This year’s centerpiece presentation is EMPTY BY DESIGN, a U.S./Philippines co-production exploring what it feels like to be lost as a young adult, torn between multiple countries and lives. Director Andrea A. Walter, along with several cast and crew members, will be in attendance for an extended conversation after the film.

EMPTY BY DESIGN is one of several narrative features in the AAAFF lineup by and about women. In its company are festival opener and Berlinale Grand Prix winner HOUSE OF HUMMINGBIRD (Kim Bo-ra); closer THE THIRD WIFE (Ash Mayfair), which received the 2018 TIFF NETPAC Award; and Yang Mingming’s GIRLS ALWAYS HAPPY. Also not to be missed is SONI, Ivan Ayr’s narrative drama about the alliance between two policewomen in New Delhi.

AAAFF 2019 SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 13

7:30 PM Opening Night: House of Hummingbird

Friday, June 14

6:00 PM Seadrift*

8:20 PM Jaddoland*

10:30 PM After Party

Saturday, June 15

9:30 AM Badgeholders Brunch

11:00 AM Narrative Shorts (Free)*

12:40 PM Chinese Portrait

2:45 PM American Hasi*

5:30 PM Centerpiece: Empty by Design (+ extended conversation w/cast & crew)*

8:45 PM Girls Always Happy

11:00 PM After Party

Sunday, June 16

9:30 AM Filmmakers Brunch

11:00 AM Documentary Shorts (Free)*

12:40 PM Geographies of Kinship*

3:00 PM Omotenashi*

5:40 PM Soni

8:15 PM Closing Film: The Third Wife

10:30 PM Closing Party & Awards Announcement

AAAFF is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts