The dreams of an aspiring musician, interrupted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is the basis for a new film opening in May at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

Staring Eva Noblezada, Princess Punzalan, and Tony-winner Lea Salonga, “Yellow Rose” tells the story of Rose Garcia, a 17-year-old Filipino American girl from Texas who secretly dreams of becoming a country music star. When her mom is arrested by immigration agents, Rose runs away and is forced to embark on a journey to forge her own path or face deportation with her mother back to the Philippines.

The film features original music composed and performed by the cast and director Diane Paragas, who said she took her inspiration from 1960s and ‘70s country music stars — like Loretta Lynn, PatsyCline and Willie Nelson — in an effort to create a protagonist immersed in Austin’s music scene.

Inspired by her own upbringing in the heart of Texas, Paragas wanted to make a film with her hometown of Austin as the setting and spent 15 years developing the movie.

In 2014, Paragas released a short version of “Yellow Rose” with the intent of expanding it to a feature film.

Eva Noblezada with country singer Dale Watson in "Yellow Rose," a musical drama which makes its debut at the 35th Los Angeles Asian Pacific American Film Festival in May 2019. August Thurmer

While casting for the feature, Paragas said she had her eye on Noblezada, who was performing in London in the West End production of “Miss Saigon” at the time.

When Noblezada came to