The 2011 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF), which ran March 10-20, 2011 and presented by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), concluded with an estimated attendance of 25,000, including over 200 filmmakers, actors and other industry guests. 129 shows, more than half of which were sold out, created an exciting buzz throughout the 11-day event. This year’s program boasted 5 world premieres, 7 North American premieres, 4 U.S. premieres, and 25 San Francisco premieres.

Festival Director Masashi Niwano said: “SFIAAFF has long been the nation’s premiere showcase for Asian American and Asian films. But with 110 feature-length and short films from 20 countries, plus a host of interactive events, this year was CAAM’s most ambitious yet. We are delighted by the new ways the audience is engaging with the festival, and we look forward to seeing them at our 30th anniversary next year.”

2011 Narrative Competition
The narrative jury included Aseem Chhabra, Quentin Lee and Leonardo Nam.

Best Film: THE IMPERIALISTS ARE STILL ALIVE!, Dir. Zeina Durra
Jury Statement: Great filmmaking has to be courageous. This film has a clever and engaging script and an inspired sense of humor. Depicting a slice of life of an artist, it takes us inside the world of eccentric artists in New York and reminds us of the freshness of Wayne Wang’s CHAN IS MISSING.

Special Jury Prize: THE TAQWACORES, Dir. Eyad Zahra
Jury Statement: It’s an important thing for this film to be made because it shows the diversity of Islam that we don’t see in popular media. With well-drawn characters that we care about, the film is engaging to a universal audience.

2011 Documentary Competition
The documentary jury included Anita Chang, Jessie Mangaliman and Alex Rivera.

Best Film: MADE IN INDIA, Dirs. Rebecca Haimowitz and Vaishali Sinha
Jury Statement: An unflinching and surprising look at a rapidly growing industry that puts women’s bodies on a new global market.

Visual Achievement Award: SUMMER PASTURE, Dirs. Lynn True and Nelson Walker
Jury Statement: A lyrical treatment of an ancient living tradition – set against a harsh and breathtaking landscape – battling the forces of urbanization and the free market.

Award for Achievement in Citizen Journalism: OPEN SEASON, Dirs. Lu Lippold and Mark Tang
Jury Statement: A nuanced approach to an urgent contemporary issue – that of refugee and migrant struggles to find a home and justice in 21st-century America.

2011 Audience Awards
The festival moviegoers voted for the Audience Awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature. Award winners were tallied based on paper ballots and a text-to-vote system. The 2011 Audience Award winners are:

Best Narrative Feature: SURROGATE VALENTINE, Dir. Dave Boyle
Best Documentary Feature: ONE VOICE, Dir. Lisette Marie Flanary

2011 Loni Ding Award in Social Issue Documentary
This year, for the first time, CAAM presented the Loni Ding Award in Social Issue Documentary in memory of the filmmaker, educator and activist’s commitment to illuminating the experiences of underrepresented communities. The award and a prize of $1,000, was given to director Sybil Wendler for her short film ONCE UPON A ROOFTOP, which chronicles the lives of the rooftop-dwelling population of Hong Kong.

Look for these award winners and more coming to a film festival near you.

2011 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival Trailer