Are you ready?!?! The 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout kicks off TODAY at 6pm Friday, June 26, 2009! The Theme will be announced at 8PM (EDT) at the New York City launch party at:

White Rabbit Lounge
145 East Houston Street
(Btwn Forsyth & Eldridge)
(F or V train to 2nd Ave)
New York NY 10002

and simultaneously posted online at
http://www.aafilmlab.org & http://www.72hourfilmshootout.com & http://twitter.com/aafilmlab

New York-based singer/songwriter Cynthia Lin will be performing live at the launch party.

Late registration continues for the 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout with online registration until June 26th!

This year is shaping up to be a great year with nearly 50 teams competing from around the country, so to keep the submissions coming!!!

Register at: http://www.72hourfilmshootout.com

6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout to be held June 26 - 29, 2009

The Asian American Film Lab (AAFilmLab), in association with Asian CineVision, is pleased to announce the Sixth Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout (“Shootout”) taking place this year from June 26-29, 2009. The Shootout is a nationwide competition where filmmaking teams have 72 hours to complete short films up to five minutes in length. Teams are given a common theme at the start of the competition to use creatively as they see fit. Teams compete for cash and prizes and the chance to have their films screened at film festivals.

This year’s Shootout finalists will be selected by a panel film industry professionals including cinematographer Ellen Kuras (Be Kind, Rewind, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), director Michael Kang (The Motel, West 32nd), Marci Phillips (Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment), producer Mynette Louie (Children of Invention), actor Justin Chon (Twilight), filmmaker Kazuhiro Soda (Campaign, Mental), and Tanuj Chopra (Punching at the Sun).

The Shootout intends to create opportunities for Asian Americans to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry, and to have an impact on the visibility of Asian American stories and characters in film and television. One of the Shootout requirements is that at least one key production member (e.g., director, producer, or writer) and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent. New for this year is a special judging category for student filmmakers. Teams that have at least half of their members submit active, valid Student IDs are eligible for the Student Film Award.

The 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout begins on Friday, June 26, 2008, at 8PM (EDT). The competition theme will be announced at the New York City launch party at 8PM at White Rabbit Lounge (145 East Houston Street) and simultaneously posted online at http://www.aafilmlab.org. New York-based singer/songwriter Cynthia Lin will be performing live at the launch party.

The Top Ten Films will screen at the Asian American International Film Festival organized by Asian CineVision (July 23-26, 2009). The screening and awards presentation will be held at the new Museum of Chinese in America located in New York’s Chinatown which will open its doors to the public this June. Awards will be given out in individual categories such as Best Actor/Actress, Cinematography, Editing, Originality and Audience Favorite.

In connection with the Shootout, AAFilmLab will be hosting several pre-launch events including workshops and mixers for anyone interested in competing as well as a post-screening wrap party.

The AAFilmLab thanks the Asian American Arts Alliance JP Morgan Chase SOAR program for their assistance this year with 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout.