The 2012 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival will run from Wednesday, November 7, 2012 to Saturday, November 17, 2012 (with a break from Mon, Nov 12th to Thurs, Nov 15th) at the Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia) and the Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia). Things get started on launch night with the film No Look Pass, the coming-of-age, American Dream story of Emily ‘Etay’ Tay. The opening night film this year is Shanghai Calling, a romantic comedy about modern-day American immigrants in an unfamiliar land, which stars Daniel Henney and Bill Paxton. The centerpiece film is White Frog, a universal story of the power of family, friendship, and love. The closing night film is Pearls of the Far East, which follows the inner lives and forbidden loves of seven Vietnamese women. Other films of interest include Sunset Stories, I Am a Ghost, Uploaded: The Asian American Movement, and Yes, We’re Open. Also be sure to check out short films like The Potstickers and The Division. You can get tickets here.

2012 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

The 2011 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) will run from Wednesday, November 2, 2011 to Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut Street), the Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street) and the Prince Music Theater (1412 Chestnut Street). Here’s the lineup for readers in Philly (there’s a lot of FREE events):

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011
7pm – Among B-boys

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011
7PM – Wedding Palace (Opening Night Film)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011
7PM – Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe
9:15PM – Saigon Electric

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011
2PM – Shorts Program 1 (FREE SCREENING!)
5PM – Suite Suite Chinatown (FREE EVENT!)
7PM – Bang Bang
9:30PM – The Girl from the Naked Eye (Centerpiece Film)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011
1PM – Shorts Program 2 (FREE SCREENING!)
3:30PM – One Kine Day
6PM – Almost Perfect (Closing Night Film)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011
6:30PM – I Am

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2011
7PM – Enforcing the Silence (FREE SCREENING)

We’ve seen many of these films. You can’t really go wrong with any of these.

2011 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

The 2010 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) will run from October 21-24, 2010 at the Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut Street), the Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street), and the Comcast Center (1701 JFK Blvd). Here’s some of the highlights:

Opening Night Film – Colin Hearts Kay (buy tickets)
Centerpiece Film – Raspberry Magic
Closing Night Film – The People I’ve Slept With (buy tickets)

Other films of note include Wo Ai Ni Mommy (buy tickets) and SF Stories (buy tickets). Check out their website here for FREE screenings and other events. Free special events this year supplement traditional film screenings, including free parties on Opening and Closing Nights. On Thursday, October 21st at International House, prior to the Opening Night Film “Colin Hearts Kay” there is a free special event titled “Perspectives On Asian American Identity”, which includes a screening of the HBO special, “East of Main Street: Asians Aloud” followed by a discussion panel moderated by Nydia Han (6 ABC). At 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 23rd, there will be a free live Q&A titled “A Conversation With Greg Pak”, an award-winning director and Marvel Comics writer, moderated by Loraine Ballard Morrill (Clear Channel Radio Philadelphia) at the International House. Mr. Pak will be receiving the PAAFF ‘10 Emerging Voice Award. Signed door prizes and refreshments will be available.

2010 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Trailer