Celebrating the Centennial of the Republic of China, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) has joined with APA Film to present two contemporary Taiwanese films, Cape No. 7 and The Fourth Portrait. They will be presented on October 13th at E Street Cinema as the centerpiece film of the APA Film Festival.

His dream of rock n’ roll fame in Taipei having collapsed, Aga (pop star Van) returns to his hometown Hengchun, a beautiful but quiet location on the southern coast of Taiwan. There he meets the beautiful Tomoko, who is trying to organize a group of local musicians to perform as the warm up act for real-life Japanese pop star Kousuke Atari (playing himself). A fun, quirky romantic comedy filled with lively musical performances and real-life pop stars (Van sang the theme song in My Sassy Girl), Cape No. 7 is a film sure to delight any audience.

The Fourth Portrait revolves around 10-year-old Xiang, who is alone after his father’s death with only an elderly school janitor to help him survive by finding and selling used objects. It is an atmospheric film with deliberate pacing and great cinematography, punctuated by light-hearted and side-splitting comedy. At times wistful and sad, the story of this spirited young boy is not easily forgotten.

Surrogate Valentine, the festival’s closing night film, is a romantic comedy that showcases the music of San Francisco indie musician Goh Nakamura. Goh is given the task of teaching TV star Danny how to play the guitar for an upcoming role, and he goes on tour with the musician to learn the trade. While on tour things get complicated as Goh’s high school crush shows up. Danny, grateful for Goh’s teaching, tries to repay the favor by playing wingman. “Natural and charming” are what many critics are saying about this film. Surrogate Valentine will screen on October 15, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Goethe-Institut.

The APA Film Festival is scheduled for 7 days from October 6 to October 15. In addition to our paid programs, APA Film will offer programs that are entirely FREE to the public at the Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Galleries. For information about our feature and short films, Opening and Closing Night reception and much more, please visit www.apafilm.org.

The mission of the D.C. APA Film Festival is to bring attention to the creative output from Asian Pacific American (APA) communities and encourage the artistic development of APA films in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Since 2000, D.C. Asian Pacific American Film, Inc. (APA Film) a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, has produced an annual film festival based in Washington, D.C. 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.

A reception will follow the screening at Asia Nine immediately after the Q&A of Au Revoir Taipei. Free for ticket holders; $10 for those without. Light food will be provided.

In his feature length debut, director and winner of DC APA’s 2007 Best Narrative Short award Arvin Chen returns to the vibrant streets of Taipei in this utterly charming film about old loves lost and new loves found.

A sheepish young man, Kai (Jack Yao), reluctantly bids adieu to his girlfriend Faye and dreams of reuniting with her in Paris. His daily routine consists of working at his parents’ modest noodle stand and soliciting the language section at a local bookstore to slyly learn French. Meanwhile, he remains aloof to the timid advances of the cute bookstore clerk, Susie (Amber Kuo).

But when local mob boss, Brother Bao (Frankie Kao) offers him the opportunity to fly to Paris in exchange for one seemingly simple favor, Kai unwittingly embarks on a turbulent night with Susie and best friend Gao as they attempt to evade a crew of incompetent gangsters and bungling cops in the bustling and glimmering city of Taipei. As his departure to Paris is jeopardized by these comical circumstances, will Kai find renewed motivation to stay in Taipei?

This whimsical romantic caper brims over with gorgeous cinematography and a fitting jazzy score that captures the seductive beauty and personality of Taiwan’s metropolis.

Au Revoir Taipei (executive produced by Wim Wenders) comes alive as the ultimate love letter to Taipei.
—Jenny Kim

Tickets are going fast, so don’t wait until the last minute!  Click here to get your tickets now!

The Mountain Thief

WASHINGTON, D.C. – D.C. APA Film continues to bring the finest films to the Washington D.C. area. We had another tremendous lineup this year and selecting the award winners has always been a difficult task due to the high number of quality films submitted to the film festival each year. We are proud to announce the D.C. APA Film 2010 Festival award winners, including the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award:

Best Narrative Feature: The Things We Carry, directed by Ian McCrudden

“This is wonderful news! Thank you so much for the recognition and the award,” said producer Athena Lobit. “We’re all very excited about this!”

