The Filipino American International Book Festival (FilBookFest) returns this October for its 7th iteration, continuing its legacy as the largest Filipino American literary festival in the U.S. This year’s theme, “KAISÁ’T KASAMA: Celebrating Our Diverse Voices and Solidarity,” invites the community to join a weekend of literary celebration, cultural pride, and solidarity. For the full schedule and lineup of authors, visit filbookfestival.org.
Select panels
Leading the Way: Filipinx in Publishing, Bookselling & Literary Organizations
Saturday, October 12, 4:00 – 5:00 pm. FilBookFest rounds out the first day with a powerhouse panel of Filipinx leaders and trailblazers in the world of publishing, bookselling, and literary & arts organizations. Feat. Jason Bayani/Kearney Street Workshop, Jhoanna Belfer/Bel Canto, Lily Prijoles/Arkipelago Books, Edwin Lozada, PAWA Press publisher & FilBookFest Board Member, and Aileen Cassinetto, Paloma Press publisher & FilBookFest Advisory Committee Member. In person, at the San Francisco Main Library.
Poetics of Place & Transformation
Saturday, October 12, 2:30 – 3:30pm. Filipino-American, Filipino-Canadian, Friscopinos, Filipinos in the diaspora across the world. The Filipino poet inhabits the experiences of their kababayan no matter where they might be. As poets, how do they transform the places they inhabit and how does this transformation take place? Join Filipino-American poets who have bridged the gaps between memory and geography through their unique perspectives that contribute to the ever growing body of Filipino and Filipino American Literature. Panel features Cynthia Buiza, author of The Future Is a Country I Do Not Live in (2022).
Closer to Liberation Showcase: Pin[a/x]y Activism in Theory and Practice
Saturday, October 12, 11:30am-12:30pm. Join Bay Area contributors to learn about various forms of Bay Area Pina/xy activism–from literary resistance and transnational feminist organizing, to cooperative youth development, running for elected office and more. Panel features Barbara Jane Reyes, author of Wanna Peek Into My Notebook? Notes on Pinay Liminality (2022). In person at the San Francisco Main Library.
Past events
Filipinx Latinx Poesía
This event will open up the space to interrogate/play with our languages, our shared histories, our Chicana/o/x, Flip/Pinay/Pinoy/Pinxy, Nuyorican arts, literary, and political movements. Featuring Josiahluis Alderete, Urayoán Noel, Michelle Peñaloza, Jason Magabo Perez, Ire’ne Lara Silva, Aimee Suzara, and hosted by Barbara Jane Reyes. On Zoom, October 2, Wednesday, 5 PM Pacific.
The Manong Generation
Join us for this pre-festival event as Robert Francis Flor, Randy Gonzales, Eileen R. Tabios, and Oscar Peñaranda explore the inner lives of the Manong Generation. This is a rare opportunity to connect with the stories that have shaped our communities and celebrate the wisdom of our elders. September 21, 2024, 5:00 PM PT (Sept. 22 at 8:00 AM in the Philippines), on Zoom.
A Reading and Celebration of Caulbearer by Luisa A. Igloria with Ina Cariño and Gabriela A. Igloria
To kickstart the festival season, join us for a special reading and celebration of Caulbearer by Luisa A. Igloria, featuring Ina Cariño and Gabriela A. Igloria, moderated by PAWA’s Beverly Parayno. Sunday, August 25, 2024, 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET, on Zoom. This event launches the preliminary activities for the 7th Filipino American International Book Festival.
