Every Saturday evening in August, the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown‑International District comes alive for C‑ID Summer Cinema, the free outdoor film series from Seattle Asian American Film Festival. Hosted at Hing Hay Park, this family‑friendly event blends live music, dance, and cultural performances with a different featured movie each week under the stars. Grab a blanket or lawn chair, bring your loved ones, and join your community for a night of film, festivity, and fun.
📅 Saturday, August 9, 2025
🕡 Live performance: 6:30 PM • 🎬 Shorts begin: 7:00 PM
📍 Hing Hay Park (423 Maynard Ave S)
🎟 Admission: Free!
Film Program: Four Short Films by PNW Filmmakers
Vanishing Seattle: The Beacon
Director: Will Lemke
Runtime: 15 min
In 2013, members of the Massive Monkees, Seattle’s acclaimed breaking crew, opened The Beacon Studio in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. After many successful years of growth and development in the dance community, the studio closed in 2020 with uncertainty of whether it would ever reopen. This is the story of The Beacon’s comeback in a city of vanishing mainstays. Vanishing Seattle Films is a documentary series that takes a deeper dive into the stories of history, legacy, and resilience behind the #VanishingSeattle hashtag. Each film focuses on a small business or community space significant to a Seattle neighborhood and community.
Wholehearted: Behind Mak Fai's Lunar New Year Day
Director: Miguel Angel Laureano
Duration: 29 min
“Wholehearted” follows Seattle’s premiere lion dance group during their busiest day in the lunar new year season. The heartbeat of the lion, the fast-paced tempos of the day, the distance traveled, a lot happens behind the scenes to pull off spectacular shows across the Greater Seattle region. Welcoming their 50th Anniversary as an association, watch as members of Mak Fai work, problem-solve, support, and overcome challenges together, going the extra mile to celebrate the year of the Dragon.
Reclaiming Humanity: Saving Seattle's First Filipinx American U.S. History Course
Directors: Edmundo Aguilar and Tianna Mae Andresen
Duration: 29 min
For 50 years, the Filipino American community of Seattle has been tirelessly advocating for the inclusion of our history in Seattle Public Schools. Erased from history books and disempowered from our identities, the Filipino American community has long fought for recognition. In this touching and insightful documentary powered and supported by the Seattle Filipinx community and beyond, Dr. Edmundo Aguilar and Tianna Mae Andresen retell the 50-year struggle to get a Filipinx American US History Course in Seattle public schools.
She Marches in Chinatown
Director: Della Chen
Duration: 33 min
In 1952, Asian American girls had no extra-curricular activities until Ruby Chow created the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, the only one of its kind in the world. Despite gentrification, Title IX, and a global pandemic, 70 years later the Drill Team continues to define, represent, and celebrate the evolving Asian American experience of its dedicated, multigenerational participants.
Live Performances By 🎭
Check back soon for updates – we’ll be announcing local performers soon.
