Time’s Up

Are you ready?!?! The 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout kicks off TODAY at 6pm Friday, June 26, 2009! The Theme will be announced at 8PM (EDT) at the New York City launch party at:

White Rabbit Lounge
145 East Houston Street
(Btwn Forsyth & Eldridge)
(F or V train to 2nd Ave)
New York NY 10002

and simultaneously posted online at
http://www.aafilmlab.org & http://www.72hourfilmshootout.com & http://twitter.com/aafilmlab

New York-based singer/songwriter Cynthia Lin will be performing live at the launch party.

Late registration continues for the 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout with online registration until June 26th!

This year is shaping up to be a great year with nearly 50 teams competing from around the country, so to keep the submissions coming!!!

Register at: http://www.72hourfilmshootout.com

6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout to be held June 26 - 29, 2009

The Asian American Film Lab (AAFilmLab), in association with Asian CineVision, is pleased to announce the Sixth Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout (“Shootout”) taking place this year from June 26-29, 2009. The Shootout is a nationwide competition where filmmaking teams have 72 hours to complete short films up to five minutes in length. Teams are given a common theme at the start of the competition to use creatively as they see fit. Teams compete for cash and prizes and the chance to have their films screened at film festivals.

This year’s Shootout finalists will be selected by a panel film industry professionals including cinematographer Ellen Kuras (Be Kind, Rewind, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), director Michael Kang (The Motel, West 32nd), Marci Phillips (Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment), producer Mynette Louie (Children of Invention), actor Justin Chon (Twilight), filmmaker Kazuhiro Soda (Campaign, Mental), and Tanuj Chopra (Punching at the Sun).

The Shootout intends to create opportunities for Asian Americans to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry, and to have an impact on 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. New for this year is a special judging category for student filmmakers. Teams that have at least half of their members submit active, valid Student IDs are eligible for the Student Film Award.

The 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout begins on Friday, June 26, 2008, at 8PM (EDT). The competition theme will be announced at the New York City launch party at 8PM at White Rabbit Lounge (145 East Houston Street) and simultaneously posted online at http://www.aafilmlab.org. New York-based singer/songwriter Cynthia Lin will be performing live at the launch party.

The Top Ten Films will screen at the Asian American International Film Festival organized by Asian CineVision (July 23-26, 2009). The screening and awards presentation will be held at the new Museum of Chinese in America located in New York’s Chinatown which will open its doors to the public this June. Awards will be given out in individual categories such as Best Actor/Actress, Cinematography, Editing, Originality and Audience Favorite.

In connection with the Shootout, AAFilmLab will be hosting several pre-launch events including workshops and mixers for anyone interested in competing as well as a post-screening wrap party.

The AAFilmLab thanks the Asian American Arts Alliance JP Morgan Chase SOAR program for their assistance this year with 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout.

Registration is now open for the 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout with new online registration this year!
AAFilmLab members get an additional $20 discount off the Regular Shootout entry fees. Just sign up to be a member first. (See the right hand column—>).

This year is shaping up to be a great year, so to keep the submissions coming, we are making a special announcement!

Register before June 19th for the Regular Registration fee of only $45.

That’s right folks, thanks to the Asian Arts Alliance JP Morgan SOAR grant, we’re keeping the Regular Registration fee at Early Bird prices.
We would like to get as many filmmakers involved as we can.

Step 1. Pay your registration fee via Google Checkout

 

Step 2. Register your team online here

Step 3. Download the Submission Documents which must be filled out and sent in with your entry.

Or download the PDF registration packet to print out and mail in!

Also new this year will be acceptance of submissions by miniDV or Quicktime MOV file on data DVD! Full details are in the PDF registration packet.

The Asian American Film Lab is extremely proud to introduce our new President, Hai Ninh. We are incredibly excited and profoundly lucky to have someone who is not only an actor but also someone who brings passionate volunteerism to the table. Hai Ninh, as some of you may know, worked as a bona-fide field organizer for the current President of the United States, Barack Obama. We look forward to experiencing the kind of determination that led him to volunteer his time for President Obama in our own backyard.

