Planet B-Boy, Santa Mesa, Always Be Boyz, Amal win at SFIAAFF

26th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival Wraps.

The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (March 13 – 23, 2008), presented by the Center for Asian American Media, wrapped with an estimated attendance of 29,000, including over 225 filmmakers, actors and industry guests. 57 of 113 shows-more than half-sold out, creating an exciting buzz throughout the event. The program featured eight world premieres, three North American premieres and four U.S. premieres of feature length films.

Award Winners Announced

The winners of the jury awards were announced on March 20 before the Closing Night screening. The competition films represent the best in Asian American and Canadian cinema. The winner of the Best Narrative Feature Award in the Narrative Competition section was Amal, directed by Richie Mehta. The Special Jury Award was a tie between John Kwon’s Always Be Boyz and Ron Morales’ Santa Mesa. The jury was comprised of playwright/filmmaker Philip Kan Gotanda (Life Tastes Good), producer Gina Kwon (Me, You and Everyone We Know) and screenwriter Iris Yamashita (Letters From Iwo Jima).

The winner of the Best Documentary Feature Award in the Documentary Competition Section was Planet B-Boy, directed by Benson Lee. The Special Jury Award was given to Wings of Defeat, directed by Risa Morimoto. The jury was comprised of Kathryn Lo (Associate Director of Program Development and Independent Film at PBS), filmmaker Stanley Nelson (Jonestown: The Life and Death of the People’s Temple) and scholar/filmmaker Celine Parreñas Shimizu (Super Flip).

At the conclusion of the screenings in San Jose that ran March 21 – 23, the winners of the Comcast Audience Awards were announced. The winner of the Comcast Audience Award for Narrative Features was Om Shanti Om, directed by Farah Khan, while the winner for Documentary Features was Planet B-Boy, directed by Benson Lee.

Narrative Competition

Best Narrative Feature Award:
Amal, Dir. Richie Mehta

Special Jury Award (tie)
Always Be Boyz, Dir. John Kwon
Santa Mesa, Dir. Ron Morales

Documentary Competition

Best Documentary Feature Award
Planet B-Boy, Dir. Benson Lee

Special Jury Award
Wings of Defeat, Dir. Risa Morimoto

Comcast Audience Awards

Narrative Feature
Om Shanti Om, Dir. Farah Khan

Documentary Feature
Planet B-Boy, Dir. Benson Lee

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Just on a personal note: the festival has been an overwhelming and unforgettable experience. Again, my first year behind the scenes, but a longtime attendee. If you’re a longtime attendee of any film festival, I highly suggest applying for a position or even volunteering- it’s so rewarding. Super thanks to CAAM, our festival staff, volunteers, guests, and filmmakers! Shout out to Ron Morales and Johnny Kwon- when you two won the Special Juror competition, your reactions was so priceless. How’s that for a World Premiere! Good hanging out with ya’ll too.

And last… if you missed it at our festival, check out Planet B-Boy (2 awards!) at a theater near you! Thanks Benson Lee for also joining our annual Schools at the Festival program- the students loved it! Amal will be coming to theaters soon- this is one of my favorite films at the festival. Congrats Richie Mehta- thanks for joining us in San Jose too!

LeRoid

Pinoy Films and Filmmakers at SFIAAFF 2008

Hey everyone! It totally sucks not to update as often as I would like, but with my new position as the Marketing Coordinator for the 26th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival MARCH 13-23, 2008 (SFIAAFF), my days have been crazy busy.

As a longtime supporter for Filipino / Filipino American film, I am proud to share this list I made. Note: My sincere apologies if I missed anyone (we have over 120 entries).

This year, the SFIAAFF has an array of films by Filipino and Filipino American filmmakers- starting with two films from acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza (Foster Child, Slingshot), and a World Premiere from New York-based filmmaker Ron Morales (Santa Mesa). Bay Area filmmakers Paul Encinas (Glory Boy Days) and H.P. Mendoza (Colma: The Musical, Option 3) highlight the festival! Check out short films galore from Rey Corpuz (Beat of a Different Drum), Mark V. Reyes (God Only Knows) and celebrated Pinay filmmakers, Clarissa De Los Reyes (Giving Care) and Debbie Formoso (Nagpapangap)! Plus, the Music Video Asia 2008 program features new videos from Filipino music artists: Blue Scholars, Bambu, and more!

For ticket information: 415.865.1588 or boxoffice@asianamericanmedia.org

* SING-ALONG COLMA: THE MUSICAL 
MON 3/17 | 9:30PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Director: Richard Wong (2006) Richard Wong’s and H.P. Mendoza’s award-winning indie musical (Special Jury Award, SFIAAFF ’06) returns in a special sing-along presentation including a few new surprises. Three best pals sing and dance their way through a town where the dead outnumber the living one thousand to one. Co-Presented by Frameline.

