Honeyjoon directed by Lilian T. Mehrel and Kuchar (The Itch) directed by Vaidaangi Sharma will open the Austin Asian American Film Festival which will take place from June 24 – 28, 2026 in Austin, USA.

Opening Ceremony
June 24, 2026 | Wednesday | AFS Cinema | 6:30 pm
Buy tickets here: https://www.goelevent.com/AAAFF/e/HONEYJOON

Honeyjoon by Lilian T. Mehrel – USA | 2025 – 75 minutes

Winner of the 2024 AT&T Untold Stories competition in collaboration with Tribeca, HONEYJOON from filmmaker Lilian T. Mehrel is a hilarious, relatable, and bittersweet portrait of love and loss. Mother and daughter duo June (Ayden Mayeri) and Lela (Amira Casar) embark on a vacation together following the loss of a family member, only to discover that their expectations for the trip differ greatly from reality. With the help of a charming (and handsome) tour guide, both women begin to see each other and themselves in a new light as they navigate grief, tension, and the complicated process of moving forward. Featuring stunning scenery, a sharp script, and the emotional rollercoaster of mother-daughter dynamics, HONEYJOON will leave audiences feeling all the things. – Neha Aziz, Artistic Director

Teaser:

Kuchar (The Itch) by Vaidaangi Sharma – India | 2025 – 20 minuets

On the morning of her birthday, a teenager’s accidental discovery of pleasure cracks open a world of unspoken desires within her seemingly conservative Indian household, forcing her and her mother onto unexpected paths. (ShortShorts 2026)

For more information, please visit: https://www.aaafilmfest.org/