Organizer: Asian CineVision

Type/Location: In Person / New York, NY

Description:

Join Asian CineVision for the world premiere of The Act of Dreaming at the Asian American International Film Festival. This documentary screening is followed by a Q&A.

USA, Ecuador, Syria, Burma/Myanmar | English, Spanish, Burmese, Arabic | English Subtitles | 2025 | 85 mins

About the Film:

The Act of Dreaming is a powerful, intimate verité documentary following three immigrant families as they navigate life in Buffalo, NY in 2024—an Ecuadorian family seeking asylum, a Syrian father rebuilding after war, and a Burmese mother and daughter adjusting after decades in a refugee camp. Set against a shifting political landscape, the film reveals the challenges, hopes, and contributions of those chasing the “American dream” amid uncertainty.

About the Filmmaker:

Neha Shastry is an Indian-American filmmaker whose work focuses on the intersection of power, justice and pop culture. Her empathetic and immersive work has been recognized with a Dupont, Emmy and Peabody, amongst many other accolades. Originally from India, Neha’s family had the privilege of immigrating formally to the U.S when she was 8 years old, but the complexity of adapting to the U.S inspired her to tell stories about newcomers.

Producers: Sarit G. Work, Eden Turner, Dorin Razam

Writer: John Maggio

Registration:

To attend the screening, please purchase tickets here.

NYSEAN and Sulo: The Philippine Studies Initiative are proud to be Community Partners of AAIFF. NYSEAN members can use the following discount code for 20% off all tickets: AAIFF49_NYUSULO