With a brilliant film line-up and top-tier guests, the Asian Pop-Up Cinema is truly one to watch. Festival founder and executive director sparks conversations about her childhood, small screen movies, and making Chicago an international destination through films.

Walk along any major street in Asia and you’ll see larger than life Western movie posters plastered on billboards. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said as you walk in Times Square or any street in the US.

However, one visionary is determined to give more representation to Asian movies on the global stage. Sophia Wong Boccio, founder and executive director of Asian Pop-Up Cinema started her love for cinema at an early age.

Born to parents who worked in the film industry in through the 50s and 70s, Boccio’s love for Asian cinema drove her to diversify Chicago’s vibrant culture through Asian films. When asked about how her background inspired her to create the festival, Boccio shared that growing up with her dad being a film director and mother as an actress, she had so many memories in the sound stages and seeing her parents work.

“I have always felt comfortable around the movie people as they’re like people hanging out at our home when I grew up. Mom happened to be a very good cook. Her peers often came for a yummy meal. I also saw the passion of these people, and many driven by their creativity to make a good movie. I also witness their self-criticism or amongst their peers and how to make a better movie next time. I feel strongly that there is a need to fill the void of lacking a dedicated film festival in Chicago to show Asian films made by filmmakers from Asia,” she recalled.

Before Boccio decided to retire in 2015, she incorporated the non-profit Asian Film Festival using pension money to inaugurate the first-ever edition of the festival in Chicago.

“Since I have had a strong relationship and known many film experts in Asia through years of attending other Asian film festivals, I was able to get endorsed and support from film sourcing and choices. Then it’s a matter of hard work and finding people of like-minds to help to organize this festival. My 15 years of not-for-profit executive roles in three other not-for-profit including the Chicago International Film Festival definitely give me all the ammunition and experiences to lead this brand new concept film festival,” Boccio shared.

Boccio took time to share with Breaking Asia her deep connection to her childhood, why she veers away from sexual and violent films, and her vision for the bright future of Asian Pop-Up Cinema.

You are harnessing your vibrant Asian roots to educate people about Asian films in your new home, Chicago. Why do you think it’s important to bridge the gap between the East and the West through films?

In the grand scheme of things, Asian film festivals have been in years of existence in many major cities in the United States. I think Chicago, trying to become an international destination should have its own Asian Film Festival. Films appreciation are an effective medium to share stories, subtle cultural differences between the East and the West.

I believe strongly that if people learn to understand and accept differences of different cultures, we will be living in a world of harmony instead of constant conflicts and prejudices.