Please join us in thanking David Hou for the work he has put in previously as the President of the Asian American Film Lab and welcoming Hai Ninh! Hai can be contacted at: hai [at] aafilmlab.org

THE NEW TWENTY, writer-director Chris Mason Johnson's award-winning first feature (Best Lead Actress, Nicole Bilderback, Outfest; Best Director, First Feature, Ft. Lauderdale) charts the lives of five New Yorkers, a mix of gay and straight best friends about to turn thirty. With emotionally vivid performances and nuanced characters, THE NEW TWENTY paints the portrait of a generation living the highs and lows of a Wall Street world destined to disappear overnight. The year is 2006 and prosperity seems unending: two of the five are investment bankers, another works in advertising, another does freelance database design, and only one of the five might be called a slacker. But they all suffer from, as loner Felix puts it, "a touch of existential malaise courtesy of late capitalism. You know, the usual." So if money isn’t the root of their discontent, what is? Whatever they’re searching for - love, meaning in work - they’re not going to find it in each other. On TV, friendships last forever. In real life, not so much. Starring Bill Sage (Mysterious Skin), Terry Serpico (Michael Clayton), Nicole Bilderback (Bring It On), Colin Fickes (Roger Dodger), Ryan Locke (American Gun), Thomas Sadoski (now on Broadway in Reasons To Be Pretty), Karen Olivo (now on Broadway as “Anita” in West Side Story), and Andrew Wei Lin. (92 min.)

TICKETS: Advance tickets available NOW at Movietickets http://tinyurl.com/buythenewtwentytix
Dir. IN PERSON Fri/Sat/Wed Mar 20/21/25, 8PM show; Sun Mar 22, 1:30PM show.
Actress Nicole Bilderback (Bring It On) IN PERSON Fri/Sat 8PM.

GROUPS: Groups of 10 or more qualify for discounted rates. Call 212.255.8800

The AAFilmLab has one comp ticket available for the first person who contacts (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) about the screening.

FOCUS will sponsor a free screening of another up and coming independent film, “Trouble with Romance” on Friday February 27th at 6pm in the Lifetime Screening Room (Dodge Hall, Room 511). The film was written and directed by Gene Rhee. Please RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

FOCUS (Filmmakers of Color United in Spirit) is a multicultural organization dedicated to increasing the visibility of filmmakers and film scholars of color within Columbia University and the surrounding community through outreach initiatives, recognition of diversity in education and networking with alumni and the film industry at large.

View the Trailer Here:

http://www.myspace.com/thetroublewithromance

* What: 9th annual Slant: Bold Asian American Images
* When: May 30 – 31, 2009
* Where: The Aurora Picture Show, Houston, TX
* Deadline: Postmark by February 23, 2009

SLANT, an annual film festival of short films, seeks works by Asian American filmmakers. For the ninth year, Slant will showcase an eclectic mix of the best in emerging Asian American cinema. All genres are accepted.

--- details, details, details ---

Program Content: All genres, including narrative, experimental, film art/video art, documentary and animation.
Eligibility: Filmmakers or film content should be Asian American or Asian Canadian.
Running Time: Each work should run 30 minutes or less.
Formats: Selected works may be presented on DVD, Mini DV or Quicktime. Please note we do not have Beta.
Formats for submission: DVD, or provide a link to the work online

Send To:
Aurora Picture Show - Slant
1524 Sul Ross
Houston, TX 77006

Postmark Deadline: February 23, 2009. Please include a SASE if you want your submission returned.

Entry Fee: $10 for up to three shorts. Send a check or money order made payable to Aurora Picture Show. DO NOT send cash. You can also make a payment through PayPal by using the PayPal button at the bottom of this webpage. Please include a printout of your Paypal payment in your submission.

Payment to Filmmakers: Makers are paid $4/minute of film/video with a $40 minimum. Aurora also pays return shipping on films included in screening and insurance on tapes and films. We pay distributors their published rate for rentals, but are happy to receive discounts as we are a nonprofit organization

Include:
* Your name
* Contact info (including address, phone numbers, and email)
* Year the work was made
* Original format of the work
* Total running time
* A brief filmmaker bio
* A two-line description of your film

This list is not optional. Please include all information requested.

