2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival Trailer

San Diego, the 9th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival is coming up running from October 9th through the 16th. So far, they've secure the top Asian American films, along with films from more than 13 countries including the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, India, Singapore, and many other regions around the world!

Here's the list from their site. This list is subject to change.

DRAMATIC NARRATIVE FEATURES
200 Pounds Beauty directed by Yong-Hwa Kim (S. Korea)
Accuracy of Death directed by Masaya Kakei (Japan)
Always: Sunset on Third Street directed by Takashi Yamazaki (Japan)
Always: Sunset on Third Street 2 directed by Takashi Yamazaki (Japan)
An American in China directed by Ron Berrett (U.S./China)
Assembly directed by Feng Xiaogang (China/Hong Kong)
Big Man Japan directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto (Japan)
Black Belt directed by Shunichi Nagasaki (Japan)
Chocolate directed by Prachya Pinkaew (Thailand)
Dance of the Dragon directed by John Radel (Singapore)
Dororo directed by Akihiko Shiota (Japan)
Drawing Paper directed by Sunhee Kim (S. Korea)
The Fish Fall in Love directed by Ali Rafi'I (Iran)
Foster Child (John John) directed by Brilliante Mendoza (Philippines)
Genghis Khan: To The Ends of the Earth directed by Shinichiro Sawai (Japan)
Hellcats directed by Kwon Chil-in (S. Korea)
Kissing Cousins directed by Amyn Kaderali (U.S.)
L: Change The World directed by Hideo Nakata (Japan)
Lovers directed by Carl Zhang (Hong Kong)
Magazine Gap Road directed by Nicholas Chin (Hong Kong)
My Father directed by Dong Hyeuk Hwang (S. Korea/U.S.)
Ocean of Pearls directed by Sarab Neelam (U.S.)
Open City directed by Lee Sang-Gi (S. Korea)
Ping Pong Playa directed by Jessica Yu (U.S.)
Planet B-Boy directed by Benson Lee
Santa Mesa directed by Ron Morales (U.S./Philippines)
Secret directed by Jay Chou (Hong Kong)
Shadows in the Palace directed by Kim Mee-jeung. (S. Korea)
Sleepwalking Through the Mekong directed by John Pirozzi
Slingshot (Tirador) directed by Brilliante Mendoza (Philippines)
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers directed by Wayne Wang (U.S.)
Vexille directed by Fumihiko Sori (Japan)
The White Silk Dress directed by Luu Huynh (Vietnam)
The World Unseen Directed by Shamim Sarif (S. Africa)

FEATURE DOCUMENTARIES
Against the Grain: An Artist's Survival Guide to Peru directed by Ann Kaneko (Peru)
A Cricket in the Court of Akbar directed by Andrew Mendelson (U.S./India)
Children of the Stars directed by Rob Aspey
Dirty Hands directed by Harry Kim (U.S./Africa/Japan)
Family Inc. by Emily Ting (U.S./China)
Follow Your Hearts: China's New Youth Movement directed by Duncan Jepson
Hollywood Chinese directed by Arthur Dong (U.S.)
House of Sharing directed by Hein Seok (S. Korea)
The Killing of a Chinese Cookie directed by Derek Shimoda (U.S.)
Meaning of Tea directed by Scott Chamberlin Hoyt (U.S./Japan/India/Morocco)
Mystic Ball directed by Greg Hamilton (Myanmar/Canada)
Oh, Saigon directed by Doan Hoang (U.S./Vietnam)
Passing Poston directed Joe Fox and James Nubile (U.S.)
Please Vote for Me directed Weijun Chen (China/S. Africa/Denmark)
Red Race directed by Chao Gan (China)
Shame directed by Mohammed Naqvi (Pakistan)
Sleepwalking in the Mekong directed by John Pirozzi (Cambodia)
The Story of Spirits directed by Tien Nguyen (U.S./Vietnam)
Wings of Defeat directed by Risa Morimoto (U.S.)
Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown directed by Daisy Lin Shapiro (U.S.)
Under the Skin directed by Billy Burke (U.S./Japan)