The Things We Carry

The Things We Carry also won Best Feature and Best Screenplay awards at the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival and the Audience Award at San Francisco United Film Festival.

The Things We Carry is D.C. APA Film’s Closing Night Film and will screen twice on Saturday on
October 16 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Goethe-Institut. This highly personal debut feature film from the Lobit Sisters introduces thrill-seeking wanderer Emmie (Alyssa Lobit), her beleaguered but responsible sister Eve (Catherine Kresge), their drug-addict mother Sunny (Alexis Rhee), and a host of other colorful characters.

Click here to buy tickets for the 7 p.m. screening.

Click here to buy tickets for the 9 p.m. screening.

Best Documentary Feature: Resilience, directed by Tammy Chu

Resilience

Since the 1950s, an estimated 200,000 Korean children have been placed with families all around the world. Recently, a fraction of these children’s birthmothers have begun to speak out about their experiences of living without their children.

Resilience follows the story of one mother’s loss and search for redemption from a child she separated from decades before.

Resilience will screen on Saturday October 9th at 1 p.m. at the Freer & Sackler Galleries for FREE. A panel discussion on Korean adoption, birth search, and reunion will take place following the film at
4:45 p.m. in the Meyer Auditorium.

Click here for more information about the FREE tickets.

Best Narrative Short: Jitensha, directed by Dean Yamada

Jitensha

“Wow, thank you so much for this honor! I am humbled and so grateful that you like my film. I was happy to just be screening at your festival for the first time, but to win this award is amazing. Thank you very much,” said director Dean Yamada.

Jitensha (Bicycle) is a story about Mamoru Amagaya, a young man struggling to find meaning in life. Mamoru has lost his job. To make matters worse, he is slowly losing his bicycle. As he works to recover pieces of his bicycle, he finds the pieces of his life.

Jitensha will screen on Sunday October 10th at 2 p.m. at Goethe-Institut, part of the Shorts Program: No Day But Today

Click here to buy tickets for this screening.

Best Documentary Short: The Constitution Project: Yick Wo and the Equal Protection Clause, directed by Robe Imbriano

The Constitution Project: Yick Wo and the Equal Protection Clause

“Thank you so much for this. We are truly honored to win Best Documentary Short,” said Gregory Blanc.

The documentary is about a 19th century Chinese immigrant and a Constitutional clause — it is not often that one finds oneself in front of the Supreme Court. The decision helps forever change American law.

The Constitution Project: Yick Wo and the Equal Protection Clause will screen on Sunday October 10th at 2 p.m. at Goethe-Institut, part of the Shorts Program: No Day But Today

Click here to buy tickets for this screening.

The 2010 George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award Winner: Gerry Balasta, The Mountain Thief

The Mountain Thief

D.C. APA Film and The George C. Lin Memorial Fund have chosen Gerry Balasta, director of the narrative feature, The Mountain Thief, as the recipient of the 2010 George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award. In creating a fictional film starring the actual residents of a garbage collecting town in the Philippines, Balasta has brought attention to a long-neglected community. Through his compassion for his subjects, we come to realize their essential humanity.

“Thank you so much, it is an absolute, absolute honor to receive this award and will only help us in our social cause and in the true spirit of George Lin’s lifework,” said Balasta.

Balasta and his film reflect the spirit of adventure and inventiveness in filmmaking that George admired so much.

The George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award will be presented in person to Balasta at the screening Wednesday October 13th at 7 p.m. at Goethe Institut.

Click here to buy tickets for this screening.

About the Award

The George C. Lin Memorial Fund on behalf of The San Diego Foundation, Asian Pacific American Film of Washington, D.C., and The San Diego Asian Film Foundation established The George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award in 2009 to recognize young and talented filmmakers that have shown an exemplary commitment to filmmaking within the Asian and Asian American film genre.

