel with Curtis Chin & Ron Wong

🗓️ Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
🕒 Time: 3:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

Join us for an enlightening evening of discussion, film, and community engagement!

🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now: www.HAAPIFEST.com/tickets

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

📣 Join us at HAAPIFEST for a special screening of HOME COURT, followed by an exclusive Q&A with producer Brandon Soun! 🎬✨

📅 Date: June 8, 2024
🕒 Time: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

🎥 About the Film: HOME COURT follows Ashley Chea, a Cambodian American basketball prodigy navigating recruitment, injury, and triumph in her high school career.

Don't miss this inspiring film and the chance to hear from one of the incredible producers, Brandon Soun! See you there!

🔗 Get Tickets: https://www.haapifest.org/news/brandon-soun

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

📣 Exciting News! Join us at HAAPIFEST for a special screening of HOME COURT, followed by an exclusive Q&A with producer Brandon Soun! 🎬✨

📅 Date: June 8, 2024
🕒 Time: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

🎥 About the Film: HOME COURT follows Ashley Chea, a Cambodian American basketball prodigy navigating recruitment, injury, and triumph in her high school career.

🎙 About Brandon Soun: An emerging Cambodian American filmmaker from Long Beach, CA, Brandon's work highlights the Cambodian American diaspora and addresses critical issues like intergenerational trauma and immigration justice. His recent film, Conversations at the Register, won the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Short at the 2023 Seattle Asian American Film Festival.

Don't miss this inspiring film and the chance to hear from one of the incredible producers, Brandon Soun! See you there!

🔗 Get Tickets: www.HAAPIFEST.com/tickets

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

🎬✨ Join us for an unforgettable evening at HAAPIFEST! ✨🎬

We are thrilled to present the screening of UNCONDITIONAL, a powerful film directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Richard Lui. Honored at the White House, this film follows three families over seven years, showcasing their mental strength and love.

Plus, don't miss the special book talk "Enough About Me" with Richard Lui himself!

📅 Date: June 7
🕕 Time: 6 PM - 9 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

🌟 About Richard Lui:
- MSNBC & NBC News Anchor
- First Asian American male to anchor a daily national cable news program
- Peabody & Emmy team award recipient

Come experience a night of inspiration and insight! 🎥💬

🔗 Get Tickets: www.HAAPIFEST.com/tickets

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude after 3 incredible Q&A sessions at HAAPIFEST! Our deepest thanks go to Oscar-nominated filmmaker S. Leo Chiang, producer/magician Jonathan Hsu, and producer/filmmaker Milton Liu for gracing us with their presence and sharing their profound insights into the art of filmmaking.

Your guidance on producing and creating films from scratch has not only enlightened us but also inspired a new generation of filmmakers in our community. The stories you shared, the challenges you overcame, and the creative processes you unveiled have provided invaluable lessons that we will carry forward in our own creative journeys.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing volunteers and dedicated staff. Your hard work and commitment behind the scenes ensured the smooth running of this event. Your contributions are the backbone of HAAPIFEST, and this festival would not be possible without your relentless efforts and passion.

Together with our amazing guests (Richard, Brian) and the audience, you have all contributed to making these Q&A sessions a truly memorable and enriching experience. Thank you for your time, your wisdom, and your unwavering support for the arts. We look forward to seeing you next week from June 7 - June 9.

🎟️ Grab your tickets now at www.HAAPIFEST.org/tickets 🎟️

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

✨ HAAPI AAPI Heritage Month Sale ✨

Enjoy a 30% discount on all tickets (GA and VIP) and passes from May 31, 2024 - June 09, 2024.

Join us for the HAAPI (Houston Asian American Pacific Islander) Film Festival. Explore the incredible lineup and films by visiting our website at www.HAAPIFEST.org.

Started in 2004 by OCA-Greater Houston, the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, or HAAPIFEST, was created to highlight and celebrate the diversity of AAPI culture, food, and family, to support AAPI artists and filmmakers, and to share the untold AAPI experience for the Greater Houston metropolitan area through edutainment.
Today, HAAPIFEST is an immersive, multi-day celebration of film, music, and art, showcased by a dedicated committee of volunteers.

We look forward to seeing you at the HAAPIFEST Film Festival 2024!

🎬 What an incredible evening! A heartfelt thank you to director Jean Shim and producer Brian Yang for an unforgettable Q&A session, sharing their amazing insights and behind-the-scenes stories from "A Great Divide." Your passion and creativity truly inspired us all.

