DC Asian Pacific American Film, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  —  Asian Pacific American Film (APA Film) is proud to announce that 9500 LIBERTY will be the Opening Night Film for the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival beginning October 1st. The highly anticipated documentary, which examines the political and socio-economic impact of Prince William County’s notorious battle over immigration, kicks off an exciting program of films and events that celebrate the festival’s 10th anniversary by highlighting the role of Asian Pacific Americans in mainstream media, culture, and the political process.

“Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) have made incredible strides in the past 10 years,” said festival director Anna Petrillo. “We are more visible in entertainment, more influential at the polls, and more present in elected and appointed offices. All of these things are related, and as the APA film festival of the nation’s capital, it’s our mission to both recognize and facilitate this.”

Eric Byler

Annabel Park

9500 LIBERTY is based on the world’s first “interactive documentary,” which debuted on YouTube in October of 2007, inviting viewers to provide feedback and become part of the unfolding story, both online and in person. The popularity and impact of the channel (over 600,000 views to date) landed the filmmakers on local, national, and international press, leading to an invitation to testify before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The film is in part about their transformative journey documenting this bitter fight.

The film is directed by Asian American filmmakers, Annabel Park of Silver Spring, MD and Eric Byler of Gainesville, VA. Byler, whose critically acclaimed debut CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES was hailed by Roger Ebert as a “breakthrough for Asian American filmmakers,” returned to Northern Virginia from Los Angeles in 2006, just as ethnic tensions were mounting in Prince William County. The film, Mr. Byler’s first documentary, is his sixth film to be selected for the festival. In addition, this is the first time a documentary film about a local issue has opened the DC APA Film Festival.

“One profound lesson that we learned in Prince William County is recognizing the fragility of democracy,” Byler said. “We hope that our film will persuade people of all backgrounds, especially Asian Americans, of the importance of actively participating at all levels of government.”

Park, who immigrated from South Korea at the age of 9, believes that Asian Americans should step up to the plate and take on leadership roles in America’s ongoing debate about immigration. “Politically speaking, immigration has been cast as a Latino issue. This is unfortunate because the subject of immigration is an issue that affects all Americans. Asian Americans must not remain on the sidelines of a debate that will have such enormous significance on America’s future and identity.”

The festival runs from October 1 – October 10, 2009 in Washington, D.C., at the Smithsonian Institution‘s Freer/Sackler Galleries, the Burke Theatre of the U.S. Navy Memorial, and Landmark’s E Street Cinema. It will showcase 18 feature length films, over 40 short films, and special events including industry receptions and panels, educational workshops, and a retrospective sample of films from the past ten years of Asian Pacific American independent cinema.

Screenings are open to the public and five events will have free admission.  For more information go to: www.apafilm.org and www.9500Liberty.com.

For press screeners and media inquiries, contact Ron Sanchez at Ron@apafilm.org, or (202) 330-5496.

####

The 10th Annual Washington, D.C. Asian Pacific American Film Festival is presented by Asian Pacific American Film, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based registered nonprofit, tax-exempt charity under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is devoted to film and media arts made by and/or about Americans of Asian Pacific Islander descent and other Asian Diasporic groups from around the world.

(Photo from Freer and Sackler Gallery)

Come join us at the next “Asia After Dark” at the Freer Gallery on Thursday, September 3 at 6:30pm! We are honored to have been asked to curate the film program for the latest edition of Asia After Dark. The theme, East Meets West, is a unique program of shorts from some of the best APA filmmakers from our first ten years.

We will have additional retrospective programs during the 2009 Festival which runs October 1-10 at theaters throughout Washington, D.C. Click here for the list of films that will be screening continuously in the Meyer Auditorium during the event. Some films have not screened in Washington, D.C. since their premiere 10 years ago with us!

Showcasing Whistler’s Peacock Room, the latest “Asia After Dark” will include a text-message scavenger hunt hosted by The Pink Line Project, a specialty drink called The Golden Peacock, and delicious food from Bangkok Joe’s and Mie N Yu in Georgetown and Asia Nine in Chinatown.

Featured in the Freer Courtyard will be new wave dance by Boogie Bots, contestants from MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, and music from DJs Yellow Fever.

Get your tickets soon — “Asia After Dark” always sells out!

$18 (Advance)
$20 (Limited number available at the door; cash only)
Includes one free drink ticket

Click here for more information.

Click here to see the list of films.

An Asian western flick? A monster as cool as Godzilla? You betcha! You can see these films for free at the Freer Gallery in August. Here’s the schedule for their Asia Trash! lineup:

Thursday, August 6, 7 p.m. – The Host

Asian cinema, mainly Japan’s Toho Studios, has brought to the big screen a slew of legendary monsters such as Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah (Who? Remember that cool looking three-headed monster? Yeah, that one!) and the king of them all, Godzilla. The unnamed monster in The Host definitely could clobber any of those creatures. This film is unique because it’s a horror-comedy. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, The Host is the highest grossing Korean film ever.

Thursday, August 13, 7 p.m. – Tears of the Black Tiger

Wisit Sasanatieng is the brains behind this Thai western. The colorful scenery of Tears of the Black Tiger is reminiscent of Amelie. The violence evokes memories of Pulp Fiction. The film also pays homage to the western films of the 1960s. The story and acting is terrific. The cinematography and music are wonderful. What makes everything bizarre is that this film is an Asian western. Not sure what I like better: Watching this flick or eating at Thep Phanom, my fave Thai restaurant located in Lower Haight. Bottom line is that they’re both winners. Tears of the Black Tiger is one of the greatest films to come out of Thailand.

Thursday, August 20, 7 pm – Tokyo Gore Police

Gory. Perverse. Bizarre. The Freer Gallery couldn’t have written a better description of this film: “Employing geysers of blood, mountains of severed body parts, mutant go-go girls, and other delights, it takes place in a Tokyo of the near future in which a privatized police force wages hyper-violent war on a new breed of cyborg criminals who can transform their wounds into weapons.” I know what you’re thinking: I am so there!

How to get your free tickets

Free tickets are required for films in the 300 seat Meyer Auditorium, located in the Freer Gallery. Up to two tickets per person are distributed at the auditorium one hour before show time. More info, visit: http://www.asia.si.edu/events/ticketInfo.asp

Photos from Wikipedia.org

It has been a memorable summer for APA Film. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the all-volunteer run organization recently received a tax-exempt, non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service.

The 501(c)3 status is sure to open more doors for APA Film. The benefits of 501(c)3 status for APA Film include: increased eligibility for funds awarded through public and private grants, tax-deductible charitable contributions from donors, and certain tax-exempt transactions, in addition to a host of other administrative benefits and discounts.

“We are thrilled to have reached this milestone just in time for our upcoming festival and 10th anniversary,” said Secretary and board member Franco Salvoza, who started focusing efforts to apply for the tax benefit last fall.

“This endeavor has been a goal of this organization since its founding in 2000 by a small group of individuals, most notably George C. Lin, who passed last year,” said APA Film Board President Anna Petrillo. “It is in his memory that we will be dedicating and celebrating our 10th festival this fall.”

APA Film has been sponsored as a project by the New York-based, non-profit arts service organization Fractured Atlas. But with its new status, APA Film can now pursue resources more directly.

To donate to APA Film, please go to: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/contribute/donate/523