1st Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

The 1st Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival will take place Thursday, October 9th to Sunday, October 12th. The Opening Night Film (Thursday, Oct. 9th 7-9pm) “Far North” starring Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Michelle Krusiec (Saving Face) & Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings) will premiere at the Bridge: Cinema de Lux (40th & Walnut St). A free reception will immediately follow for ticket holders at the Carriage House (3907 Spruce Street) on University of Pennsylvania campus, a short 2 block walk from the theater.

The Asian Arts Initiative (AAI) will be hosting all the remaining screenings and events from Friday, October 10th to Sunday, October 12th at their new building on 1219 Vine Street, just outside Chinatown.

Other Feature Films include:
Planet B-Boy (Centerpiece Film. Director scheduled to attend)
Kissing Cousins (Closing Night Film w/free party afterwards. Lead Actor scheduled to attend)
Half Life
Pretty To Think So
Santa Mesa
The Sensei
Shiro’s Head

Short Films include: 72 Hour Shootout Top Ten
Since You’ve Been Ong
along with many other shorts

Get your tickets to the 1st Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival here.

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Trailer


Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Supporters

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"

Transformers 2 - Chinese City

We posted a Transformers 2 casting call a few weeks back. The location of the shoot is in Bethlehem, PA near Philadelphia. The Chinese city for Transformers 2 is coming together nicely. Looks like this location may be for the first shoot. Michael Bay revealed in his blog that shotting begins on June 2.

This Bethlehem Steel site is being transformed into a Chinese City.


Chinese signs for Entry/Exit Point on the roof.


Chinese characters on the road read Cargo Loading Area


This blog also has additional details about the shoot.

- The east side of the site is being re-developed so most of the shooting will take place on the west side.
- A new concept car (possible Transformer?) not used in the first movie will be used there
- Two Blackhawk helicopters will be used
- The area will be patrolled by the site security and Bethlehem City Police who will also and close streets for the shoot.

Our initial guess was that this would be a location for Soundwave, who is supposed to be in Transformer 2. Potentially, Soundwave could do audio translation. The other guess would be a a Transformer with a trailer for cargo like Ultra Magnus. In any event, the location is an important scene for the movie.

Some fake Transformer 2 trailers have surfaced as well.




UPDATE:
A letter was sent out to residents in Bethlehem, PA. Shooting for Transformers 2 will take place at 511 E Third Street on June 2-4.

The work will include aerial work with both camera and military helicopters, large scale pyrotechnics, prop guns and squibs, and large lights. We are working with the city to close 3rd Street from Hayes to Polk and Polk Street from 3rd to 1st 7pm - 6am all three days. This will help us maintain a safety perimeter for our work. Local traffic and emergency lanes will be kept open at all times.

TRANSFORMERS 2 casting call

Heery Casting is looking for Asians to be in Transformers 2. This looks like a great opportunity for Asians near Bethlehem, PA. It is for a scene set in a fictional Chinese city.

We are looking for Asian talent for the new Dreamworks feature film, “Transformers 2”, directed by Michael Bay.

Needed are Asian men and women, boys and girls, ages 7-65, for a scene set in a fictional Chinese city. Shooting will take place in the Bethlehem PA area, in the beginning of June 2008.

No acting experience necessary; both SAG and non-union talent will be considered. All roles are paid positions.

In addition to “real” people, we are also looking for any Asian talent with a military background.

If interested and available, please e-mail a picture to: Tr2bethlehem@gmail.com Be sure to include all contact information, union status (if any) and state military experience, if any.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Check the site for details. Here's the trailer for the first Transformer movie:


Update:
Transformers 2 - Chinese City
Transformer 2 - Chinese City video