Tigertail Film Festival Overview
The Tigertail Asian Film Festival was held at AMC Sundial 12 in downtown St. Petersburg on March 14, 2026, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and community members for a full day celebrating storytelling and culture. The festival created an inclusive platform where emerging filmmakers, especially students and independent creators, were able to showcase their work and share meaningful stories with new audiences.
Throughout the day, attendees experienced a vibrant lineup of film screenings, live performances, and opportunities to connect with others who share an interest in storytelling and film. Events like the Tigertail Asian Film Festival highlight the growing creative community in St. Petersburg and demonstrate how film can bring people together by sharing diverse stories and cultural perspectives.
Although this year’s festival has concluded, Tigertail Pictures continues its mission to support emerging filmmakers and expand opportunities for cultural storytelling. If you’re interested in learning more, getting involved, or applying to participate in next year’s festival, visit the festival’s website. ttaff.org
Standout Screenings at Tigertail
This year’s festival featured several exciting screenings, including the East Coast premiere of the Oscar-winning short film Visas and Virtues and the East Coast premiere of the Chinese film Siling Lake Project. The event also showcased films connected to notable performers and creative teams, including work associated with the Jackie Chan Stunt Team.
One of the standout moments of the festival was the screening of the iconic martial arts classic Enter the Dragon, starring Bruce Lee. The film remains one of the most influential martial arts movies in cinema history and served as a powerful reminder of the lasting cultural impact of Asian cinema.
Tian Liu’s Mission
The Inspiration Behind Tigertail
As part of The Greenhouse’s efforts to support local entrepreneurs and creative initiatives, our team recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tian Liu, CEO of Tigertail Pictures and Co-Founder of the Tigertail Asian Film Festival. The Greenhouse has been proud to collaborate with Tian Liu, supporting and promoting the festival within the St. Petersburg community.
During our conversation, we asked Tian Liu what inspired her to create the festival. She explained she wanted to build a platform that highlights stories often underrepresented in mainstream cinema. As an Asian film producer who spent years working in the film industry, Tian Liu has witnessed firsthand how powerful it is when diverse voices are given the spotlight. She wanted to create this space where filmmakers, artists, and audiences from different cultural backgrounds could intersect through cinema.
“Film has the power to connect people,” Tian Liu shared, “The Tigertail festival is really about celebrating storytelling while helping new filmmakers find their voice.”
A Festival Built Around Community
Tian Liu describes the Tigertail Film Festival’s mission is to support emerging filmmakers. The festival provided a platform for new voices to share their stories, regardless of background or experience, and gain recognition in the film industry. While fostering connections between filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals, Tigertail also seeks to bridge communities through cultural storytelling. By highlighting fresh talent and diverse perspectives, the festival empowered artists and brought meaningful stories to a wider audience.
From Film Student to Industry Professional
Tian Liu understands the challenges young filmmakers face because she experienced them herself. Just six years ago, she was a film student trying to navigate the industry, facing common challenges such as limited funding, lack of connections, and uncertainty about where to begin. Fortunately, her dedication paid off. Her film projects were selected at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival three times and later went on to receive more than 100 awards for cinematography and producing. These opportunities opened doors to collaborations with renowned filmmakers and actors, including Dean Cundey, Tim Burton, Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Glenn Close, and Kim Basinger.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Tigertail carries several layers of meaning. The tiger is a powerful symbol in many Asian cultures, representing courage, strength, and resilience. All qualities reflected in the filmmakers and stories featured in the festival. The name also represents energy and movement. Tigertail is meant to be a dynamic cultural bridge, connecting Asian and Asian-inspired stories with audiences in Florida and beyond. On a personal note, Tian Liu chose the name ‘Tigertail’ to reflect her own initials, T.L., which bookend the festival’s name.
Why St. Petersburg?
Liu chose St. Petersburg as the home for the festival because of its vibrant arts community and rapidly growing creative scene. Local support for cultural events has played an important role in helping the festival grow.
Collaboration has also been central to the festival’s success. Tigertail has partnered with organizations including The Greenhouse, St Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Grounded Art by Hao, and SCFFX.
Looking Toward the Future
Tian Liu hopes the Tigertail Film Festival will continue to grow and flourish within the St. Petersburg community. In the long term, she envisions Tampa Bay becoming a stronger hub for film, storytelling, and cultural exchange. One exciting milestone this year was receiving support from the Academy Film Archive. This connection to one of the world’s most respected film preservation institutions underscores Tigertail’s commitment to celebrating meaningful cinema and strengthening its place within the larger film landscape.
Memorable Moments
For Tian Liu, one of the most rewarding parts of the festival is seeing filmmakers from different backgrounds connect with audiences.
“When someone tells me that a film changed their perspective or inspired them creatively, that’s when I feel fulfilled.” – Tian Liu
Advice for Emerging Artists
For aspiring filmmakers and artists, Liu offers a simple but powerful piece of advice:
Don’t give up. Believe in yourself.
“You don’t need perfect equipment or a big budget,” she explained. “The most important thing is to tell stories that are authentic to you.”
She encourages creators to stay curious, keep learning, and surround themselves with people who share their passion.
If you missed this year’s festival, we encourage you to stay connected and look forward to next year’s Tigertail Film Festival!
Be sure to follow along and visit the festival’s website for updates on upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.