Main Photo - In Waves

In Waves

Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen and AJ Dungo, Author of Autobiographical Novel

Animated | 91 Minutes | English | Boston Premiere

  • Sunday, Oct. 25, 1:00PM EST
  • Emerson Paramount Center
  • Followed by Q&A with Directors

AJ (voiced by Will Sharpe), a reserved high school student in Los Angeles, spends his days drawing and skateboarding with his friends. Kristen (voiced by Stephanie Hsu), an energetic surfer, finds joy and freedom in the ocean. When they meet, curiosity evolves into deep love: Kristen teaches AJ to surf and shares its historical connection to Hawaiian culture. As their relationship grows closer, AJ is inspired to preserve their connection by drawing their story. An animated true story set against the sun-soaked surf culture of Southern California, IN WAVES explores the joy of finding your soulmate, the courage it takes to live life to the fullest, and the enduring power of love to shape who we become and what we leave behind.

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Director’s Bio – Phuong Mai Nguyen

Vietnamese-born director PHUONG MAI NGUYEN graduated from Gobelins and La Poudrière. She co-directed the adaptation of Pénélope Bagieu’s graphic novel Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World into a 30-episode animated series broadcast on France Télévisions in 2019. She regularly collaborates with other directors on storyboarding and visual development for animated films and series. She has directed several short films, including My Home, which was pre-selected for the César Awards and shortlisted for the Oscars in 2016. In Waves is her first feature film

Author of Autobiographical Graphic Novel – AJ Dungo

AJ DUNGO is an illustrator and graduate of the ArtCenter College of Design (California). Equally active in advertising (Nike, Vissla, Skechers…) and editorial work (The New York Times, Esquire…), he published his first graphic novel, In Waves, in 2019 with Nobrow/Flying Eye Books Ltd, and with Casterman for the French edition. In 2026, he returns to comics with the publication of a new graphic novel, Skating Wilder, once again with Flying Eye Books and Casterman. If you’re looking for him, you’ll probably find him surfing somewhere around Los Angeles.