In 1996, a Vietnamese-American kid named Ái Vân from San Jose, California is adopted by their paternal immigrant grandparents in Vancouver, Washington. On their journey, Ái Vân processes their identity, the unspoken rules of complex social dynamics, and discovers the reality of letting go.

The film won and was selected for the 2025 Diversity at Cannes Show Film Showcase. Additionally, Yellow Balloon was selected for ten (10) film festivals in both 2025 and 2026.