SHORT FILMS
364 Cranes directed by Vincent Lin
A Drop of Life directed by Shalini Kantayya
A Passing Rain directed by Myoung Hwa Kim
The Agent directed by David Kim
Aim For The Heart: A Guide to Vampire Defense directed by Fernando Huerto
The Asian Arrow directed by Richard B Quebral
An Immigrant Girl’s Journey directed by Lonny Stevens
Anjali directed by Maya Anand
Bite Me directed by Jason Fong
Blood Debts directed by Roland Nguyen
Bombay Skies directed by Rita Rani
Bookie directed by Bao Tran
The Breakup directed Erica Eng
California King directed by Eli Akira Kauffman
Celebration directed by Rochelle Lozada
Cookies for Sale directed by Wes Kim
Damn the Past! directed by Julie Kang
Dance of a Freebird directed by Ruslan Pak
Dead Man's Hour directed Nathan Kitada
Dear Heidi directed by John Ferrie
Drowning directed Erica Eng
EAT directed by Arvin Chen, Danny Jai Lee, & Jon Maxwell
Escaping the Norm by Glenn Gimutao
Follow the Signs directed by Steve Godwin
Gandhi at the Bat directed by Stephanie Argy
Giving Care directed Clarissa De Los Reyes
I-Hotel directed by Jason Nou
Just directed by Edward Gunawan
Legend directed by Mark Villegas
Kali Ma directed Soman Chainani
Knees directed by Minhyun Park
LibraAmor directed by Steve Ellington
Light My Fire directed Lee Jong-Pil
Light Years directed by Richard Martin
The Little Knave directed by Sarah Naomi Campbell
Little Manila directed by Marissa Aroy
Look Again directed by Jennifer Lin
Mamo's Weeds directed by Akira Boch
Miss Popularity directed by Wayne Yung
Moon Lady directed by Wendy Cheng
My First Crush directed by Rocky Jo
The Oh-Malleys in Daddy's My Mercedes directed by Chil Kong
Passage directed by Angela How
The Postcard directed by Josh Kim
Residue directed by Jared Davis
Save Ron Jr. directed by Michael Yubane (U.S.)
S/he directed by Gina Pei Chai Chen
Smile directed by Julia Kwan
Snap-shot directed by Suel Kim
Souvenirs from Asia directed by Joyce Wong
The State of Sunshine directed by Z. Eric Yang
Sublingual directed by Karen Lin
Tiffin directed by Ai Lene Chor
Timeless directed by Jeffrey Ferrer
The Trident directed by Anurag Mehta
Triple 8 Palace directed by Alexander Ku
Untitled directed by Edward Kim
What Happened on the Fourth Date directed by Vijay Mathew
With Every Breath directed by Lindsey Yung
WIANBU - Comfort Woman directed by James Bang
The Women's Kingdom directed by Xiaoli Zhou
You've Got Male directed by Ryan Kim and Christopher Nguyen

ANIMATION
Abridged directed by Arjun Rihan
Alien Abduction directed by David Han
Against the Grain directed by Kevin Kolodinsky
Apple/Bird & the Bee "Again & Again" directed by Dennis Liu
Awkward directed by Cesar Kuriyama
Battle of the Album Covers directed by Rohitash Rao
Hallucii directed by by Goo Shun Wang
Josie's Lalaland directed by Yibi Hu
Ketchup directed by Wenchung Lu
Magicicada directed by Benett Kim
Meat Days directed by Wen-ming Hsieh
The Mouse Trap directed by Woon Han
Nadal Vs. Alien directed by Tak Hoon Kim
The Possum directed by Chris Choy
Prekisstoric Times directed by Leo Matsuda
Sexy girl and Carpenter directed by Dong Keun Lee
Shooting Star directed by Ryan Chen
Snow Day directed by Kim Hazel
Sports and Diversions directed Bum Lee
Swimming Moon directed Nahomi Maki
Yellow Sticky Notes directed by Jeff Chiba Stearns


2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival Trailer

2008 Asian Film Festival of Dallas

Just like the soaring temperatures that hit the metroplex this time every year, moviegoers can once again look forward to screaming-hot movie options at the 7th Annual Asian Film Festival of Dallas, scheduled from August 14th – 21st, 2008 at Landmark’s Magnolia Theater. With more than 40 films to choose from, movie fans can beat the heat with 8 days of film from 10 countries, including Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines. The Asian Film Festival of Dallas is more than just a film festival – it’s a combination of cinema and cultural experiences that help spread the importance of diversity among Asian Internationals, Asian-Americans and other groups in our community. With entries that range from traditional and lyrical beauty to the bleeding edge of modern film expression, the AFFD is proud to once again offer a fiery palette of movie options to Dallas enthusiasts. Many of these films are currently making the festival circuit, and more still have been imported directly from other countries. Either way, this may be your only option to see many of these on the big screen, before they gain a US distributor!

This year’s festival will open with “PING PONG PLAYA,“ the latest film from JESSICA YU, Academy-Award winning director of BREATHING LESSONS and IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL, who will be in attendance with lead actor JIMMY TSAI. The Centerpience Film is "The Assembly" based on a true story of one man's journey in search of truth and honor in the aftermath of one of the bloodiest battles in the Chinese Civil War. The Closing Night Film is the much-anticipated satire “BE A MAN! SAMURAI SCHOOL,“ the directorial debut of Asian cult film hero TAK SAKAGUCHI (VERSUS, DEATH TRANCE), who will also be in attendance.

