Chinatown Storytelling Festival 2026 is back for its third year from August 8-18. The festival kicks off with a screening at DCTV's Firehouse Cinema, walking tours in the neighborhood, workshops, and Chinatown Records launching their Radio Station on August 8th. Listen here:
https://www.chinatownrecords.us
Chinatown Storytelling Festival: Through the Years with Think!Chinatown showcases the breadth of storytelling projects that Think!Chinatown has created over the years, as the organization is reaching its 10 year anniversary. To mark this milestone, they'll be pulling treasures from Think!Chinatown's archives and premier a new animated short. Join us for this special retrospective on Think!Chinatown's decade-long work.
EVERYDAY CHINATOWN
2000 + 2026 • 2 min
Animated shorts of the "Everyday Chinatown" series highlights objects found in everyday life in our community through animated artwork by Asian American artists and oral history recordings from Chinatown community members. Featuring everyday items: Penzi, Immigrant Bag, and a special premiere for the Feather Duster.
HERE TO STAY
2019 • 18 min
Jan Lee was born and raised in Chinatown. Today, he continues his family's long legacy in Chinatown as an outspoken activist for the Chinatown community and his home. This is his conversation with his friend, Amy Chin. This short film is part of Think!Chinatown's "Art of Storytelling" Series.
MUSIC IS HERE IN OUR LIVES
2024 • 12 min
Musician Zhang Jingtai, followed his love for music from China to Manhattan's Chinatown. Jingtai is now a music teacher at Mencius Society for the Arts in Manhattan's Chinatown, where T!C team member Alice Liu is his student. This short film is part of Think!Chinatown's "Art of Storytelling" Series.
SHE SAYS
2022 • 15 min
She Says is a dance film featuring the work of dancer and choreographer, Mei-Yin Ng. With excerpts from Sit, Eat, Chew ????, Ng will take you on a guided immersive dance through Manhattan's Chinatown to uncover two personal stories in exterior and interior locations throughout Chinatown.
WHAT I WANTED MOST
2021 • 8 min
Through their memories of migration and the once booming garment factories of Chinatown, Yan Ping and her daughter, Ying Wu, challenge us to demystify the promises of the American Dream and Gold Mountain that continue to bring immigrants to Chinatown and the U.S. for a better life. This short film is part of Think!Chinatown's "Art of Storytelling" Series.
ROCKING THE BOAT
2022 • 8 min
Rocking the Boat features pioneering advocate Yee Ling Poon, following her time with Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) and the Basement Workshop. This short film is part of Think!Chinatown's "Art of Storytelling" Series.
AN ODE TO OUR GENERATIONS with Arlan Huang, treya lam, Rochelle Hoi-Yiu Kwan, Yin Kong
2021 • 8 min
Inspired by the incredible work and foundation laid by Basement Workshop and Yellow Pearl 50 years ago, we brought together friends and artists across generations for the "Ode to our Generations" series. Artist Arlan Huang shares his memories of his time as a co-coordinator for the production of the Yellow Pearl.
AN ODE TO OUR GENERATIONS with Nobuko Miyamoto (Yellow Pearl)
2023 • 9 min
Musician and "artivist" Nobuko Miyamoto shares stories from the time songs from the Yellow Pearl were written, performed, and recorded. This short film is part of the "Ode to our Generations" series.