Contact:
Curator Melissa Hung: slantfestival (at) gmail (dot) com
Aurora Picture Show: 713.868.2101

The AAFilmLab is proud to announce that we are partnering with MOCA and APEX on a 3-month filmmaking mentorship program for Asian American High School students. APEX, a nonprofit in New York City dedicated to providing mentoring and educational services to Asian American youths, will provide a mentor and a student to work with a filmmaker from the AAFilmLab. The AAFimLab and APEX mentors will guide the student through the process of creating a 3-7 minute short film from inception of story to final cut. The final product will be displayed at the Museum of Chinese in America and will also be broadcast on the MOCA YouTube Channel.

The Chinatown Youth Mentorship Program had its first meeting on January 29, 2009 and will continue until May 2009, when the final short films will be presented for inclusion into the Museum of Chinese in America's opening ceremony. Peter Chin and Matte Chi from the AAFilmLab are the volunteer filmmakers who will be participating in the program. We thank MOCA's Karin Chien and APEX's Amanda Ing for the opportunity to work with these bright young students.

MOCA - http://www.mocanyc.org/
APEX - http://www.apex-ny.org

The AAFilmLab is proud to announce that our member, Amy Chang, is appearing in “Children of Invention,” a feature film written and directed by Tze Chun, which will premiere in the Spectrum section of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

In “Children of Invention,” two young children living illegally in a model apartment outside Boston are left to fend for themselves when their hardworking mother disappears.  The film is Chun’s debut feature and is loosely based on his own Sundance ‘07 short “Windowbreaker,” which earned him a spot on Filmmaker Magazine’s annual “25 New Faces of Independent Film” list.

The film stars Cindy Cheung (“Lady in the Water,” “Robot Stories”) and the amazing newcomers Michael Chen (age 10) and Crystal Chiu (age 8). It was produced by Mynette Louie, who co-produced “Mutual Appreciation;” shot by Chris Teague, who lensed Sundance shorts “Man,” “The Second Line,” and “Salt Kiss;” edited by Anna Boden, who co-wrote, produced, and edited “Half Nelson” and co-wrote/directed, produced, and edited “Sugar;” co-produced by Dave Saltzman, who production supervised “Sugar” and production managed “Momma’s Man;” scored by T. Griffin, who scored Berlin Teddy Award winner “A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams & the Warhol Factory” and was a 2008 fellow of the Sundance Composer’s Lab; and cast by veteran NYC casting director Susan Shopmaker (“Afterschool,” “Great World of Sound,” “Shortbus”).

“Children of Invention” was financed by Sasquatch Films and Impact Partners.  It is the first narrative film to be financed by Impact Partners, which has funded socially conscious documentaries such as Oscar winners “Born Into Brothels” and “Freeheld,” and Emmy winner “Ghosts of Abu Ghraib.”

Screening times at Sundance are:
• Sun. Jan 18, 2:30 PM - Prospector Square Theatre
• Tue. Jan 20, 6:00 PM - Temple Theatre, Park City
• Wed. Jan 21, 6:00 PM - Sundance Screening Room, Sundance Resort
• Sat. Jan 24, 11:30 PM - Library Center Theatre

Press & Industry Screening:
• Tue. Jan 20, 9:00 AM - Holiday Village I

For more information, please visit http://www.childrenofinvention.com or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33164328971

WINGS OF DEFEAT a film by Risa Morimoto and Linda Hoaglund

WINNER, Best Documentary, Women Film Critics Circle 2008
NOMINATED, Progie Award for Best Overlooked FIlm 2008, James Egee Cinema Circle

“Wings of Defeat is a remarkably fascinating documentary…”
–Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard Univ.
 
“Wings of Defeat is an extraordinary film, revealing the terrible power of nationalist fervor as it seizes young minds, and makes them both victims and accomplices in the crime of modern warfare.” 
–Howard Zinn, Author, A People’s History of the United States
 
“Today, the kamikaze campaign remains surrounded by misconceptions—something this powerful film will change…”
–Richard Muller, WWII Magazine

In Japan, WWII Kamikaze are still revered as self-sacrificing heroes. Internationally, they remain a potent symbol of fanaticism. Until now, few outsiders knew that many Kamikaze survived their suicide missions. The candid, heartbreaking testimony of surviving Kamikaze conveys the true depth of war’s travesty. Sixty years later, these humble men tell us about the horrors of the cockpit, their dramatic survival and the survivors’ guilt still haunting them.

