{"id":1025,"date":"2026-07-19T23:19:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T23:19:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/?p=1025"},"modified":"2026-07-19T23:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T23:21:36","slug":"isan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/?p=1025","title":{"rendered":"Isan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"1026\" src=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01_CSH_Isan_Poster-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01_CSH_Isan_Poster-2.jpg 533w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01_CSH_Isan_Poster-2-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 3rd generation owner of a local Denver Japanese market, reflects on the legacy of her family&#8217;s store as she prepares to pass the store to her daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Project Type:<\/strong> Documentary, Student, Short<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Genres:<\/strong> Documentary, Cultural, AAIPI<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Runtime:<\/strong> 14 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Completion Date:<\/strong> May 31, 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Country of Origin:<\/strong> United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Country of Filming:<\/strong> United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Language:<\/strong> English<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Headshot-524fdbc5b2-headshot.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Headshot-524fdbc5b2-headshot.jpg 450w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Headshot-524fdbc5b2-headshot-169x300.jpg 169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Director Biography &#8211;&nbsp;Ayla Perez<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com\/press_kits\/headshots\/003\/146\/811\/original\/524fdbc5b2-headshot.jpg?1779830323\"><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ayla Perez is a director and writer based in Denver, Colorado, where she was also born and raised. She comes from a mix of backgrounds that deeply influence her work, including a Japanese mother from Hawaii, a Mexican father raised in suburban Nebraska, several LGBTQ+ family members (including herself), and a neurodivergent family.<br>Because of this, she\u2019s drawn to telling stories that reflect the communities she grew up in. Her work focuses on stories of passion, perseverance, and unique perspectives, often centering voices and experiences that are underrepresented. Through both writing and documentary filmmaking, she aims to authentically capture the complexities of identity and belonging.<br>When she\u2019s not making films, Ayla enjoys drinking matcha, baking (and eating) Chocoflan and collecting anything Pompompurin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Director Statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pacific Mercantile is a shop I have visited since I was very young, and it has always held a special place in my life. Growing up in a community with few other Japanese people, the store became an important space where I could connect with my heritage. It gave me the opportunity to learn more about my culture, while also introducing me to a community of people who share similar experiences.<br>Through Pacific Mercantile, I have found a sense of belonging that I did not have elsewhere. The relationships and connections I\u2019ve built there mean so much to me. By creating this documentary, I hope to honor the store\u2019s impact and contribute to preserving its legacy.<br>I want to help ensure that Pacific Mercantile continues to thrive, so that others can find the same sense of community and cultural appreciation that it has given me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"578\" data-id=\"1028\" src=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-1-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.51.12_PM-1024x578.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1028\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-1-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.51.12_PM-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-1-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.51.12_PM-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-1-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.51.12_PM-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-1-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.51.12_PM-1536x868.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-1-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.51.12_PM.jpg 1788w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" data-id=\"1029\" src=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-2-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.21_PM-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-2-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.21_PM-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-2-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.21_PM-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-2-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.21_PM-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-2-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.21_PM-1536x859.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-2-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.21_PM.jpg 1780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" data-id=\"1031\" src=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-3-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.32_PM-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1031\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-3-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.32_PM-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-3-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.32_PM-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-3-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.32_PM-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-3-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.32_PM-1536x866.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-3-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.32_PM.jpg 1784w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"1032\" src=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-4-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.44_PM-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-4-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.44_PM-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-4-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.44_PM-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-4-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.44_PM-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-4-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.44_PM-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-4-Screenshot_2026-05-31_at_5.52.44_PM.jpg 1786w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" data-id=\"1030\" src=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-5-Untitled_2-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-5-Untitled_2-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-5-Untitled_2-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-5-Untitled_2-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-5-Untitled_2-1536x860.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Photo-5-Untitled_2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 3rd generation owner of a local Denver Japanese market, reflects on the legacy of her family&#8217;s store as she prepares to pass the store to her daughter. Director Biography &#8211;&nbsp;Ayla Perez Ayla Perez is a director and writer based in Denver, Colorado, where she was also born and raised. She comes from a mix &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/?p=1025\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Isan&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1032,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cultural-short-doc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1025"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1034,"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025\/revisions\/1034"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdfilmfestival.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}