Asian Pop-Up Cinema 10th Anniversary Gala to Feature Six Filmmakers in Conversation

Celebrity Guests, Filmmakers, and Cinephiles Celebrate Asian Cinema April 5, 2025

Chicago, Illinois (March 19, 2025) – Asian Pop-Up Cinema is set to hold its 10th anniversary gala on Saturday, April 5, 2025, with filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles in attendance to celebrate the milestone, emceed by Fox 32’s Joanie Lum at CineCity Studios Chicago (2429 W. 14th St.). The centerpiece of the event features a conversation with the directors of six films in this year’s 19th Asian Pop-Up Cinema festival, representing six different regions throughout Asia. Tickets (starting at $350) available at www.asianpopupcinema.org/2025-Gala. 

BEHIND THE LENS: SIX DIRECTORS, SIX PERSPECTIVES

Moderated by Asian Pop-Up Cinema founder and executive director Sophia Wong Boccio, “Behind the Lens: Six Directors, Six Perspectives” presents a wide-ranging conversation about the Asian film industry and its role in global cinema. The panel guests include: 

• Anselm Chan, director of THE LAST DANCE: EXTENDED VERSION (Hong Kong)

• Junichi Yasuda, director of A SAMURAI IN TIME (Japan)

• Tom Lin Shu-Yu, director of YEN AND AI-LEE (Taiwan)

• Lee Mi-Rang, director of CONCERNING MY DAUGHTER (South Korea)

• Sengedori Janchivdotj, director of SILENT CITY DRIVER (Mongolia)

• Donie Ordiales, director of CROSSPOINT (The Philippines / Japan)

  
  

Celebrity guests include THE LAST DANCE: EXTENDED VERSION star Michelle Wai, who received the Festival’s Extraordinary Actors Award at a screening of her film; Yuno Sakura, star of A SAMURAI IN TIME; Kimi Hsia, star of YEN AND AI-LEE; Oh Min-Ae, star of CONCERNING MY DAUGHTER; lead actor Tuvshinbayar Amartuvshin of SILENT CITY DRIVER; and CROSSPOINT stars Sho Ikushimaand Kei Kurosawa. Also set to attend are Consul General Wang Baodong, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago; Maisie Ho, Director and Head of Office for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York; Deputy Consul-General Naoya Kishi of Japan; Deputy Consul General Saeed Ali, Consulate General of Pakistan in Chicago; Consul Battsetseg Tuvshingtugs, Consulate of Mongolia in Chicago; and Deputy Consul General Joonseok Wee, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago. The Gala co-chairs are Elizabeth Jia and Bart Moy, directors of Sophia’s Choice Governing Board.

The 19th Asian Pop-Up Cinema Festival runs from March 20 - April 13, 2025. For the full schedule of screenings, guests, and other programming please visit www.asianpopupcinema.org/19th-edition. 

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Images available in the Media Center at this link

ABOUT ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA

Asian Pop-Up Cinema, an annual Asian Film Festival, is the brainchild of Sophia Wong Boccio, founder of Sophia’s Choice, a Chicago-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit incorporated in 2015 with the multi-pronged mission of cultivating an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films; connecting the Asian film industry with local Chicago film professionals, educators, and students; and promoting Chicago as a destination for international visitors.

The 19th ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA FESTIVAL is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events; an Illinois Arts Council grant and the Arts Work Fund "Think/Explore" grant; with additional sponsorships by Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York; Taipei Cultural Center in New York; Choose Chicago; ADG Group; CineCity Studios Chicago; The Whitehall Hotel; Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago; Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago; Illinois Tech Office of Community Affairs & Outreach Program; and the Japan Information Center Chicago.