Eva Noblezada will be in full bloom at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival…

LAAPFF organizers have revealed that the Diane Paragas film Yellow Rose, starring the 23-year-old half-Filipina/half-Mexican American actress/singer and Tony Award-nominee, will open the 35th edition of the festival.

This will mark the world premiere of Yellow Rose, Paragas’ feature film debut. 

Combining drama, music and the timely issue, Yellow Rose tells the story of a headstrong Filipino girl from a small Texas town who fights to pursue her dreams as a country music star while facing the threat of deportation.

“I am so humbled that our film has been chosen for this honor,” said Paragas. “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.”

Joining Noblezada in the film is Broadway star Lea Salonga, country music star Dale Watson, Liam Booth, Gustavo Gomez(The Walking Dead), Libby Villari(Boyhood), and Princess Punzalan(Mula Sa Puso).

The film features original songs written by Watson, Paragas, Noblezada and cast.

The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will run May 2-10 in Los Angeles during Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

Yellow Rose is supported by New York-based Asian CineVision, Cinematografo Originals (ABS-CBN Global), and was awarded the Ravenal FoundationFeature Film Grant last year by the New York Women in Film & Television.

Yellow Rose will premiere at 7:00 pm on May 2 at the Aratani Theatreat the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Noblezada portrayed the lead role of Kim in the 2014 West End and 2017 Broadway revivals of Miss Saigon, performances that earned her a 2015 WhatsOnStage Award and 2017 Tony Award nomination.

She’ll next star as Eurydice in the Broadway musical Hadestown.