The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation’s (SBTHP) 2025 Asian American Film Series (AAFS) will feature four recently released, captivating documentary films that were carefully selected by SBTHP’s Asian American Affinity Group.
2025 AAFS Selections are:
“Home Court” – 6 p.m. July 11. “Home Court” is the coming-of-age story of Ashley Chea, a Cambodian American basketball prodigy in Southern California whose life intensifies as recruitment heats up. (2024, 95 min). Q&A with filmmaker Erica Tanamachi and reception will follow this screening.
“Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement” – 6 p.m. July 18. “Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement” tells the story of a changing community through one of its most beloved storytellers as she reflects on decades of groundbreaking cultural work and a life that has bridged coasts, industries, families and history. (2024, 57 min). Short intermission reception between film screenings.
“Third Act” – 7:30 p.m. July 18 – As father and son, Asian American filmmakers Robert and Tadashi Nakamura use their shared medium to explore generational trauma, expressing previously silenced emotions. (2025, 93 min). Q&A with Tadashi Nakamura will follow this screening.
“Starring Jerry as Himself” – 6 p.m. July 25. A family documents how their immigrant father Jerry, a recently divorced and retired Florida man, was recruited by the Chinese police to be an undercover agent. (2023, 75 min).
A special presentation (and Q&A) about recognizing and avoiding scams, and a reception, will follow this screening.
Suggested donation is $5; 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.
For more, call 805-965-0093, email kevin@sbthp.org; or follow @sbthp for AAFS and other programming updates.
SBTHP’s Asian American Film Series is made possible by the 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.