By Gary M. Kramer—
At this year’s CAAMFest, May 7–10 in San Francisco’s Japantown, there are dozens of feature films, shorts, and documentaries by filmmakers who identify as LGBTQ. Here is a rundown of the films with queer content screening as part of this year’s program as well as a list of films by LGBTQIA+ filmmakers.
The Dao of Thao (May 9, 3 pm, AMC Kabuki) is an engaging documentary about the incredibly likeable performance artist Thao P. Nguyen, a queer Asian woman who grapples with her identity and authenticity both on stage and off. Thao is reluctant to come out to her mother, but is now parenting a young son, which prompts her to consider how parents’ behaviors impact their children. A terrific speech she delivers in the film about what qualities her mother gave her shows her emotional power and artistry. Thao is romantically involved with a cis man, and yet worries about losing her queer friends because of her partner. In addition, while her family is Vietnamese, she was born in Thailand, which causes her concerns to fear she is not Vietnamese enough. As Thao workshops her performance, cares for her son, and reflects on her identity, she finds ways to make sense and find meaning of who she is and who she tries to be. It is an inspiring portrait, and one that will make viewers want to see Thao perform live.
The documentary short Between Us, playing in the “Seasons of Becoming” program (May 8, 5:30 pm, AMC Kabuki) also addresses issues of queer and Asian identities. Hunny Hach is a queer Cambodian in Long Beach, CA, who wants to understand her cultural and family history, but has lost some of that knowledge with the death of her mother. Another interviewee, Ivy Hàng, who is queer and Vietnamese, struggles with being born and raised in a country that displaced their family during the war. Seeking connection with their community in Little Saigon, they recount how the organizers of the annual Tét (Lunar New Year) parade, excluded LGBTQ folks from marching after a gay couple kissed (chastely, no less) back in 2013. After protesting, queer and trans Vietnamese folks have marched every year since. Between Us also introduces Hanh Thi Pham, a lesbian elder, to Ivy, as well as the VROC Mamas, women who have queer kids and support folks who may be estranged from their families. What emerges is how these two generations—the youth and the elders—look back (as well as forward) at their social and cultural history to provide a safe space for queer Asians in their communities. This compelling short provides insight into how folks like Hunny and Ivy see and shape their world.
Rope, playing in the “Thirteen O’Clock” program (May 9, 8:30 pm, AMC Kabuki) depicts Akihiro’s (non-binary Akane Little) sense memories of his grandmother (Yuka Taga), whom he never met, during a bondage session with Ji (Che’Li). Aki’s grandmother was a sea diver who gathered pearls, but did not want to stay on the land, much to her father’s (Wataru Nishida) chagrin. Aki imagines her through a series of parallel, intercut images while also recalibrating his relationship with Ji. This gorgeously lensed short feels like it could be developed into a feature. Viewers certainly will want more.
See You Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow, playing in the “Old Roots, New Branches” program (May 10, 5:45 pm, AMC Kabuki) takes a comedic look at intergenerational issues as Cathy (Irene Tu) is a caregiver for her 99-year-old grandmother (Lisa Lu), who raised her. Taking a night off to perform standup comedy—her first gig in a long time—Cathy recounts her experiences with scenes illustrating her giving her grandma an edible when she can’t sleep one night. This sweet short, written and directed by Desdemona Chiang, is amusing, but it is quite poignant as Cathy describes the difficulties of the job and the acknowledgement that, however frustrating it is, it won’t last forever.
Two feature-length films by LGBTQIA+ directors screening at CAAMFest include: Seat at the Table, a documentaryabout South Asian political candidates, and Shakti, a drama about a mother who contacts a shaman to help her ill daughter.
Documentary shorts by queer filmmakers include Bridging Our Stories, about a Filipino woman living in Alaska who learns an institution she grew up with has been destroyed; Dare to Win, about an elderly community activist; The Last Resort, about a retirement community for aging South Asian Indians; and Warren King: King of Cardboard, a portrait of a man who shapes terra cotta warriors out of cardboard.
Narrative shorts by queer filmmakers include: Milk & Honey, in which a woman leaves the Philippines to pursue the American Dream and hopes to reunite with her daughter; Skin, about an Indian woman who wants to lighten her skin tone; Sweet Farewell, about the owner and an employee at a dessert shop whose business may have to close down; and The Bird, The Girl, and the Typhoon, about a Filipino nurse who seeks new life after 40 years of work.
Animated shorts by queer filmmakers include: Lukso ng Dugo, about a Filipina girl trying to stop cycles of family abuse; Paper Daughter, an animated tale of an immigrant on Angel Island; Ramen Western, an animated short about noodles that transport a young girl to the American West; and The Newcomer, about a Korean immigrant’s efforts to maintain ties to her homeland.
For tickets, showtimes, and more information, visit https://caamfest.com/2026/
© 2026 Gary M. Kramer
Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” He teaches Short Attention Span Cinema at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and is the moderator for Cinema Salon, a weekly film discussion group. Follow him on IG @garyemkramer
Film
Published on May 7, 2026
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