Event Description
Join the Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation at the Academy of Natural Sciences for a co-produced screening of The Botanist (2025) by director Jing Yi.
The film will be followed by a discussion with the Academy’s Herbarium Collections Manager Chelsea Smith, who will talk about the importance of amateur botanists to the field and more.
Set in a remote village in Xinjiang, China, THE BOTANIST follows a young Kazakh boy named Arsin, who finds solace in the company of plants. He soon meets Meiyu, a spirited Han girl whose unpredictable nature reminds him of a rare, otherworldly plant. As their friendship blossoms, it deepens into a delicate, dreamlike allegory that blurs the lines between reality and the enchanting world of botany.
This film screening is in conjunction with the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF), November 6-16, 2025
Tickets are $17.
Register for the Screening of the Botanist
Watch the trailer.
More about PAAFF
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation (PAAFF), formerly known as Philadelphia Asian American Film and Filmmakers, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and highlighting the experiences of the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora through creative community-focused programs, including films, live performances, culinary demonstrations, panels, lectures, and educational workshops throughout the year and at the annual fall film festival.
It was founded in 2008 by a passionate group of Asian Americans who saw a need for a festival space that focused on supporting the growing Asian filmmaking community. PAAFF began as a volunteer-run festival that has relied heavily on the labor of passionate individuals. Under the leadership of arts and culture visionaries and with the support of our sponsors, partners, and community, PAAFF has become one of the largest AANHPI-focused film festivals in the US and an influential platform for Philadelphia’s thriving arts scene.
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation serves as a platform dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the works of AANHPI (Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) storytellers, primarily through film and video art programs. As the leading hub for AANHPI media, culture, and entertainment in the Greater Philadelphia area, PAAFF is committed to empowering diverse creatives, advocating for representation and fostering a more inclusive and informed community. |