This should be an interesting documentary since the Olympics are taking place in Beijing.
Watch Boomtown Beijing trailer

Big Dreams Little Tokyo DVD release

Boyd (Dave Boyle), a self-proclaimed businessman convinced he's Japanese, and his roommate Jerome (Jayson Watabe), a sluggish but affable Japanese-American sumo wrestler, have big dreams for themselves. Together, the two travel door-to-door by tandem bike, giving flyers and sales pitches to anyone who listens...but Boyd's Japanese clients aren't buying his "Translation Services," and no one will give Jerome--a paltry 200 pounds--a chance in the ring. When they meet Mai (Rachel Morihiro), who is unfazed by their oddities and offers a hand, Boyd and Jerome discover that in a world where cultural identity is seldom what it seems, there's a place for everyone. The movie also stars Drew Knight, James Kyson Lee, Michael Yama and Pepe Serna.

Buy Big Dreams Little Tokyo DVD

Big Dreams Little Tokyo trailer

Reel in the Vote 2008

REEL IN THE VOTE is a non-partisan campaign launched by the San Diego Asian Film Foundation to encourage more Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) to participate in the democratic process during this crucial election year. Through the power of grassroots media and the sheer number of attendees at our annual film festival, they believe REEL IN THE VOTE can make a difference.

If you have access to a video camera and a great idea, here's your chance to take action in 30 seconds! The San Diego Asian Film Foundation is challenging YOU to submit a 30-second public service announcement that promotes civic responsibility and democratic participation in the electoral and public policy processes. In other words, your PSA should help encourage voter registration and participation in the APIA community. Be creative!

They will choose a winner to receive $1000 and a Sony HDF-FX1 HDV Camcorder (worth $3700), plus bragging rights - the winning PSA will be screened before all film programs at the film festival. Entries must be postmarked by July 31, and no more than 30 seconds in length.

Download contest rules and application.

Watch a sample PSA

2008 DC APA Film Trailer Contest

javascript:void(0) Publish Post The 9th Annual DC Asian Pacific American (APA) Film Festival is coming up this September and they neeed your help. DC APA Film and Scion Motors have partnered up again this year to bring you the 2008 DC APA Film Festival Trailer Contest, now in its third year. It's all pretty simple. You make a 30-second trailer promoting their festival. Your trailer may be highlighted on their site and included as part of their promotional efforts for the festival. The Grand Prize winning trailer will also be screened before most -- if not all -- screenings throughout the festival. And if that's not incentive enough for you, they're awarding cash prizes to the top two finalists, $600 to the grand prize winner and $200 to the first runner up. For details and rules, go here.

Here's last year's winner for the 2007 DC APA Film Trailer Contest

72 Hour Film Shootout Award Winners Announced

Here's the list of winners announce today for the 5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout Award:

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Team Big Egg
“No Holding Back”

1ST RUNNER-UP
Team Fish Grenade
“Drain”

2ND RUNNER-UP
Team Color TV
“Cold War”

TOP TEN FILMS
(Alphabetical Order by Team Name)

Azn Rejects
“Suspense’s How to Jedi Mind Trick the B*tches”

Big Egg
“No Holding Back”

CinemAsia
“Say Goodbye”

Color TV
“Cold War”

Fish Grenade
“Drain”

Inspirasian
“First Goodbye Cleaning Agency”

Last Minute Films
“Killer Headline”

Sans Humor
“A First Goodbye”

Vision
“Say Goodbye”

White Rabbit
“Miles Apart”

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Best Actor
Rain Noe
Team Color TV, “Cold War”

Best Actress
Tess Paras
Team Color TV, “Cold War”

Best Cinematography
Nara Garber
Team White Rabbit, “Miles Apart”

Best Direction
Derek Shimoda
Team Fish Grenade, “Drain”

Best Editing
Derek Shimoda
Team Fish Grenade, “Drain”

Best Story
CinemAsia, “Say Goodbye”

Most Original Use of Theme
Team Color TV, “Cold War”

Audience Award
Team Grace, Wtf, “Discard”

Chinatown Award
Team Zeitgeist ArtWorks, “Spofford Alley”

Congrats to all the winners!!

Watch the extended version of "Suspense’s How to Jedi Mind Trick the B*tches" by Azn Rejects

72 Hour Film Shootout voting closes today

The 72 Hour Film Shootout Audience Award voting closes at 11:59pm EST, Friday, July 11. The awards are live this Sunday, July 13, at Asia Society, New York City. The ceremony begins at 12:30pm. Find out who will be in The Top 10 Films, who will be the Best Of, who will win the Chinatown Award, who will claim the Audience Award, and who will be crowned Grand Prize Winner.

