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LIVERMORE, Calif. — The Arté Film Festival, a boutique festival dedicated to showcasing films that explore the beauty and depth of the Filipino American diaspora, has been launched in Livermore, California.
The brand activator Arté this week announced the launch of the first Filipino American and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color)-centered community film festival in California’s Tri-Valley.
Filipino American voices
The festival, which takes place on June 7 at the Bankhead Theatre in Livermore, curates a cinematic experience that “centers Filipino American lives, values and voices,” according to festival organizers.
“By spotlighting emerging and established filmmakers, Arté aims to inspire dialogue, foster cultural pride and create a platform for storytelling that reflects the diverse narratives of Filipino storytellers,” they said.
Film lineup
The inaugural program brings together three full features and two critically-acclaimed Pixar short films.
The 2026 Arté Film Festival program features the following selections:
Diamonds in the Sand by Janus Victoria
Kodokushi means “lonely death” in Japanese – a fate that Yoji, who lives an isolated life, seems destined for. After a profound loss, he travels to the Philippines with the nurse who cared for his mother. The film is a quiet, moving meditation on grief, dignity, and human connection across cultures.
Asian Persuasion by Jhett Tolentino
A charming New York-set comedy following a lovable hustler trying to offload his ex-wife’s luxury belongings before their divorce is finalized. What unfolds is a witty, heartfelt look at relationships, reinvention and the Asian American experience, balancing humor with emotional depth.
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The Road to Sydney by Benito Bautista
Sydney Loyola, a Philippine dance master and choreographer, grew up in Palawan, Philippines, where she found comfort in dance while facing bullying as a child. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, she navigates the challenges of job loss and potential eviction after her gender affirmation. As she steps into her life as a woman, Sydney begins a personal journey of healing – reconnecting with her roots, reclaiming her art, and seeking to rebuild her relationship with her estranged father.
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Weekends (Pixar Short Film) by Trevor Jimenez
An Academy Award-nominated short film following a young boy navigating the divided worlds of his two parents after separation — a story of love, longing, and the ordinary magic of childhood told with extraordinary emotional precision.
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Lava (Pixar Short Film) by James Ford Murphy
A musical love story spanning millions of years, Lava follows a Hawaiian volcano who spends his life singing a love song in the hopes of finding the one who will answer. Inspired by the music and natural beauty of Hawaii and set to an original ukulele ballad, this film is among the most beloved short films in Pixar’s history.
Livermore Valley Arts
The festival is co-presented with Livermore Valley Arts.
“We warmly welcome the Arté Film Festival and Filipino filmmakers to Livermore,” said Chris Carter, CEO of Livermore Valley Arts. “Our mission is to offer a broad range of arts opportunities and experiences to engage, enrich, and inspire our diverse community, and we deeply value collaboration. I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate that than by partnering with Arté to bring these special films to our community.”
The co-presentation with Livermore Valley Arts reflects a shared commitment to bringing bold, culturally resonant programming to the Tri-Valley and to building the kind of cultural infrastructure that the wine country community continues to support.
Celebrated Filipino artists
“We are honored to welcome a community of celebrated Filipino artists to this event,” shares Joanne Tan, co-founder of Arté and CEO at Good Morning Maxwell.
Maxwell said the festival will feature live art by globally acclaimed muralist Venazir Martinez, a roving fashion show by La Union Filipiniana and multiple performing artists and entrepreneurs like Tropa and Dot Wine.
“We wanted to make the experience of cinema accessible to as many people as possible in the most memorable way,” says Keesa Ocampo, Arté co-founder and CEO of the brand and marketing agency WeSparq.
Ocampo said art becomes more powerful with public access.
“Our stories become irrefutable the more broadly they’re shared.,” she said, “We hope that this experience becomes the gateway to appreciating the vastness, beauty and complexity of diasporic Philippine culture.”
The full festival program will be announced in advance of the festival. Select filmmakers will be present for post-screening conversations and Q&As with the audience.
Tickets for the Arté Film Festival will be available at the Bankhead Theatre box office this Friday, April 24. General admission is $20, student tickets $15, and all-day passes $65.
On June 7, doors will open at 10 a.m. and screenings will begin at 11:30 a.m. The full festival program will be available here.
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