* FOSTER CHILD
FRI 3/14 | 6:45PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco
SUN 3/16 | 12:00PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Director: Brillante Mendoza (2007) Foster Child shows how stability can thrive amid the littered dirt alleys and ramshackle buildings of Manila’s slums. But stability does not preclude heartbreak. The film, which lingers on the rituals of a foster mother and son during their final day together, is buoyed by Cherry Pie Picache’s gorgeous performance. Co-Presented by Manilatown Heritage Foundation and Asia Society Northern California.

* SLINGSHOT
SAT 3/15 | 7:00PM Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley
TUE 3/18 | 7:00pm Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Director: Brillante Mendoza (2007) Brillante Mendoza’s kinetic film thrusts viewers into a Manila slum full of junkies, thieves and their loved ones—the constantly fluid camera capturing their desperation with a documentary-like intensity. In this world, drugs rule, police carry automatic weapons and politicians carry an open purse. Co-Presented by Manilatown Heritage Foundation and Center for Southeast Asia Studies at UC Berkeley.

* SANTA MESA
SAT 3/15 | 7:00PM Clay | SANT15
SAT 3/22 | 4:45PM Camera | SANT22

Director: Ron Morales (2008) In this striking feature debut by Ron Morales, a young Filipino American must return “home” after the death of a loved one. Unable to speak Tagalog and culturally isolated, he must face the aftermath of his mother’s death alone, until he befriends an older photographer and takes an interest in a mysterious and beautiful woman. Sponsored by Walgreens. Co-Presented by Manilatown Heritage Foundation, Asian American Donor Program, and San Jose Public Library.

* GLORY BOY DAYS
SUN 3/16 | 8:00PM Landmark Clay Theater, San Francisco
SAT 3/22 | 9:15PM Camera 12 Cinemas, San Jose

Director: Paul Encinas (2008) A misfit crew of teens looks for answers—or at least distractions—in the South Bay in this coming-of-age portrait of disaffected suburban youth, mind-altering substances and love affairs. Fresh from Slamdance, Glory Boy Days redefines Asian American cool.

* OPTION 3
SUN 3/16 | 5:45PM Landmark Clay Theater, San Francisco
WED 3/19 | 9:45PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Director: Richard Wong (2008) The team of Colma: The Musical, Richard Wong and H.P. Mendoza, return with a very different kind of film: a dream-logic thriller about a man who searches for his girlfriend after receiving a phone call from a mysterious man. A dark and whimsical ride through the streets of San Francisco.

* BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUM
FRI 3/14 | 9:45PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco
SUN 3/16 | 9:00PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Director: Rey Corpuz (5 mins). Featured in “Asians in the Claws of Neon Lights” Short Film Program (Total Running Time 94 mins). A young Filipino American drummer auditions for the area’s “hottest band,” but anxiety builds when his aesthetics don’t exactly match the skinny, pale world of rock ‘n roll.

* GIVING CARE
SAT 3/15 | 9:30PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco
THURS 3/20/08 | 7:15PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Director: Clarissa De Los Reyes (11 mins). Featured in “Let’s Get Outta Here” Short Film Program    (TRT 105 mins). While taking care of an elderly man, a younf Filipina receives devastating news from home. Torn between her life in the U.S. and family in the Philippines, she realizes how difficult it is to leave her economic and social circumstances.

* NAGPAPANGGAP
FRI 3/14 | 4:30PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco
SUN 3/16 | 2:30PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Director: Debbie Formoso (20 mins). Featured in the “Morality Checks” Short Film Program (TRT 87 mins). Among a coterie of affluent women in the Philippines during the halcyon ‘60s, Lourdes believes she has one possession superior to all of her friends’ baubles: an honest husband. But when the fog of denial begins to lift, she must appraise the true value of her marriage, and decide whether to write it off or see what dividends it may yet pay.

* GOD ONLY KNOWS
FRI 3/14 | 4:30PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco
SUN 3/16 | 2:30PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Director: Mark V. Reyes (17 mins). Featured in the “Morality Checks” Short Film Program (TRT 87 mins). Living in the squalor of a vast Manila shantytown, Maria has only one blessing: her son. As she walks him out of the slum and on a journey that may secure his future, she must consider the sacrifice she must bear. Only God knows how high the cost truly is.

* MUSIC VIDEO ASIA 2008
WED 3/19 | 9:30PM Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Total Running Time 85 mins. The choicest cuts from the past year, a crazy, fun, outlandish mélange of the best music videos out there from your friendly neighborhood Asian and Asian American bands. New works from: Blue Scholars, Bambu, P.I.C. and many more!