Asian American Film Series
July 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2026
6 to 9 p.m. at the Alhecama Theatre (215A East Canon Perdido St.)
2026 AAFS OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
July 10
Rosemead by Eric Lin
Inspired by a harrowing true story, Lucy Liu gives a career-redefining performance as an ailing woman who takes drastic measures to protect her troubled teenage son (Lawrence Shou). As his dark obsessions grow and time runs out, she is forced to make impossible choices: how far will she go and what is she willing to sacrifice? Set against the simmering tensions of a Chinese American community, Rosemead is a gripping portrait of a family pushed to the edge. (2025, 97 minutes)
Q&A with director Eric Lin & actor Lawrence Shou and an outdoor reception will follow screening.
July 17
Food Roots by Michele Josue
Follow Emmy-Award winning Chicago Restaurateur Billy Dec as he adventures through his mother's native 7641 Islands of the Philippines to learn recipes from his last living elders, confronting culinary and cultural treasures and family secrets. (2023, 60 minutes)
Q&A with director Michele Josue and an outdoor reception will follow the screening.
July 24 / / A Night of Shorts
Loving Bing by Isaac Bing Wright, Alec Contestabile & Dagmarette Yen
Ten Times Better by Jennifer Lin
Our Faces Will Always Be Japanese: Tsutomu Dyo, Pancho Villa and Civil Disobedience
by Brent Winebrenner
July 31
The Mochi Movie by Sky Bergman
THE MOCHI MOVIE explores the centuries-old Japanese tradition of Mochi-tsuki—the ceremonial pounding of rice to make mochi for the New Year—as a lens into resilience, identity, and intergenerational connection. Featuring appearances by cultural icon George Takei, Kristen Hayashi curator at the Japanese American National Museum, and the story of renowned photographer Toyo Miyatake, THE MOCHI MOVIE brings together voices across generations to reflect on the deeper meaning of tradition. (2026, 51 minutes)
Q&A with director Sky Bergman and an outdoor reception will follow the screening.
GENERAL INFORMATION
$5 Suggested donation / Free for SBTHP members
Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis (No RSVP required)
Free parking behind PANINO Restaurant (834 Santa Barbara St.)
Questions? (805) 965-0093 | kevin@sbthp.org
Make sure to follow @sbthp for AAFS and other programming updates!
SBTHP’s Asian American Film Series is made possible by the generous support of the George H. Griffiths and Olive J. Griffiths Charitable Foundation and brings AAPI-centered stories and filmmakers to the Santa Barbara community each July.
ALHECAMA THEATRE
215A East Canon Perdido St.
Santa Barbara, California 93101