Fans of fine, independent Chinese cinema in the greater LA area: make room this weekend to catch the third annual edition of the Los Angeles Chinese Film Festival.

With a stated mission “to uncover and promote outstanding Chinese language and Chinese culture-focused films, and to foster cultural exchange through screenings, industry panels, workshops and social events,” the 3rd edition of LACFF kicks off tomorrow (Friday, October 25) with an opening ceremony and a screening of The Chinese Mayor, a 2015 documentary by LACFF jury member Hao Zhou that “looks through the eyes of those ruling in China’s greatest era of change, to reflect a giant country with such dilemma and complications that are beyond simple black-and-white image on the news streams.”

The festival’s program continues through the weekend, and includes a night dedicated to LGBTQ film, a Saturday evening screening of widely lauded 2018 indie Vanishing Days, a Sunday afternoon showcase of animation and experimental shorts, and more.

Find the full program at LACFF’s site, scoop some tickets via Eventbrite (use the promo code “RadiiChina2019” for a 20% discount), and check back on RADII after the festival for our recap of some of its highlights.

Cover image: Still from The Birthday Gift, dir. Dan Zhou