You can still vote here.
Watch some behind the scenes footage from Killer Headline

The Princess of Nebraska - AAIFF 2008 Opening Night

Tonite is opening night for the Asian American International Film Festival 2008, which runs July 10–19, 2008 in New York. The opening night film will be "The Princess of Nebraska" co-directed by Wayne Wang (Joy Luck Club, Maid in Manhattan) and Richard Wong (Colma:the Musical, Option 3). The screenign kicks off at 7:30pm with Wayne Wang, Richard Wong, and Ling Li in attendance. Get your tickets here.

Synopsis for The Princess of Nebraska

Based in Yiyun Li's award-winning book of short stories, The Princess of Nebraska sketches the travails of a young college student, Sasha (Ling Li) who arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area to procure an abortion. With the father, Yang, missing, Sasha seeks out Yang's male lover, Boshen (Brian Danforth), for support and closure. The intricacies of intimacy have long been Wang's hallmark, but digital cinematographer and co-director Richard Wong adds a layer of kinetic edginess. Not only does Wong close in on simple, meaning-laden gestures, but sequences of The Princess of Nebraska are shot as if through Sasha's cell-phone camera. The film is the first narrative feature produced by the Center for Asian American Media.

Watch the teaser for The Princess of Nebraska

Asian American International Film Festival Trailer

Asian CineVision with Asia Society presents the Asian American International Film Festival 2008, July 10–19, 2008. This year’s outstanding lineup includes one world premiere, two U.S. premieres, six East Coast premieres, and seven New York premieres. Debuting a new interdisciplinary program in 2008, Asian CineVision also presents New Landscapes: Media and Its Adaptations, a series of panels examining issues relevant to Asia and Asian diasporas.

The Festival will open on Thursday, July 10 at 7:30PM with PRINCESS OF NEBRASKA, marking acclaimed director Wayne Wang’s return to indie filmmaking. The Centerpiece Presentation will be on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30PM with the U.S. premiere of THE SPEED OF LIFE, directed by Ed Radtke. The Festival will close on Saturday, July 19 at 7:00PM with PING PONG PLAYA, the first narrative feature film from director Jessica Yu.

Here's some of our recommendations for films to watch :

The Killing of a Chinese Cookie


Kissing Cousins


Pretty To Think So


Always Be Boyz

Watch the trailer for the Asian American International Film Festival

72 Hour Film Shootout voting begins

After being delayed by a couple days, the voting for the 5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout has now started. The theme this year was "a first goodbye". There are almost 40 shorts for viewing and voting for the audience awards, so cast your online ballots from July 2-July 11. You are allowed to vote ONCE, and ONLY ONCE. You must pick YOUR FAVORITE, and can ONLY VOTE FOR ONE FILM. You can watch and vote here.

We noticed the site keep going up and down, so be patient. (Maybe there is too much traffic for the site to handle!!)

Watch last year's People’s Choice Shootout Awards "SECRET CHINESE SECRET"

72 Hour Film Shootout Entries

72 Hour Film Shootout competition ended on Monday and has now entered the judging phase. The Judging Panel includes producer Karin Chien (The Motel), director Michael Kang (The Motel), editor/producer Jean Tsien (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), director/writer Alice Wu (Saving Face), Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment Marci Phillips, director Benson Lee (Planet B-boy), actor Sung Kang (The Motel and Ninja Assassin), writer/film festival programmer Grady Hendrix (New York Asian Film Festival).
Here's more information about the judging

The Round One Judging Panel will consist of AAFL 72 Hour Shootout staff. Entries will be judged based on filmmaking ability, production value, originality, successful incorporation of the theme, and overall creativity. Out of the original submission pool, the Top 15 films will be selected to advance to the final round of judging. In addition, the Round One Judging Panel will nominate up to five films or persons for each of the individual award categories.

The Final Judging Panel (Round Two) will select the Top 10 films, two (2) Finalist Prize Winners, and one (1) Grand Prize Winner. Entries will be judged based on filmmaking ability, production value, originality, successful incorporation of the theme, and overall creativity. All of Individual Awards will be determined by the Final Judging Panel.

72 Hour Film Shootout Entries are starting to pop up on YouTube. You can see one from Team Suprise Film and another from Team Stubborn Cat. The theme for this year was "A first goodbye"

"Foreign Exchange" - Team Suprise Films

"A Frist Goodbye" - Team Stubborn Cat

72 Hour Film Shootout begins

The 5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout kicks off now. Teams only have 72 hours (June 20-23, 2008) to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. This weekend will be a busy for shootout teams. Judges for the competition include Sung Kang (Finishing the Game, Fast and Furious 3: Tokyo Drift, Ninja Assassin) and Benson Lee (Planet B-boy).

The theme for the 2008 72 Hour Film Shootout is "A first goodbye". Also the competition has added a separate award category sponsored by The Museum of Chinese in America's (MOCA) Chinatown Film Project. If you include Chinatown as location or narrative device in your film, you are eligible to be considered for the "Chinatown Award"

Good Luck to everyone!!!