The George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award is given on an annual basis by the co-sponsoring organizations at their respective film festivals in Washington, D.C. and San Diego, CA. Each recipient will be gifted a cash prize of $1,000. The award commemorates the life of George C. Lin, who died Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at the age of 37. From 2000 to 2003, George served as Founding Executive Director of the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Asian Pacific American Film. To this date the organization has held its 11th annual consecutive film festival in Washington, D.C., for Asian Pacific American and Asian Diaspora films.

Read more about the George C. Lin Memorial Fund by clicking here.

D.C. APA Film congratulates all our winners!

The Things We Carry

WASHINGTON, D.C. – D.C. Asian Pacific American Film, Inc. has been part of the D.C. community for almost 11 years now. This year, DC APA Film’s 11th Annual Film Festival will take place on October 7 to October 16, 2010 in locations throughout downtown D.C.

The critically acclaimed film Au Revoir Taipei – an award winner at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival this year – will make its D.C. premiere on Thursday, October 7. Au Revoir Taipei, executive produced by Palme d’Or winner and Oscar nominee Wim Wenders, will screen at Landmark’s E Street Cinema at 7:30 p.m. as the festival’s Opening Night film. DC APA Film is delighted to have TECRO – Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. – as its Opening Night sponsor.

“With 10 years of success, (DC APA Film) has become one of the most prominent film festivals of its type,” said Ambassador Jason C. Yuan of TECRO. “TECRO is very proud that Au Revoir Taipei was chosen to open the 11th DC APA (Film Festival).”

In his feature length debut, director and winner of DC APA Film’s 2007 “Best Narrative Short” award Arvin Chen returns to the vibrant streets of Taipei in this charming film about old loves and new loves found. A Q&A and reception will follow the screening.

The festival’s Centerpiece film is Fog written, directed and edited by Kit Hui. Set during the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s reunification with China, Fog tells the story of Wai, who suffers from a rare form of amnesia that wipes his memory entirely clean, as he attempts to restart his life and embarks upon a journey of self-discovery and redemption. Fog will screen at E Street Cinema on October 14 at 7:30 p.m.

The Closing Night film, The Things We Carry, is the debut feature film of Athena and Alyssa Lobit. On her travels, thrill-seeking wanderer Emmie receives a letter informing her that her junkie mother has passed away and left her a mysterious package. Emmie goes back home to face an estranged sister and all the troubles she left behind. The film will screen at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Goethe-Institut on Oct. 16. A reception will follow each screening.

DC APA Film’s 10 day film festival screens feature and short films, and will take place at venues such as the Smithsonian Institute’s Freer and Sackler Galleries, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Goethe-Institut and E Street Cinema. Throughout the festival there will be daily raffles where audience members can win t-shirts, subscriptions to Asian American magazines such as Hyphen and Giant Robot and much more. A panel on Korean adoption and screenings at the Freer are free of charge. For more information and to view the festival schedule, visit www.apafilm.org

D.C. Asian Pacific American (APA) Film is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, devoted to encouraging the artistic development of APA media artists and raising public awareness of APA media arts through an annual festival and other events in the Washington, D.C. area. It is the only Asian Pacific American film festival held in the D.C. region. In addition to the film festival, DC APA Film sponsors a summer-long P.O.V. (Point-of-View) Youth Filmmaker Workshop, which is a youth filmmaking training program designed to empower and provide a voice to local APA youth by teaching them the art of movie-making.

To apply for press accreditation, visit:
http://www.apafilm.org/2010/docs/APA Accreditation Form 2010.doc

Media contact: Sharon Kim, DC APA Film, 202-330-5496, Sharon@apafilm.org

For information about TECRO, visit: www.ROC-Taiwan.org/us

DC APA Film is delighted to have TECRO – Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. – as its Opening Night sponsor.

