rfn indie fest
Saturday, May 17 at The Park RVA
Saturday, May 17 at The Park RVA
season 2, episode 2
RFN Indie Fest returns Saturday, May 17 to The Park RVA to bring local, national, and international independent films and filmmakers to Richmond. For our spring fest, we showcase 15 films—13 shorts and two feature documentaries—four of them by Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Filipino filmmakers to spotlight Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. Thirteen filmmakers are scheduled to appear for post-screening Q&As to take you on a deep dive inside the stories and into their motivations, techniques, and more.
You don’t want to miss this rare opportunity to engage with the creative minds behind the films that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
12PM FEATURE FOCUS
BLUFF CITY CHINESE
THANDIE CAI - Chicago (Documentary 45:00)
Bluff City Chinese follows two Chinese-American storytellers, filmmaker Thandi Cai and Delta elder Emerald Dunn, as they uncover the untold history of Chinese immigrants in Memphis, Tennessee. Through personal journeys, community oral histories, and archival research, the film weaves a 150-year tapestry of identity, belonging, and resilience. Set against a backdrop of social and racial tensions, this intergenerational collaboration celebrates the power of storytelling to preserve heritage, bridge divides, and inspire unity for future generations. Virginia Premiere, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month Spotlight
Emerald Dunn (writer/cast) scheduled to appear.
2PM SHORT CIRCUIT
Choices echo through these diverse tales, where everyday lives collide with extraordinary moments. Prepare for twists, turns, and powerful revelations.
4:30PM SHORT CUTS
Characters cross physical and emotional thresholds in this block that explores transformation and discovery.
7PM FEATURE FOCUS
faith healers
REGINA AQUINO - Arlington (Documentary 1:24:00)
Faith Healers is the untold history of Filipino doctors who left their homeland to care for Americans. Through the life of Dr. Zorayda Lee-Llacer, we witness an immigrant's journey and her many contributions to American healthcare. By exploring the complicated colonial history between the USA and the Philippines, we grasp the enormity of the challenges and achievements of a vibrant Filipino American community that grew just outside the nation's capital in Prince George’s County, MD. Along with the story of Zorayda, the film dives into the lives of 2nd generation Filipino Americans and how the Philippines continues to shape their identities from afar. It’s an exemplary story of sacrifice and service by a people who are too often erased from the American narrative. At its heart, Faith Healers is about Filipino kapwa - our shared humanity - and the importance of honoring history, celebrating culture, and telling our own story. Virginia Premiere, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month Spotlight
Regina Aquino scheduled to appear.
Featuring films from Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Filipino-American filmmakers.
sEASON 2, EPISODE 1
Our first quarter fest for Season 2 kicked off on Saturday, February 8 at The Park RVA with our keynote conversation REEL JUSTICE: the Documentary Films of Loki Mulholland, featuring Loki Mulholland in a moderated discussion with Dr. Sherri Mehta that included clips from his nine films on social justice and his work as executive director of The Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation.
By the end of the night, we screened 19 films—10 from Virginia, 4 national, and 5 international—with 13 filmmakers present.
“Wigglers” won the coveted Audience Choice Award, and the following films earned finalist designations, with winners to be announced at our November 17 finale:
These were the Official Selections that graced our screens:
meet the jury
At RFN Indie Fest, our esteemed jurors play a pivotal role in shaping the festival experience. Tasked with viewing and evaluating all film submissions, they carefully help determine the Official Selections that grace our main stage. Additionally, our jurors determine award winners in numerous categories, honoring exceptional talent and storytelling across the entire season of four quarterly festivals. Their expertise ensures that every selection and accolade reflects the very best in independent filmmaking.
about rfn indie fest
RFN Indie Fest is an experience that celebrates bold independent cinema in Richmond, Virginia. Season Two, Episode Two lands May 17!
Held quarterly on Saturdays at The Park RVA, Richmond’s premier entertainment venue, RFN Indie Fest offers immersive, day-long events featuring the best in independent cinema. Our lineup is crafted for the true cinephile—films that go beyond mainstream offerings and engage in fresh storytelling, daring themes, and visual eye candy. In addition to screenings, RFN Indie Fest offers dynamic programming such as keynote conversations, live table reads, panel discussions, or filmmaker workshops, designed to entertain, inspire, and inform.
We believe community is as important as the art itself, and RFN Indie Fest is a perfect space to connect, collaborate, and engage with like-minded creators. Our quarterly format keeps the festival a constant cultural presence, making it a catalyst for collaboration and new ideas. It’s a space to experience impactful storytelling alongside a community of creators who may become your next collaborator. Whether you're a filmmaker looking to share your voice, or a film lover craving original content that reflects today's world, join us for a festival series where films, filmmakers, and fans come together, and leave inspired and ready to create!
Volunteer, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities available! Contact us for more information.
