Blog: Film festivals

JoySauce Film Festival celebrates Asian and AAPI filmmakers and storytellers by connecting independent cinema with new audiences, industry voices, and community. Our inaugural edition welcomes filmmakers from anywhere in the world, including films nearing the end of their festival run. Through Festhome, we accept shorts (2–40 minutes including credits), features (41–300 minutes), and series/pilot episodes (20–60 minutes) in any genre. Festhome has its own published duration limits. A film must have an Asian or AAPI director, writer, producer, lead, or majority cast. Non-English films need English subtitles.

The festival has two experiences: a digital program from February 6–27, 2027, and an intimate Los Angeles showcase and awards event on February 20, 2027 (subject to change). Eligible films may also appear in curated FAST channel blocks from February 6–20. Digital exhibition is optional and requires a separate agreement; a filmmaker can be considered for the Los Angeles program and jury awards without streaming. Digital selection does not guarantee an in-person screening. Films are judged on storytelling, originality, and creative merit.

Submissions close December 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Selections are announced January 20, 2027. JoySauce charges no festival entry fee. Submitting through Festhome at https://festhome.com/festival/joysauce-film-festival is free. Festhome may charge its own platform service fee, which it displays before checkout. Submit through either platform; please enter each film only once.

Questions: filmfestival@joysauce.com. Learn more: https://www.joysauce.com/film-festival.