Works of Vietnamese diaspora filmmakers to be showcased in Southern California film festivals

Seven feature films, including two world premieres, made by Vietnamese filmmakers will be screened over the next two weeks in a pair of prominent film festivals in Southern California. Works from filmmakers Charlie Nguyen, Ham Tran, Dustin Nguyen, Nadine Truong, Dinh Thai, Ashley Duong and Luong Dinh Dung are among the hundreds to be shown at the festivals.

The Newport Beach Film Festival, marking its 18th year, will screen its first-ever Vietnamese film. That’s “The Diary of Fireflies (Cho Em Gần Anh Thêm Chút Nữa),” which will be shown Monday at the Island Cinema in Newport Beach as part of its Pacific Rim showcase.

The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, now in its 33rd year of promoting Asian Pacific American and international films, will have 184 screenings of works produced in 31 countries and in 33 languages.

The Los Angeles festival also will show short films made in the United States by Vietnamese Americans.

Here’s more information about each festival.

Newport Beach Film Festival
When: Through April 27
Where: 15 screens in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa
Number of films: 350
Vietnamese feature film:
“The Diary of Fireflies (Cho Em Gần Anh Thêm Chút Nữa),” directed by Văn Công Viễn — April 24.
Tickets and information: www.newportbeachfilmfest.com

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
When: April 27 through May 4, plus the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival encore week from May 5 through May 11
Where: 18 diverse screens throughout Los Angeles. Films in encore week will be screened at CGV Buena Park.
Number of films: 184
Vietnamese feature films:
“I Can, I Will, I Did,” directed by Nadine Truong — April 28
“A Time to Swim,” directed by Ashley Duong — April 29
“She’s The Boss,” directed by Ham Tran — May 5
“Father and Son,” by Luong Dinh Dung — May 6
“Jackpot,” by Dustin Nguyen — May 6
“Fanatic,” by Charlie Nguyen — May 11
TIckets and information: festival.vconline.org