“With 10 years of success, (DC APA Film) has become one of the most prominent film festivals of its type,” said Ambassador Jason C. Yuan of TECRO. “TECRO is very proud that Au Revoir, Taipei was chosen to open the 11th DC APA (Film Festival).”

In his feature length debut, director and winner of DC APA Film’s 2007 “Best Narrative Short” award Arvin Chen returns to the vibrant streets of Taipei in this charming film about old loves and new loves found. “His success symbolizes the passing of the torch and the rise of a new wave of cinematic talents in Taiwan films,” said Ambassador Yuan.

This whimsical romantic caper brims over with gorgeous cinematography and a fitting jazzy score that captures the seductive beauty and personality of Taiwan’s metropolis. “We hope that the audience will get to know the city through the film and will eventually visit spots where this film was shot,” said Ambassador Yuan.

DC APA Film’s festival will take place from October 7-16, 2010 at venues such as the Smithsonian Institute’s Freer and Sackler Galleries, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Goethe-Institut and E Street Cinema. Throughout the festival there will be daily raffles where audience members can win t-shirts, subscriptions to Asian American magazines such as Hyphen and Giant Robot and much more. For more information and to view the festival schedule, visit www.apafilm.org

D.C. Asian Pacific American (APA) Film is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, devoted to encouraging the artistic development of APA media artists and raising public awareness of APA media arts through an annual festival and other events in the Washington, D.C. area. It is the only Asian Pacific American film festival held in the D.C. region. In addition to the film festival, DC APA Film sponsors a summer-long P.O.V. (Point-of-View) Youth Filmmaker Workshop, which is a youth filmmaking training program designed to empower and provide a voice to local APA youth by teaching them the art of movie-making.

To apply for press accreditation, visit:

http://www.apafilm.org/2010/docs/APA Accreditation Form 2010.doc

Media contact: Sharon Kim, DC APA Film, 202-330-5496, Sharon@apafilm.org

For information about TECRO, click here.

What did Allison think of 'Joint Security Area'?

Last year local film blogger Allison Lyzenga reviewed many of our films. We dig her because she watches a ton of movies and blogs about them on her movie site, My Film Habit. Allison watches all kinds of movies – mainstream, indie, obscure and the silly ones – and her reviews are dead on.

We emailed several months ago and I asked her if she’s reviewed any Asian flicks of late. She said she saw this one. And that one. And this one. And that one. And soooooo much more. This gal is a true film buff.

We are thrilled to have Allison back as DC APA Film’s official film critic.

Check out her cool film site, My Film Habit.

Washington DC — Asian Pacific American Film (APA Film) announces the 4th year of the P.O.V. Workshop, a youth filmmaking training program designed to empower and provide a voice to local Asian Pacific American youth by teaching them the art of movie-making. The P.O.V. Youth Filmmaker Workshop program consists of a series of workshops taking place over the course of six consecutive weekends, during which participants will learn the necessary skills and steps to create a short film from conception to completion.

Download Application:

Download Release Form:

Download the 2010 P.O.V. Workshop Flyer

]]> http://www.apafilm.org/press/2010-pov-workshop/feed/ 1 http://www.apafilm.org/press/chun-to-receive-lin-emerging-filmmaker-award/ http://www.apafilm.org/press/chun-to-receive-lin-emerging-filmmaker-award/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:56:54 +0000 Ron Sanchez http://www.apafilm.org/?p=1907

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In conjunction with the 10th anniversary of its festival, D.C. Asian Pacific American Film announced that filmmaker Tze Chun has been selected the award recipient of the first ever George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award in recognition of his feature length film, Children of Invention. The film is a timely narrative of economic and family hardship about two children forced to fend for themselves when their mother gets embroiled in a pyramid scheme and disappears. The award recognizes the director for his talent and exemplary commitment to filmmaking within the Asian and Asian American media & arts genre.

George C. Lin

“I’m touched and humbled to receive the 2009 George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award,” said Chun upon hearing the news. “I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing George when he was with us, but his memorial fund serves as a reminder to filmmakers that we are only one part of a community of Asian American artists, audiences, and those rare connectors like George, that are so important in bridging that gap.”