👏 A huge shoutout to all the volunteers who made Day 2 a phenomenal success. Your hard work and dedication brought everything together seamlessly.

✨ We can't wait to see everyone again tomorrow for more exciting screenings and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned for more cinematic adventures! 🎥

🎟️ Grab your tickets now at www.HAAPIFEST.org/tickets 🎟️

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

Director Jean Shim and producer Brian Yang of the film A Great Divide is here at HAAPIFEST. Come to meet them tonight at 6pm.

🎟️ Grab your tickets now at www.HAAPIFEST.org/tickets 🎟️

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

🌟 Thank You for Joining HAAPIFEST's 20th Anniversary Opening Night! 🌟

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on May 30th for an unforgettable evening at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Your presence made the night truly special!

A special shoutout to Abigail Hing Wen for sharing her invaluable insights on writing a bestselling book and many other inspiring stories. Your words left a lasting impression on all of us.

Thank you the office of Commissioner Lesley Briones of Precinct 4 for the Proclamation.

We appreciate your support and look forward to more amazing events together!



✨ For more updates and future events, visit www.haapifest.org.

See you at the next celebration! 🎉

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

📣HAAPIFEST 2024 Alert! 📣

Join us on June 1st at DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042 for an incredible evening of films and discussions!

🕡 6:30pm - 8:00pm: Screening of "STARRING JERRY AS HIMSELF" followed by a Q&A with producer Jonathan Hsu.

8:00pm - 9:30pm: Retrospective film "Awesome Asian Bad Guys" with a Fireside Chat featuring Milton Liu on "Film Writing - The Blueprint of FILMS."

✨✨✨Don't miss out on these amazing events!

🎟️ Grab your tickets now at www.HAAPIFEST.org/tickets

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.
Houston Arts Alliance & Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs

🎬🌟 Exciting News! 🌟🎬 Join us at the HAAPIFEST Film Festival on June 1, 2024, for an exclusive screening event featuring Oscar-nominated filmmaker S. Leo Chiang! ✨

Experience four of his most celebrated films:
📽️ Island in Between (Oscar Nomination for Best Documentary Short Film, 2024)
📽️ Our Time Machine (Winner of 10 Awards, News & Documentary Emmy & Gotham Award Nominee)
📽️ A Village Called Versailles (Emmy Award-Nominated)
📽️Mr. Cao Goes to Washington (Inspiration Award 2012)

PLUS, a live Q&A session with S. Leo Chiang! 🎤📽️

🗓️ Date: June 1, 2024
🕐 Time: 1 PM - 5 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to dive into the powerful storytelling of S. Leo Chiang and witness the films that have captivated audiences worldwide!

🎟️ Grab your tickets now at www.HAAPIFEST.com/tickets 🎟️

✨ Join our Give in May Campaign to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month by supporting AAPI restaurants! The funds raised will help purchase rice for low-income seniors, support local AAPI-owned food businesses, and sustain the community programs of OCA-Greater Houston. Check our online directory to find all participating locations. ✨

Purchase your unique QR Code now until May 31st. All discounts codes are valid until June 15th unless noted otherwise.

✅ Follow and visit https://www.aapirestaurantweeks.com/ for more details.

We can help with your citizenship application! Join us June 1st, 2024 9AM to 12PM!

Register at: bit.ly/4dBd5tR (Link is in our link.tree)

OCA-Greater Houston provides free assistance in preparing N400 Citizenship applications for individuals with Greencards (Legal Permanent Residents) each month. If you have had your Green Card for 5 years (or 3 years if based on marriage to a US Citizen), you can apply for Citizenship. We suggest you come and start preparing your application 4 to 5 months before your 5 or 3-year date of receiving your LPR Status.

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Los foros mensuales de inmigración de OCA-Greater Houston serán virtuales durante el resto del año 2022. Si está buscando información sobre la elegibilidad o los requisitos para convertirse en ciudadano, proveemos asistencia gratuita por parte de profesionales legales y voluntarios. Para aquellos que califiquen, también ofrecemos asistencia con el costo de la aplicación.