Here's Tanju Chopra (Punching at the Sun) giving you some motivation

Subway Cinema - New York Asian Film Festival

If you are in NYC, check out this film festival. It kicks off today. There's a great line up of films. The opening film is Ryo Iwamatsu's Then Summer Came. Check it out tonite.

Launched in 2002, Subway Cinema's New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is one of America's leading and most influential showcase for popular Asian cinema. Each year, the Festival selects over 30 feature films, considering only the best, the strangest, and the most entertaining of the recent titles.

The New York Asian Film Festival's intimate atmosphere allows for a personal and relaxed interaction between the audience and the filmmakers, which is all but lost at larger film events. Festival guests do everything from conducting Q&A’s, to giving away prizes and even putting on puppet shows!

Watch the trailer for the New York Asian Film Festival

New York Asian American International Film Festival site launch

The site for the 2008 Asian American International Film Festival in New York City is live. The festival runs from July 10–19, 2008. Three premieres anchor this year's lineup for Opening Night, Closing Night, and Centerpiece Presentations.


Opening Night Presentation (Princess of Nebraska)


Centerpiece Presentation (The Speed of Life)


Closing Night Presentation (Ping Pong Playa)

Watch the trailer for The Speed of Life directed by Ed Radtke

5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout call for entries

The 5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout which will take place this year from June 20-23, 2008. The Shootout is a nationwide competition where filmmaking teams are given a common theme at the start and have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. Teams compete for cash and prizes and the chance to have their films screened at film festivals, both nationally and internationally.

The intention of this competition is to create opportunities for Asian Americans to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry, and impact the visibility of Asian American stories and characters in film and television. One of the Shootout requirements is that at least one key production member (e.g., director, producer, or writer) and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent.

The 5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout begins on Friday, June 20, 2008, at 8pm. The competition theme will be announced at the New York City launch party to be held at White Rabbit Lounge (145 East Houston Street, New York, NY) and simultaneously posted online at 72hourfilmshootout.com at 8pm. The Top 10 Shootout films will screen at the New York Asian American International Film Festival organized by Asian Cinevision (July 10-19, 2008), the First Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (October 24-30 2008), and a special screening event organized by NYC-based Aspire Asian Film Circle.

AND…

AAFilmLab together with the Museum of Chinese in America (MoCA) have added a special award category to this year’s Shootout: The Chinatown Award! Films that incorporate a Chinatown as a location or narrative device are entered into the “Chinatown Award” category. Selection of the winning film will be decided by both MoCA and AAFilmLab. The Chinatown Award will be comprised of in-kind services totaling $3000 from Deluxe New York. (The inclusion of the Chinatown element in a film has no bearing whatsoever on judging for other award categories.)

And what will this year’s Theme be? Find out June 20 at 8pm (EDT)…

Last year's theme was "Elizabeth Ong is missing". See some of the winners from last year. Here's "You've Got Male" by Team 100% (Grand Prize Winner)


Here's "Secret Chinese Secret" by Team Foreign Image (2nd Runner Up and People’s Choice Winner)

3rd Annual Talent One Media Film Festival

Talent One Media is proud to announce the 3rd Annual T.O.M. Film Festival set to begin at 5:30pm on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at the Aratani Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo, in Downtown Los Angeles, CA. The event will is Free Admission and open to the public.

This special 1-day event will premiere 10 original short films, feature live outdoor music from Slum Peasants and Elements of The Outer Realm, and will also feature an Awareness Resource area for partnering organizations. Film goers will not only enjoy Free admission for the festival, but they’ll have the opportunity to find out more about local and global initiatives to fight and end modern day slavery.

Talent One Media, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was created in 2005 by passionate filmmakers, artists, musicians, and community leaders whose goal is to positively impact and influence the world around them. The organization focuses on creating an environment for artists to use their talents for a greater cause and purpose. Through out the year, Talent One Media is committed to assisting and encouraging filmmakers and artists to take their skills and crafts to the next level and is able to achieve this through various resources and networks.

Watch the trailer for the Talent One Media Film Festival

8th Annual Slant Film Festival in Houston

This weekend only experience the 8th Annual Slant Film Festival. For the 8th year, Aurora Picture Show presents Slant, an eclectic showcase of the best in emerging Asian American cinema. The festival runs for 3 days this year. Catch all the action at:

Aurora Picture Show
800 Aurora Street
Houston, TX

Opening Night Films - Shorts - May 30 @ 8pm
What do missed connections, using bananas as weapons, and a little girl´s persistence in selling cookies have in common? Nothing, until we brought them together for Slant! This program of experimental and narrative films weaves together the humorous and the poetic. Some films tackle stereotypes, while others travel through memory and longing.