Chun will be officially recognized as recipient of this award on October 10th, 2009, at the D.C. debut of Children of Invention, and will be awarded a cash prize and an original bronze sculpture from the artist Chin Wen Chuang.

“Children of Invention captured our hearts and imagination, showing us a depth of character, a portrayal of responsibility, compassion, spirit and wit,” said Tad Doyle, Programming Director of APA Film. “Mr. Chun’s commitment to this film embodies the spirit in which The George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award is being given. It is envisioned by DC APA Film that the award be given to a young filmmaker whose work at the festival not only shows talent but also the independent voice that George so embraced.”

(Tze Chun)

Chun, 29, has already won numerous awards this year and recently was named one of the “25 New Faces of Independent Film” by Filmmaker Magazine.

Ten years ago, George Lin founded and served as Executive Director of Asian Pacific American Film, Inc. George made a lasting mark on the Asian and Asian American film community through his involvement with D.C. Asian Pacific American Film and thereafter the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, having served as program director and Associate Festival Director. Additionally, George was an active and important figure in the Asian and Asian American media & arts community and played a key role as a spokesperson for Asian and Asian American recognition across the spectrum of film, media, art and education. Unfortunately, in October of last year, coinciding with the run of both the D.C. and San Diego Asian film festivals, George passed away from a lifelong illness at the age of 37.

Children of Invention will screen on Oct. 10th at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Goethe Institut. A Q&A and reception follows both shows. The DC APA Film Festival takes place from October 1 through 10. Visit www.apafilm.org for more information.

About The George C. Lin Memorial Fund
The George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award is funded by public donations to the George C. Lin Memorial Fund. The objective of The George C. Lin Memorial Fund is to provide grants and support to students, educators and professionals in the media & arts industries on a non-profit basis. The fund also provides donations and working support towards pheochromocytoma cancer research, education and awareness. Charitable donations can be made to: The George C. Lin Memorial Fund, c/o The San Diego Foundation, 2508 Historic Decatur Rd. Ste. 200, San Diego, CA 92106

About Asian Pacific American Film, Inc.
Asian Pacific American (APA) Film is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, devoted to encouraging the artistic development of APA media artists and raising public awareness of APA media arts through an annual festival and other events in the Washington, D.C. area. Visit their website at www.apafilm.org.

Related: Our sponsor Angry Asian Man wrote about George Lin Day in San Diego.

Announcing the 2009 Festival Award Winners

]]> http://www.apafilm.org/press/chun-to-receive-lin-emerging-filmmaker-award/feed/ 0 http://www.apafilm.org/press/9500-liberty-to-open-10th-annual-dc-apa-film-festival/ http://www.apafilm.org/press/9500-liberty-to-open-10th-annual-dc-apa-film-festival/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:01:40 +0000 Anna http://www.apafilm.org/?p=360 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.

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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.

]]> http://www.apafilm.org/press/9500-liberty-to-open-10th-annual-dc-apa-film-festival/feed/ 0 http://www.apafilm.org/press/2009-pov-youth-filmmaker-workshop/ http://www.apafilm.org/press/2009-pov-youth-filmmaker-workshop/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:17:13 +0000 admin http://www.apafilm.org/?p=103
Washington DC — Asian Pacific American Film (APA Film) announces the 3rd year of the P.O.V. Workshop, a youth filmmaking training program designed to empower and provide a voice to local Asian Pacific American youth by teaching them the art of movie-making. The P.O.V. Youth Filmmaker Workshop program consists of a series of workshops taking place over the course of six consecutive weekends, during which participants will learn the necessary skills and steps to create a short film from conception to completion.

Download Application:		Download Release Form:
POV Application 2009 (Word)	POV Application 2009 (PDF)	POV Release Form 2009 (Word)	POV Release Form 2009 (PDF)

Download 2009 P.O.V. Workshop Flyer