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📆 June 1st, 2024
⏰ 9 am - 12 pm
📍 Zoom
💸 FREE

For any questions, please feel free to call or text at 281-986-9131 or contact [email protected]

🌟 Important Update: HAAPIFEST 20th Anniversary Celebration - Venue Change! 🌟

Due to weather and thunderstorms, our Opening Night celebration has been moved indoors. Join us on May 30th from 6pm to 9pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton (10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042) for an unforgettable evening!

✨ Event Highlights:

- Meet & Greet with Abigail Hing Wen, author of the "Loveboat" series
- Autographed copies of "LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI" available
- Limited edition swag bags

Don't miss out! 🎥✨ For more details and tickets, visit https://www.haapifest.org/opening-night

📅 Date: May 30, 2024
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

🌟 Important Update: HAAPIFEST 20th Anniversary Celebration - Venue Change! 🌟

Due to weather and thunderstorms, our Opening Night celebration has been moved indoors. Join us on May 30th from 6pm to 9pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton (10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042) for an unforgettable evening!

✨ Event Highlights:

- Meet & Greet with Abigail Hing Wen, author of the "Loveboat" series
- Autographed copies of "LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI" available
- Limited edition swag bags

Don't miss out! 🎥✨ For more details and tickets, visit https://www.haapifest.org/opening-night

📅 Date: May 30, 2024
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

Houston Arts Alliance & Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs

Thank you to everyone who joined HAAPIFEST for the special screening of “The Herricanes” at last night, May 27th. Your presence made the evening a memorable celebration of empowerment, history, and community.

“The Herricanes” is an 87-minute documentary directed by Olivia Kuan that tells the remarkable story of the Houston Herricanes, a pioneering women’s football team from the 1970s. These trailblazers faced ridicule but stood strong in their love for the game. Their untold story is one of camaraderie, determination, and breaking barriers.This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

📢 Announcing our new How to Respond to Harassment & Practice Resilience When Experiencing Anti-Asian Harassment training! 📢

🌱 Our training is a 75-minute, highly interactive workshop that emphasizes building resilience and long-term healing for those who have experienced anti-Asian harassment.

✨ You’ll learn how your identities can shape your experiences of harassment and the impact that harassment has on you and your community. 🏊‍♀️ We’ll take a deep dive into how to build your resilience on an individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal front.

💪You’ll leave with new tools on how to respond to harassment, whether your response is in the moment while that harassment is happening or long-term.

❗ Register at bit.ly/3yDuNwo.

Thanks to and for making this possible!

📣 Memorial Day Weekend Flash Sale! 📣

Enjoy a 60% discount on all tickets (GA and VIP) and passes from May 23-27.

Join us for the HAAPI (Houston Asian American Pacific Islander) Film Festival, which will take place from May 30, 2024, to June 14, 2024.

Tickets and passes are available now! Explore the incredible lineup and films by visiting our website at www.HAAPIFEST.org.

Our mission at HAAPIFEST is to promote and develop Asian and Asian American innovators in the film and entertainment industry, showcase Houston as a cultural destination for the arts, and educate the AAPI and wider communities through the visual storytelling of Asians and Asian Americans.

We look forward to seeing you at the HAAPIFEST Film Festival 2024!

Great news! Pepper Salt, and South X Saign are participating in AAPI Restaurant Weeks! 🎉

Check out these amazing promotional items during AAPI Restaurant Weeks:

Pepper Salt: check out their New Chef Special Menu

South X Saigon: check out their promotional items:
Bo luc lac, boiled crawfish, Southside pasta, and chicken lo mein.

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month by supporting these establishments!

You can also contribute by becoming a participating restaurant or making a donation to receive a special QR code for additional promotions. Proceeds will aid in providing rice to low-income seniors and support local AAPI-owned food businesses, benefiting community programs via OCA-Greater Houston.

Visit www.aapirestaurantweeks.com to see all participating locations.

🎬🏈 Get ready to dive into history with The Herricanes by Olivia Kuan at HaapiFest Film Festival!

Join us at Axelrad on May 27, 2024 for an inspiring journey back to the 1970s, where a group of remarkable women defied the odds by forming the Houston Herricanes, the first full-tackle women's football team.

💪 From diverse backgrounds, these trailblazers came together, facing ridicule but standing strong in their pursuit of the game they loved. Their story, untold until now, is one of camaraderie, determination, and breaking barriers. Don't miss this chance to witness their incredible journey on the big screen! 🎥✨

🌐: www.haapifest.org/theherricanes This OCA-Greater Houston event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.