Getting to Nobu - May 31 @ 8pm
Join Slant veteran and our favorite TV personality, Nobu Adilman, for a special show-and-tell screening of his short films and television shows. Nobu is the co-producer of Food Network Canada's Food Jammers and Invention Nation. His career has included writing for network television (Emily of New Moon, Cold Squad), acting (Trailer Park Boys, Parsley Days), hosting CBC’s Smart Ask! for two years, guest hosting CBC’s late night program, ZeD, and pop culture reporting on CBC Newsworld’s Play.

Documentary Showcase - June 1 @ 8pm
In this program of documentaries, family members hold on to each other and their memories even when outside forces try to tear them apart.

Here's what you can expect from Slant 8. Watch the teaser for Slant Volume 1 DVD - Asian American Short Films

Johnnie To film series in San Francisco Bay Area

The Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley is putting together a Johnnie To film series. If you have ever wanted to check out Johnnie To's films, here's your chance. Here's the schedule for the film series over the next month.

Thursday, May 29, 2008
6:30 p.m. The Mission
Five gunmen must unite to keep a triad boss alive. A neon-lit tribute to Hawks, Mann, and Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai.

Thursday, May 29, 2008
8:15 p.m. Fulltime Killer
Two killers battle for supremacy in this comic-book montage of film tributes and pulp-novel conceits that makes Tarantino look like Bresson.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
7:30 p.m. Running on Karma
Andy Lau is a Buddhist monk turned male stripper who can see past lives and predict the future in To’s crazed superhero genre mash-up. Like Spider-Man rewritten by the Dalai Lama.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
7:30 p.m. Throw Down
Aaron Kwon seeks judo guidance from ex-champion, now-drunkard Louis Koo in To’s sweet-natured remake of Kurosawa’s Sanshiro Sugata. “The absolute best neo-samurai judo farce in town.”—Village Voice

Thursday, June 12, 2008
7:00 p.m. Breaking News
A police-versus-gunmen showdown turns into media warfare in this Cannes-selected thriller, a Dog Day Afternoon on the streets of Hong Kong.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008
6:30 p.m. Election
Two gangsters campaign (and kill) to win a triad election in this gunless thriller with “a Shakespearean hue, and a rich political and moral subtext.”—N.Y. Times

Wednesday, June 18, 2008
8:30 p.m. Triad Election
An over-educated, money-obsessed hoodlum gets sucked into triad (and governmental) deceits in this Darwinian-capitalist satire and “exemplary gangster thriller.”—N.Y. Times

Saturday, June 21, 2008
8:45 p.m. Exiled
Nattily attired hitmen square off in scenic Macao in this “enjoyable action thriller with a bracing touch of political satire.”—Manchester Guardian

Friday, June 27, 2008
8:40 p.m. Mad Detective
Lau Ching-wan is a cop who can sense the paranormal in a “wild, hilarious, and thoroughly disturbing entertainment.”—Vancouver Film Festival

Watch the trailer for Johnnie To's Exiled.

Philly Asian Film Festival looking for film submissions

The Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation is now accepting submissions for its 1st Annual Asian American Film Festival. Held from October 24 - 30, 2008, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is dedicated to supporting Asian American films and filmmakers by education, interaction, and participation throughout the Philadelphia area.



To be eligible, short and feature productions must be directed by, produced by, or starring Asian Americans, or with subject matter concerning Asian American issues. The selected entries will be screened during the festival.

Deadlines for submissions are July 7th for early and August 11 for final. Discounts are also available for any early and electronic entries. Submit your short or feature film through Withoutabox.com and get in on our early bird deadline!

You can submit a short film like Wong Fu Productions "The Spare"

48th Annual SFSU Film Finals

48th Annual SFSU Film Finals
Date: Friday, May 16, 2008
Time: 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: the Mc Kenna Theater (CA building),
San Francisco State Campus
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA

5:30 pm; Reception with free food and wine @CA153.

7:00pm; Juried screenings features top student films, opening remarks by Oscar-winning alum Steven Okazaki, and celebration of retiring professors Jim Kitses and Pat Ferrero @the McKenna Theater (in CA building).

Steven Okazaki is a academy award winning documentary filmmaker. His most recent film "White Lite/Black Rain" interviews A-bomb survivors who has been still suffering pain from injures and discrimination by aftereffect of the bomb. We are really really honored to have him who always tells us hidden truth about the war and our society through his films.

Watch the trailer for the 48th Annual SFSU Film Finals:

2008 Chinatown Film Festival Call for Entries

The Chinatown Film Festival, 2008 New York Edition, announces the call for entries for Feature Length, Documentary, Short Subject, Experimental Project and Animation films. The 2008 Chinatown Film Festival will be held October 2008 with screenings in Chinatown, New York. Submission forms can be downloaded online at the official Chinatown Film Festival website.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. Movies should not be ever screened in USA, and they should be Asian (produced, directed and filmed in Asia).
2. We will accept movies from China (including Hong Kong), Singapore, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Mongolia, Viet-Nam, Cambodia and Thailand.
3. Movies should be in the original language with English (and possibly simplified Chinese) subtitles.