DVD now available -  SALE EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 31st
http://www.edgewoodpictures.com/wingsofdefeat/another_journey.html

Pretty To Think So will be screening again in NYC on Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 as part of the "New Filmmakers New Years Festival" at the Anthology Film Archives. Showtime is 9:00pm.

Tickets for the entire evening of films is only $5.00!

Please go out and celebrate the New Year with AAFilmLab friends, Francis Hsueh & Steven Hahn.

Visit the festival website (http://www.newfilmmakers.com) for tickets and other helpful information.

And just in case you still haven't seen it, view the film trailer:
http://www.prettytothinkso.com/trailer.html

“Gran Torino” is the upcoming film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood and a group of talented Hmong Asian American actors. “Gran Torino” will be the first film since “Million Dollar Baby” where Mr. Eastwood will star in and direct. Clint Eastwood portrays a Korean War Veteran who is forced by his Hmong Asian American neighbor to confront his racial prejudices after his teenager neighbor, Tao Vang Lor, attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino. The Hmong actors used improvised Hmong and English dialogue to create an authentic film to help convey the Hmong culture. A lively debate has already begun within the Hmong community regarding the accurate portrayal of the Hmong culture in the movie. Actor and friend of the AAFilmLab, Doua Moua plays Fong/ Spider, Tao Vang Lor’s older cousin and the antagonist role in the film. “Gran Torino” opened on Friday Dec. 12th.

The trailer for AAFilmLab Member Eddie LeBron’s fan fiction feature film MEGAMAN has exploded across the internet. Within 48 hours Eddie’s own website came crashing down from overloaded traffic, Ningin.com recorded 40,000 views the first 48 hours, and YouTube rankings are below! Kudos to Eddie and best of luck in the final legs of post production.

MEGAMAN also features the acting skills of AAFilmLab Members Carl Li, Jeanie Tse, and Wayne Chang. David Hou assisted in production.

Watch the film here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueUDWs4JJOo
In High-Def:
http://ningin.com/mediastream/item:show/2008/11/21/megaman-movie-official-trailer/

For more information on Eddie and Megaman:
http://www.eddielebron.com
http://www.megamanfilm.com

YouTube rankings for MEGAMAN TRAILER 11/23/08
#56 - Most Discussed (Today) - Film & Animation
#74 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Australia
#34 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Canada
#19 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - New Zealand
#98 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Mexico
#10 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Brazil
#54 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Sweden
#25 - Top Favorited (Today) - Film & Animation
#67 - Top Rated (Today) - Film & Animation

The Asian American Film Lab has received a grant from the Asian American Arts Alliance to produce The Sixth Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout, a competition for filmmaking teams nationwide to write, shoot, edit and produce short digital films

The Asian American Arts Alliance awarded grants to eleven New York City arts groups through the JP Morgan Chase Small Arts Organizations Regrant (SOAR) Program. Selected by an independent panel of community leaders, the grants support music, theater, literature, film, dance and interdisciplinary projects from groups who identify as Asian American, or who are working in collaboration with Asian American artists and on Asian American themes. “We are thrilled with the broad range of strong community-based projects we are able to support with this program” said Nico Daswani, the new Program Director of the Alliance.

The program is part of the Alliance’s mission to bring increased financial and other resources to Asian American artists and arts groups in New York City. The Alliance has been providing re-grants to artists and groups since 1994, and has worked in partnership with JP Morgan Chase Foundation since 1997 on this program to support small organizations in this community.

This Tuesday, 72 Hour Film Shootout Judge and editor extraordinaire Jean Tsien will conduct an editing workshop with the AAFilmLab. Jean’s editing credits include the 2001 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature, SCOTTSBORO: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. Her recent editing credits include DIXIE CHICKS: SHUT UP AND SING, and the critically acclaimed, 2007 Silverdocs Sterling award winner, PLEASE VOTE FOR ME. She won a Golden Reel for CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and she has been serving as the Programming Chair for Center for Asian American Media.

This is a free event for AAFilmLab Members and $5 for Non-Members.
RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with subject line:
EDITING WORKSHOP
Tues, Sept 30, 7:30pm
19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY