LAAPFF 2026: Interview w/Desireena Almoradie, Co-Dir.,Because of You: A History of Kilawin Kolektibo

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival returned for another year of bringing a packed schedule of workshops and films. We spoke to Desireena Almoradie, Co-Director of Because of You: A History of Kilawin Kolektibo Synopsis: Because of You: A History of Kilawin Kolektibo traces the history of Kilawin Kolektibo, a pioneering collective of Filipnxs who came together in NYC in the mid-nineties. Having experienced marginalization in Filipino culture because of their queerness and in mainstream gay culture because of their race, language, and gender, the members of the group sought political empowerment and increased visibility. But above all, they sought to create a space of friendship and safety for those who found themselves suspended between cultures and identities. Website:https://kilawinfilm.com/ Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival: https://festival.vcmedia.org/2026/ Squeedar: https://www.squeedar.com/