Please be aware of the following closing dates for submissions.

MAY 30, 2008 (postmark) EARLY SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE
Entry fees for Early Submissions is $20.00

JULY 15, 2008 (postmark) Official LAST DAY FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE
Entry fees for All Submissions is $35.00

LATE SUBMISSION DEADLINE AUGUST 29, 2008 (delivered and received by Chinatown Film Festival Office, be aware your movie may be not included in the official selection)
Entry fee for Late Submissions is $75.00

Please note that entry fees are non-refundable.

Here's some footage from the 2007 Chinatown Film Festival Fashion Show Fundraiser:

2008 Asian Film & Television Festival

The 2008 Asian Film & Television Festival is free five-day event that will showcase films of varying topics that will help to assist in bridging the gap between Asian and American cultures. Here's where you can go to catch the free flix.

Date: Monday to Friday, May 12 to 16, 2008
Time: 2PM to 4PM; & 4PM to 6PM
Place: Chinese Community Center
64 Mott Street, Manhattan

The other goal of the Asian Film & Television Festival is get people to visit New York City's Chinatown. Since September 11, 2001, Chinatown’s economy has suffered tremendously through the loss of jobs, businesses and traffic access in Lower Manhattan.

Later this week they are showing Rice Rhapsody:

Silk Screen: Asian American Film Festival

The Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival kicks off today and runs May 9-18, 2008 in Pittsburgh. The festival will be showcasing 25 films in multiple venues. Silk Screen will feature films made by Asians and Asian-Americans at the three Pittsburgh Filmmakers venues: The Regent Square Theater, Harris Theater, and the Melwood Screening Room.

The opening night film on May 9, 2008 is “Before The Rains” starring Nandita Das and Rahul Bose. Director Santosh Sivan will be visiting from India to present the film and conduct a Q&A. The Special Presentation includes four Nikkatsu Action films: The Warped Ones, Glass Johnny: Looks Like a Beast, A Colt is My Passport, and Plains Wanderer. Other films screening at the festival include Dark Matter, Never Forever, The Home Song Stories, Santa Mesa, Ping Pong Playa, and Option 3. Check the Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival for full festival schedule.

Watch the trailer for the Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival:


Festival Director Harish Saluja speaking about the Silk Screen: Asian American Film Festival:

The Home Song Stories

The Home Song Stories is the true story of Rose (Joan Chen), a glamorous Shanghai nightclub singer, who struggles to survive in seventies Australia with two young children. Based on writer/director Tony Ayres’ own life, it is an epic tale of mothers and sons, mothers and daughters, unrequited love, betrayal and secrets.

This film has been shown at film festivals around the world and has won numerous wards including Best Original Screenplay and Best Director for Tony Ayres. Joan Chen also won the Best Actress award from the Torino International Film Festival, 2007 Inside Film Awards, 2007 Australian Film Institute Awards, and 2007 Golden Horse Awards. "The Home Song Stories" was the Australian entry for nomination consideration in the Foreign Language Film category of the Oscars.

If you are in the Los Angeles area, you can catch "Home Song Stories tonite. This is the Closing night film for Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2008 and the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival 2008.

Watch the Home Song Stories Trailer:

Always Be Boyz

B-boys and B-girls have been hot over the past few months. Jabbawockeez and Kaba Modern gaining high visibility on America's Best Dance Crew. Benson Lee's Planet B-Boy doc that follows breakdancers around the world. Korean Gambler crew signing up for Hype Nation. If you are in the Los Angeles area, Always Be Boyz is screening tonight at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

Here's a synopsis of Always Be Boyz:

Seven is the leader of a b-boy crew that is struggling to find corporate sponsorships. After many blow offs by the huge sports apparel company known as Make, the crew has a decision to make. Do they wear the required Make logos on their clothes for the biggest competition known as the "Battle of the Year"(owned by Make), or do they wear their own logos, relinquishing any chance of victory? The film's message is in the title.

Always Be Boyz is director John Kwon’s first cinematic endeavor in which he spent the last six years in Korea with a group of rag tag breakdancers. The movie was shot in Korea with real b-boys playing the main roles.

Watch the Always Be Boyz trailer:

Asian American Association Film Festival 2008

The Asian American Association (AAA) at the University of California at Davis proudly hosts its fifth annual film festival, to be held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights between May 6-16, 2008 in the 194 Chemistry Building on the UC Davis campus. The Asian American Association Film Festival’s (AAAFF) mission is to promote cultural awareness and to empower Asian Americans by presenting the issues and realities of the Asian American community otherwise ignored or stereotyped by mainstream media. Last year over 1,000 community members attended the festival. All events are FREE and open to the public.

