Category Archives: filmfestival

2008 Taiwan Film Festival

The 2008 Taiwan Film Festival opens Thursday and Friday, October 16-17, at Fromm Hall on the beautiful campus of University of San Francisco! Fromm Hall is located just off of Parker Avenue, between Golden Gate Avenue and Fulton Street. Film Festival will continue to Stanford University, University of Washington, University of Oregon and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Here’s the tour schedule for the 2008 Taiwan Film Festival:

University of San Francisco

10/16 – 10/17

The 2008 Taiwan Film Festival will run at the University of San Francisco’s Fromm Hall October 16-17, 2008. Cheng Wen-Tang’s SUMMER’S TAIL will screen at 5:45pm on Thursday, October 16, and will be followed by a Q&A with the director and a special live musical performance by lead actress Enno Cheng. On Friday, October 17, the documentary THE GANGSTER’S GOD will be featured, with the director in attendance. TFF will also be showing films at Stanford University on Oct 17-18.

Stanford University

10/17 – 10/18

The 2008 Taiwan Film Festival will run at Stanford University (Cubberley Aud.) on Oct 17 & 18. Jay Chou’s directorial debut SECRETS will screen at 8pm on October 17. October 18th will features three films, including two documentaries: ELEPHANT BOY AND ROBOGIRL and FOR MORE SUN, as well as Lin Jing-Jie’s award winner feature THE MOST DISTANT COURSE. Filmmakers will be on hand for Q&A during Saturday’s films.

University of Washington

10/19 – 10/22

The Taiwan Film Festival (TFF) will showcase the best of the Republic of China’s contemporary films. With a focus on “Youth and Redemption,” the festival will return to the University of Washington (Seattle) from October 20-22. The festival begins Monday, October 20 with an opening reception and live musical performance from Enno Cheng. Besides starring in the first feature SUMMER’S TAIL, she is also a celebrated pop singer in Taiwan.

University of Oregon in Eugene

10/23 – 10/25

THE GANGSTER’S GOD begins this year’s Taiwan Film Festival with a live performance from Enno Cheng at the opening reception that follows. A celebrated pop singer, she also stars in SUMMER’S TAIL, the second film in the festival. The carefully selected lineup includes FOR MORE SUN, THE MOST DISTANT COURSE, ELEPHANT BOY AND ROBOGIRL, SECRET, THE LOST KINGDOM and SPIDER LILIES. Filmmakers will be present for Q&A at 4 of the 8 films.

University of Nevada Las Vegas

10/24 – 10/26

This 3 day festival begins with SECRETS and ELEPHANT BOY AND ROBOGIRL. Highlights includes a live performance by Enno Cheng, star of Cheng Wen-Tang’s SUMMER’S TAIL. A celebrated pop singer, she also stars in SUMMER’S TAIL, which starts off the three-day festival. The carefully selected line-up includes THE WALL PASSER, FOR MORE SUN, THE LOST KINGDOM, THE GANGSTER’S GOD AND THE MOST DISTANT COURSE. Filmmakers will be present for 4 of the 8 films.

Summer’s Tail Trailer

Asian American celebrities party in San Diego

The 9th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival will be presenting awards to its top films at a star-studded Gala Awards dinner on Saturday night, October 11 at the Town and Country Hotel Ballroom in Mission Valley. More than 700 people are expected to attend including actor John Cho (star of Harold & Kumar, and “Sulu” in the upcoming Star Trek prequel) who will present the lifetime achievement award to actor and humanitarian, Soon-Tek Oh, who has acted in American television and film since the 1960s.

A number of other celebrities are scheduled to attend including:

* John Cho, star of Harold & Kumar movies and Sulu in the upcoming Star Trek prequel

* Aaron Yoo, star of top grossing films, Nick and Nora, 21 and Disturbia

* Leonardo Nam, star of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1 &2, Perfect Score

* Smith Cho, star of NBC’s new show, Knight Rider

* Yul Kwon, winner from Survivor: Cook Islands

* Sheetal Sheth, lead actress from Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

* Marie Matiko, star of Sum of All Fears

* Karin Anna Cheung, lead actress of Better Luck Tomorrow

Opening night of the 2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival

2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival

9th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival

The San Diego Asian Film Festival is excited to announce its ninth season, taking place at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinema at Hazard Center, OCTOBER 9-16, 2008. As San Diego’s largest Pan Asian cultural event, more than 20,000 attendees will experience over 130 short and feature films from a record 17 countries including the Canada, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong , Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and the U.S.

Highlights include:

·Opening night film on Thursday, October 9 with the theatrical premiere of Academy Award Winning director Jessica Yu’s first narrative feature, PING PONG PLAYA, a hilarious comedy about a young man trying to fight for his family’s ping pong dynasty

·Closing night film on Thursday, October 16 – ALWAYS 2: SUNSET ON THIRD STREET, directed by Yamazaki Takashi, sequel to a heartwarming post-war Japanese film that swept Japan’s version of the Academy Awards.

·West Coast premieres of Korean thriller hit PUBLIC ENEMY RETURNS directed by Woo-Suk Kang: and one of the most sought-after martial arts froms from Thailand, CHOCOLATE, directed by Prachya Pinkaew, who also directed “Ong Bak”

·Controversial documentary, DIRTY HANDS: THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE directed by Harry Kim

·Free Films at Four series, we are offering free films to public at 4PM October 13-16

·Twelve short film programs including our popular all-animation program ANIMATION: THE ILLUSION OF LIFE and REEL VOICES, a free short documentary showcase by local high school students

Film festival organizers will also encourage attendees to register to vote through a REEL IN THE VOTE campaign to address why Asian Pacific Islanders have the lowest voter turnout and lowest political participation. Along with screening PSAs encouraging voter participation, the festival will present a free REEL IN THE VOTE films program on Tuesday, October 14 at the Hazard Center UltraStar.

