Diane Paragas’ musical-driven film Yellow Rose, starring the previously announced Tony winner Lea Salonga and Tony nominee Eva Noblezada, will make its debut opening the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, according to Deadline.

The 35th edition of the festival runs May 2-10 in Los Angeles; Yellow Rose will be screened May 2 at 7 PM in the Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.

The film follows the tale of Rose (Noblezada), a 17-year-old Filipino-American teenager from Texas who dreams of becoming a country music icon. She has to fend for herself, however, when her mother is arrested by ICE, and must choose between following her dreams without her mother or leaving her passions behind. Tony winner Salonga plays Rose's aunt.

“I am so humbled that our film has been chosen for this honor,” Paragas told Deadline. “Yellow Rose has taken over 15 years to make and it couldn’t come at a more important time when anti-immigrant sentiment is at an all-time high. This is a story for everyone facing challenges in finding their voice, their dreams and, more importantly, their home.”

In addition to Miss Saigon vets Salonga and Noblezada, the cast features Dale Watson, Liam Booth, Gustavo Gomez, Libby Villari, and Princess Punzalan. Noblezada, who made her Broadway debut in the Saigon revival and is part of the cast of the new Broadway musical Hadestown, is also among the film's composers, as are Watson and Paragas.

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Celebrating Lea Salonga on the Stage

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