Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival faces urgent $150,000 fundraising deadline

Long-running festival celebrating Asian American stories may not survive the year after losing major donor support.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is warning it may not survive the year after losing major donor support tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) funding. Organizers say they must raise $150,000 by next month to continue operating, as recent rollbacks in DEI initiatives have directly affected their ability to secure the funding they rely on. The festival's leaders argue that elevating Asian American filmmakers and other underrepresented voices is too important to fade away.

Why it matters

The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival has provided a crucial platform for Asian American stories and filmmakers for many years. Its potential closure would mean the loss of an important outlet for diverse voices and perspectives in the local arts and entertainment community.

The details

The festival showcased 86 films over 10 days in 2024, both in-person and online, with attendance increasing by 200% that year. However, organizers say the recent rollback of DEI-related funding has put the festival's future in jeopardy. They are now turning to the community in hopes of closing a $150,000 financial gap by next month to keep the festival running.

  • The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival must raise $150,000 by next month to continue operating.
  • Last year's festival, in 2024, showcased 86 films over 10 days and saw a 200% increase in attendance.

The players

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

A long-running film festival in Philadelphia that celebrates Asian American stories and filmmakers.

Joseph Carranza

The Creative Director of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival.

Nani Shin

The Executive Director of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival.

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What they’re saying

“The attack on arts and DEI initiatives at large have, quite honestly, dissolved the budget lines that our funding comes from.”

— Joseph Carranza, Creative Director

“Especially at a time like this, where we feel that a lot of these cultural stories and experiences are being silenced or erased, so this really does seem more dire, more than ever.”

— Nani Shin, Executive Director

What’s next

The festival is directing supporters to its website for more information on how to contribute to the $150,000 fundraising goal.

The takeaway

The potential closure of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival would be a significant loss for the local arts and entertainment community, as it provides a crucial platform for diverse voices and perspectives that are often underrepresented in mainstream media.