Support the filmmakers. Support the culture.
Great films deserve to keep finding audiences. The inaugural JoySauce Film Festival celebrates AAPI filmmakers and storytellers by connecting exceptional independent cinema with new audiences, industry voices, and a community that believes in the power of representation. Whether your film is completing its festival journey or looking for its next opportunity, we want to help meaningful stories continue to be discovered.
Your story deserves an opportunity to be seen. Submissions to the inaugural JoySauce Film Festival are completely free.
ONE FESTIVAL. TWO DISTINCT EXPERIENCES.
A digital celebration of independent AAPI cinema, complemented by an intimate Los Angeles showcase bringing filmmakers, audiences, and industry voices together. Submissions can be reserved for in- person only, Video on demand (behind sign-in) and Streaming A film invited to screen in Los Angeles is not required to stream, and apart from the winners, who all screen in Los Angeles, selection for the digital festival does not guarantee an in-person screening.
The digital festival : Selected films that stream are on demand on JoySauce from February 6 to 27, 2027. Feature films and shorts stream only if the filmmaker opts in. From February 6 to 20, curated showcase blocks run on JoySauce's mobile app and free streaming (FAST) channels on Roku, Prime Video, Plex, YouTube and more, for films eligible for FAST. Viewers vote for Fan Favorite in an online poll. For featured films who decide not to opt in for streaming will be considered for our in person film festival in Los Angeles but will not be eligible for the fan favorite award.
The Los Angeles showcase: An intimate celebration of cinema and community on February 20, 2027. Join filmmakers, storytellers, and film lovers for screenings of the festival winners and a curated selection of films, plus filmmaker conversations.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Pilots/Series (20–60 minutes), Shorts (40 minutes or less) and features (41 minutes or more) with an Asian or AAPI filmmaker in a key creative role, or an Asian or AAPI lead or majority cast. Filmmakers anywhere in the world can enter. We especially welcome films nearing the end of, or that have completed, their festival run.
Films are evaluated on storytelling, originality, and creative merit. There is no rating restriction, but anything the JoySauce Jury deems R-rated or above cannot run on FAST (it can still stream on demand). Exhibition opportunities are determined separately based on available rights, platform standards, and programming considerations. FAST channel placement is an additional opportunity for eligible films and is not required for festival consideration.
YOUR FILM, YOUR RIGHTS
Selected filmmakers may be invited to participate in digital programming, in-person screenings, or both, subject to separate agreements and applicable eligibility requirements. Select films will be invited to participate in the in-person film festival, streaming not required to be eligible for selection.
KEY DATES:
Submissions open: October 27th, 2026
Submission deadline (free entry): December 20th, 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific
Selections announced: January 20, 2027
Digital festival: February 6–27, 2027 (FAST showcase blocks February 6–20)
Los Angeles showcase and awards: February 20, 2027 (Subject to change).
Questions? Email: filmfestival@joysauce.com
More at joysauce.com/film-festival
