The Act of Dreaming

This film will be screened in-person only.

A Q&A will follow the screening, with co-directors Neha Shastry and John Maggio. It will be moderated by AAIFF programmer Coco Tolentino.

THE ACT OF DREAMING is a powerful, intimate verité documentary following three immigrant families as they navigate life in Buffalo, NY in 2024—an Ecuadorian family seeking asylum, a Syrian father rebuilding after war, and a Burmese mother and daughter adjusting after decades in a refugee camp. Set against a shifting political landscape, the film reveals the challenges, hopes, and contributions of those chasing the “American dream” amid uncertainty.

Neha Shastry is an Indian-American filmmaker whose work focuses on the intersection of power, justice and pop culture. Her empathetic and immersive work has been recognized with a Dupont, Emmy and Peabody, amongst many other accolades. Originally from India, Neha’s family had the privilege of immigrating formally to the U.S when she was 8 years old, but the complexity of adapting to the U.S inspired her to tell stories about newcomers.

Producers: Sarit G. Work, Eden Turner, Dorin Razam

Writer: John Maggio