Patrons can also attend three panels including one with the directors and stars of Harold & Kumar 2: Escape From Guantanamo Bay, plus a panel with local comic book artist Jim Lee, discussing the trend of converting comics into movies. More than 100 filmmakers and actors are scheduled to attend including John Cho (Harold and Kumar, and the upcoming Star Trek prequel), Aaron Yoo (Disturbia, 21, The Wackness), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), Smith Cho (Knight Rider, Ping Pong Playa), and James Kyson Lee (Heroes).

Buy 2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival Tickets here.

2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival Trailer

2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival

The 2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival will be held on October 9-12th, 2008 at the Alamo Drafthouse. We are proud to screen over 40 films (all premiers) from all around the globe! Aside from screenings, we have a fantastic Opening Night Party at Arthouse Museum, a rowdy multimedia concert at Club de Ville, and a captivating discussion panel at the University of Texas. This year, with China being a huge force in world news, they are focusing on Chinese and Chinese American cinema. With over a dozen special guest appearances and lively events planned every night, this
year!s festival is going to be the best yet.



2008 Festival Highlights:

– Opening Night Film: Hollywood Chinese (Texas Premiere)

Hollywood Chinese, currently in New York theatres, traces and examines the last 100 years of Hollywood from a Chinese American point of view. Featuring interviews with over 25 Asian American cinematic icons, this film delves into hidden and overt racism in Hollywood but also celebrates the filmmakers and actors who have helped shape the industry. Acclaimed filmmaker, Arthur Dong will be in attendance!



– Closing Night Film: Still Life (Texas Premiere)

Winner of the prestigious Silver Lion!s award, Still Life, with legendary Chinese filmmaker, Jia Zhangke, is a masterpiece based on the famous incident of the destruction of the three gorge dam. As two strangers look for their lost loves in a mall village haunted by memories and happiness, the village prepares to be once again flooded. They are incredibly proud to bring this amazing film to Austin.



– Tribute to Vincent Chin

October 10th, 5:30pm

On June 19th, 1982, Vincent Chin, mistaken for being Japanese, was brutally murdered by two white auto-workers (who blamed Asians for stealing their jobs). This defining moment opened the eyes of the Asian American community to the injustice of racist attitudes and the importance of standing up for equal rights. Two films will be screened exploring the Vincent Chin incident and why it is imperative to keep the story alive. They are excited to bring the two filmmakers to Austin: Academy Award nominated Christine Choy (Who Killed Vincent
Chin?) and Curtis Chin (Vincent Who?)!


Buy ticket to the 2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival here.

2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival Trailer

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

2008 DC APA Film Festival

APA Film Presents the 9th Annual DC Asian Pacific American (APA) Film Festival Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, 2008 at locations throughout the Washington, D.C., area including Landmark’s E Street Cinema, Navy Memorial Theater, Goethe-Institut, and Freer Gallery of Art. The festival will showcase 14 features and over 45 short films. A complete schedule of films and descriptions is available at http://www.apafilm.org.

The Opening Night Presentation on Sept. 25th is AMAL, a complex drama involving a family’s dispute over their father’s will and his connection to a humble auto-rickshaw driver in New Delhi, India. Director Richie Mehta and lead actor Rupinder Nagra are scheduled to attend.

On Sept. 27th, the festival presents a day of programs at the Freer Gallery of Art, including the documentary THE SIAMESE CONNECTION about Chang and Eng, the famous conjoined twins of the 19th Century from Thailand; and LONG STORY SHORT, profiling Larry and Trudie Long, a popular Chinese American husband-and-wife nightclub act of the ‘40s and ‘50s.

Several other documentaries will make their DC premieres. MAUI BOYZ follows ten local men from Maui as they live, work and play according the “Aloha Spirit” of Hawaii. Dr. Sharadkumar Dicksheet, a Nobel Prize nominee and wheelchair-bound doctor, is the tenacious star of FLYING ON ONE ENGINE (SXSW 2008), traveling to India every year to perform hundreds of free operations for children with facial deformities. A pair of documentaries investigate the human rights struggle of Korean comfort women who were forced into military sexual slavery during World War II (BEHIND FORGOTTEN EYES, THE HOUSE OF SHARING.).

A number of films feature ensemble casts of new and veteran Asian and American actors, including the romantic comedy KISSING COUSINS (starring Samrat Chakrabarti, Gerry Bednob (40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN), Jaleel White, and David Alan Grier); and Filipino drama SANTA MESA (starring Jaime Tirelli (BELLA, GIRLFIGHT), Melissa Leo, and introducing Jacob Shalov).

Two programs will be presented in partnership with the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Anne Kaneko’s AGAINST THE GRAIN explores the lives of working artists amidst political and economic unrest in Peru; and SITA SINGS THE BLUES is a modern retelling of the Ramayana through spirited animation and blues music.

The Closing Night Presentation is KILLING OF A CHINESE COOKIE, Derek Shimoda’s offbeat documentary that ponders the life and meaning of the fortune cookie in American pop culture.

DC APA Film Festival Trailer Contest Winner by Chihwen Lo. (see all the 2008 DC APA Film Trailer Contest Finalists)