Asian Pop-Up Cinema

Asian Pop-Up Cinema is a bi-annual film festival based in Chicago since the fall of 2015. Since the pandemic the festival has gone virtual and they are now in the new hybrid model showing films online, and physically at a drive-in location. Their mission is to cultivate an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films. Films selected including contemporary Asian films made by filmmakers based in the mainland China, in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Typically they premiere about 40-45 films per year. They are now in Season 12.

Running between March 15 to May 1, their festival will be screening 33 films including 8 N. American and 12 U.S. premieres - their largest and most diverse selections yet, with 24 films available online and 9 films at the Drive-in as they continue with the “combo” format from last season.  During the six-week run, you will discover a full plate of unhinged, genre-bending films, including uncompromising art-house gems shot in 14 different Asian cities that are only a couple clicks away for you to watch.  

When introducing their first ever “West Meets East Showcase” featuring co-productions directed by non-Asian filmmakers, Sophia Wong Boccio, Festival Director, said “this new category is an excellent example of bridging cultures across continents by the creative storytellers.”

It is also a pleasure to honor a talented Japanese actress, Kasumi Arimura,  to receive their festival’s Bright Star Award.  She will be starring in two films: AND LIFE GOES ON a story of love, survival and hope in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake in March 2011, and A DAY-OFF OF KASUMI ARIMURA (Episode One: AFTER MY HOMECOMING) – a mother-daughter dynamic showing Kore-eda at his best. A special thank-you video by Kasumi Arimura will also introduce these two films.  

Last but not the least, to enhance your appreciation of the films, most feature presentation will be followed by video interviews with directors and/or cast, moderated by our team of virtual film experts.  Click here to learn more about their amazing moderators Mark Schilling, Ron Falzone, Darcy Paquet, Pat McDonald and Kevin Ma.

Read the lineup announcement here.  

Review the film guide at our new APUC Virtual Cinema here.  You can pre-order tickets directly from each film page.  You only need to register the first time you are at the virtual cinema.  

Check out the single-night screenings at the Lincoln Yards Drive-in here.