Arté Film Festival Celebrates the Power of Filipino Storytelling, Community, and Cinema in Inaugural Event

Livermore, CA – 19 June 2026 — The inaugural Arté Film Festival brought together filmmakers, artists, culture bearers, and film lovers for a day of storytelling, connection, and celebration centered on the Filipino diaspora through cinema. Held on June 7th at the Bankhead Theater, the festival welcomed audiences eager to experience an inspiring lineup of films, filmmaker conversations, and unexpected moments of cultural celebration that highlighted the richness and complexity of Filipino heritage.

Founded by Keesa Ocampo of WeSparq and Joanne Tan of Good Morning Maxwell, Arté Film Festival was born from a shared vision: to create a platform where Filipino and diasporic stories are seen, celebrated, and experienced in community.

“This festival was always about presenting a different approach to the curation of Filipino films. We wanted to share a lineup that showed the breadth of the diasporic experience and masterful storytelling through different genres, while showcasing our remarkably beautiful spirit and emotional depth,” said Joanne Tan. 

The festival featured a curated lineup of acclaimed and emerging works, inviting audiences into stories of identity, migration, family, love, resilience, belonging, and the pursuit of joy. Featured films included Lava by James Ford Murphy, Weekends by Trevor Jimenez, Asian Persuasion by Jhett Tolentino, Diamonds in the Sand by Janus Victoria, and The Road to Sydney by Benito Bautista, which sparked reflection, laughter, nostalgia, and meaningful conversation.

Throughout the day, attendees described the experience as “beautifully curated,” “an untold segment of the Filipino American experience,”  “healing,” and “the community event we didn’t know we needed,” underscoring the hunger for broader and more layered cultural spaces that center Filipino creativity and storytelling.

“I’m over the moon to be part of the inaugural ARTÉ festival. Joanne and Keesa are a dynamic duo with a deep commitment for community and shared passion for creative storytelling. We’re so lucky they combined forces to launch this important platform to bring world class Filipino cinema to the Tri-Valley and beyond,” said Theresa Navarro, Co-Director and Chief Operating Officer of Catapult Films, and advisor to the Arté Film Festival. “The response from the audience and artists alike was clear: we need more ARTÉ in our lives!”

For many attendees, the festival felt deeply personal — a reminder of the power of seeing oneself reflected on screen and the joy of gathering around stories that resonate across generations and lived experiences.

“This took a minute since I was really in my feels with this one… Partnering with them wasn’t a business decision; it was a heart decision. I knew I had to be part of their HERstory.” shared Abbie Hamilton, of community presenter AAPIs in Gaming and The Inner Lantern. “They create spaces that feel like home.”

The event also highlighted the importance of supporting independent filmmakers and creating pathways for underrepresented voices in cinema. Through screenings, conversations, and shared experiences, Arté Film Festival reaffirmed that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for connection.

“It is heartwarming and inspiring when our film The Road to Sydney gets bravely programmed and screened, and meaningfully highlighted in a thoughtful film festival like the Arté Film Festival,” said Benito Bautista, director, writer, and producer of The Road to Sydney. Furthermore, the film’s producer, Emma Francisco underscores, “As streaming platforms continue to rise and theater attendance declines, film festivals like Arté are more important than ever. They remind us of the value of gathering as a community to share memorable and meaningful experiences that deepen our connection to one another and to our humanity. Sitting in a darkened room with strangers, united by a story unfolding on screen, creates a collective experience that only the magic of cinema can bring.”

The success of the inaugural festival signals a growing appetite for spaces that celebrate Filipino artistry, independent film, and meaningful cultural exchange. As the final credits rolled, one thing became clear: this was not simply a film event — it was the beginning of a movement for greater representation rooted in art, identity, and community.

The Philippine Consulate General issued this statement from newly-appointed Consul General to the Northwest, the Honorable Arnel Talisayon: “I congratulate Arté Film Festival organizers Joanne Tan and Keesa Ocampo, in partnership with Livermore Valley Arts, for bringing this remarkable festival to life. By creating a platform that celebrates the richness and diversity of the Filipino American experience through film, Arté helps amplify Filipino voices and strengthen connections among communities around the world.”

The inaugural festival also featured live performances by Kariktan Dance Company, Kulintang Dialect, Shawn Megofna, Arlene Rabuy, Da Island Fitness, and a roving fashion show featuring the couture of La Union Filipiniana and Weddings & Dreams. This year’s presentation was co-presented by Livermore Valley Arts, and sponsored by Ken Harvey’s Dublin Honda, Philippine Airlines, Santos Films, Mounir Kardosh, Mony Nop Real Estate, Marlon and Mona Roxas, Park Legacy Law Firm, JKapture, Tooney White Photography, and a special partnership with Pixar.

Arté producers, Ocampo and Tan, also announce their next event – a live musical experience to usher in the holidays, “LIWANAG!” (“Light!”)  in November 2026. Visit www.ProducedByArte.com for more details.

About Arté Film Festival
Arté Film Festival is a celebration of Filipino and diasporic storytelling through cinema, bringing together filmmakers, creatives, and communities to experience stories that inspire, challenge, and connect. Founded by Keesa Ocampo (WeSparq) and Joanne Tan (Good Morning Maxwell), the festival seeks to amplify underrepresented voices and create meaningful cultural experiences through film. www.ProducedByArte.com

ABOUT ARTÉ
Arté is a California-based immersive marketing, events, and production company born from the partnership between Joanne Tan (Good Morning Maxwell) and Keesa Ocampo (WeSparq). Arté blends cultural intelligence, strategic brand storytelling, and high-touch experiential production to create moments that resonate deeply and travel far. Joanne brings a refined eye for hospitality-driven experiences and campaigns, with an expertise in community-rooted programming shaped by her work building beloved lifestyle spaces and events. Keesa contributes growth-focused brand strategy, campaign architecture, and content systems that turn consistency into measurable impact, informed by years of leading WeSparq’s culture-led marketing work and two decades of media production as a two-time Emmy Award winning writer, producer and director. Together, they operate Arté at the intersection of strategy and sensation—designing experiences, campaigns, and productions that feel intentional, elevated, and community-centered. www.ProducedByArte.com