Here's the current line up for 2008
Tues. May 6: Colma: the Musical
Thurs. May 8: Dark Matter
Fri. May 9: Journey from the Fall

Tues. May 13: New Year Baby
Thurs. May 15: Tie a Yellow Ribbon
Fri. May 16: American Pastime + Student Films

Watch the trailer for the Asian American Association Film Festival:


For the opening night film, see the trailer for Colma:The Musical

Kissing Cousins

Kissing Cousins has screened in San Francisco, Chicago, and now in Los Angeles. Here's synopsis of the movie:

AMIR, 29, is a heartbreaker. Literally. As a “relationship termination specialist, providing "dumping services" for disgruntled daters, Amir spends his days delivering bad news to unsuspecting lovers across Los Angeles and retrieving his clients' belongings (underwear, CDs, photos, etc). Though Amir claims he is "just the messenger," the job has made him hard-hearted and, as a result, he is the last bachelor in his group of friends. This becomes crystal clear on his 30th birthday, when his friend TUCKER tells Amir he can no longer be the Best Man at his upcoming wedding because he and his bride TINA want someone with better relationship karma.

When Amir returns to his family's Bay Area home for Thanksgiving, he is reunited with ZARA, his charming and beautiful cousin from Britain who he has not seen in twenty years. The two cousins do not get along right away as Zara is still upset that Amir kissed her during a "play wedding" when they were children. With the prompting of Amir's parents, Zara hitches a ride with Amir back to LA, only planning to stay a few days. Along the way, Amir tells her about his friends and their bachelorism and she is sympathetic. When she meets them, she surprises everyone, including Amir, by introducing herself as his "girlfriend." Before long the scam is in full swing as Amir and Zara go on "couples outings" with his friends. She even shows him how to be more sympathetic to his "breakup victims." Over time, Amir starts to soften from Zara's influence and perhaps even begins to develop... feelings?

An undercurrent of sexual tension develops between them as the charade comes dangerously close to going too far. Will his friends find out the truth? Will Amir fall for his own cousin?! Or will he become one of his own "victims?"

Find out in KISSING COUSINS!!

This movie was written and directed by Amyn Kaderali. Also check out Amyn's other short film "Call Center". Watch the trailer for Kissing Cousins:



Here's part 1 of Amyn Kaderali's interview with DesiYou:


Here's part 2 of Amyn Kaderali's interview with DesiYou:

Add "Kissing Cousins" as your friend on Myspace and become a fan on facebook

Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown

“Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown,” a feature documentary five years in the making, will debut at the Los Angeles Asian American Film Festival, the most prestigious festival of its kind in Southern California, on Saturday, May 3rd, at 4pm at the Director’s Guild on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

Set against the backdrop of glittering crowns, colorful dresses, and lively dance music in one of the oldest and biggest ethnic pageants in the United States, this documentary features the intimate stories of some unforgettable young women who vie for the title Miss Los Angeles Chinatown, while struggling to find themselves in two cultures with different values and expectations. The crown is a link to the past, while the women’s lives are a sign of the changing times.

A beautiful and poised teacher is the perfect candidate but a disappointment in her father’s eyes because her boyfriend is African American; a half White, half Chinese tomboy joins the pageant because she thinks it will make her more Chinese. Meanwhile, a Miss Chinatown imposter shows up around town - she wears a sash and gown, but sports a cigar, granny glasses, and tells bad jokes. Turns out she is really performance artist Kristina Wong, who grew up in the shadow of Miss Chinatown but found that she could never live up to this ideal image. If she couldn't beat them, she figured she’d join them.

Documentary cameras follow the lives of these three subjects for several years, at a pivotal time as they are just starting to find out who they are as women. As the drama of their lives unfold, so do frank conversations about romantic relationships, familial dynamics, body image, mental health, career, and identity. What emerges are some of the rarely heard voices of young Asian American women at the turn of the 21st century.

Watch the trailer for "Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown"


P.S. While you are in the Los Angeles area, check out the Pacific Islander Festival. the event celebrates the heritage, traditional culture, and the arts of the indigenous cultures of Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian communities of Los Angeles with authentic ongoing stage performances. The event will also features island villages with hands-on-demonstrations, traditional arts presentations, and ethnic food to enjoy.

WHEN: May 3 and 4, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m SITE: Harbor Regional Park, Wilmington – Harbor City

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2008

Continuing our Asian Pacific American Heritage Month coverage. Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival runs from May 1-8, 2008. If you are in the Los Angeles area, drop by and watch some films. Tonight's opening film is Ping Pong Playa.

Watch a clip trailer for the 24th annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival: