George C. Lin

Year after year, DC APA Film is fortunate to partner with many individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations. But undoubtedly the most important “partnership” we have is with the Lin family. For those who are just discovering our organization, George C. Lin was our first Executive Director and founder. In 2008, he passed away at the very young age of 37. We remember George for his passion and love for the arts as well as his dedication to our organization and to San Diego Asian Film Foundation.

Last year DC APA Film and the Lin family was proud to present the first-ever George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award to Tze Chun, the very talented writer and director of Children of Invention. This year we are both thrilled that the award will be presented again this year on October 13 at 7 p.m.

The Lin family continues to amaze us and touch us by their kindness and generosity. George’s brother Frank informed us that the family is donating $2500 to DC APA Film. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised because this is the type of thing that George always did – he would do whatever he can to help. We continue to see George’s kindness through the Lin family.

We are very touched by this donation. From the bottom of our heart, we want to say THANK YOU to the Lin family. We are so fortunate to be your friends.

For more information about George, please visit the George C. Lin Memorial Fund.

The George C. Lin Memorial Fund was established by the Lin family in October of 2008 in memory of George C. Lin (1971-2008). The fund provides charitable grants to students, educators and professionals in the non-profit media and arts industries. Additionally, the fund provides grants and other forms of support promoting 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. Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92106

Email the George C. Lin Memorial Fund if you wish to be updated on the fund’s activities: georgelinfund@gmail.com

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