The AAFilmLab is proud to announce that we are partnering with MOCA and APEX on a 3-month filmmaking mentorship program for Asian American High School students. APEX, a nonprofit in New York City dedicated to providing mentoring and educational services to Asian American youths, will provide a mentor and a student to work with a filmmaker from the AAFilmLab. The AAFimLab and APEX mentors will guide the student through the process of creating a 3-7 minute short film from inception of story to final cut. The final product will be displayed at the Museum of Chinese in America and will also be broadcast on the MOCA YouTube Channel.

The Chinatown Youth Mentorship Program had its first meeting on January 29, 2009 and will continue until May 2009, when the final short films will be presented for inclusion into the Museum of Chinese in America's opening ceremony. Peter Chin and Matte Chi from the AAFilmLab are the volunteer filmmakers who will be participating in the program. We thank MOCA's Karin Chien and APEX's Amanda Ing for the opportunity to work with these bright young students.

MOCA - http://www.mocanyc.org/
APEX - http://www.apex-ny.org

The AAFilmLab is proud to announce that our member, Amy Chang, is appearing in “Children of Invention,” a feature film written and directed by Tze Chun, which will premiere in the Spectrum section of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

In “Children of Invention,” two young children living illegally in a model apartment outside Boston are left to fend for themselves when their hardworking mother disappears.  The film is Chun’s debut feature and is loosely based on his own Sundance ‘07 short “Windowbreaker,” which earned him a spot on Filmmaker Magazine’s annual “25 New Faces of Independent Film” list.

The film stars Cindy Cheung (“Lady in the Water,” “Robot Stories”) and the amazing newcomers Michael Chen (age 10) and Crystal Chiu (age 8). It was produced by Mynette Louie, who co-produced “Mutual Appreciation;” shot by Chris Teague, who lensed Sundance shorts “Man,” “The Second Line,” and “Salt Kiss;” edited by Anna Boden, who co-wrote, produced, and edited “Half Nelson” and co-wrote/directed, produced, and edited “Sugar;” co-produced by Dave Saltzman, who production supervised “Sugar” and production managed “Momma’s Man;” scored by T. Griffin, who scored Berlin Teddy Award winner “A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams & the Warhol Factory” and was a 2008 fellow of the Sundance Composer’s Lab; and cast by veteran NYC casting director Susan Shopmaker (“Afterschool,” “Great World of Sound,” “Shortbus”).

“Children of Invention” was financed by Sasquatch Films and Impact Partners.  It is the first narrative film to be financed by Impact Partners, which has funded socially conscious documentaries such as Oscar winners “Born Into Brothels” and “Freeheld,” and Emmy winner “Ghosts of Abu Ghraib.”

Screening times at Sundance are:
• Sun. Jan 18, 2:30 PM - Prospector Square Theatre
• Tue. Jan 20, 6:00 PM - Temple Theatre, Park City
• Wed. Jan 21, 6:00 PM - Sundance Screening Room, Sundance Resort
• Sat. Jan 24, 11:30 PM - Library Center Theatre

Press & Industry Screening:
• Tue. Jan 20, 9:00 AM - Holiday Village I

For more information, please visit http://www.childrenofinvention.com or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33164328971

WINGS OF DEFEAT a film by Risa Morimoto and Linda Hoaglund

WINNER, Best Documentary, Women Film Critics Circle 2008
NOMINATED, Progie Award for Best Overlooked FIlm 2008, James Egee Cinema Circle

“Wings of Defeat is a remarkably fascinating documentary…”
–Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard Univ.
 
“Wings of Defeat is an extraordinary film, revealing the terrible power of nationalist fervor as it seizes young minds, and makes them both victims and accomplices in the crime of modern warfare.” 
–Howard Zinn, Author, A People’s History of the United States
 
“Today, the kamikaze campaign remains surrounded by misconceptions—something this powerful film will change…”
–Richard Muller, WWII Magazine

In Japan, WWII Kamikaze are still revered as self-sacrificing heroes. Internationally, they remain a potent symbol of fanaticism. Until now, few outsiders knew that many Kamikaze survived their suicide missions. The candid, heartbreaking testimony of surviving Kamikaze conveys the true depth of war’s travesty. Sixty years later, these humble men tell us about the horrors of the cockpit, their dramatic survival and the survivors’ guilt still haunting them.

DVD now available -  SALE EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 31st
http://www.edgewoodpictures.com/wingsofdefeat/another_journey.html

Pretty To Think So will be screening again in NYC on Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 as part of the "New Filmmakers New Years Festival" at the Anthology Film Archives. Showtime is 9:00pm.

Tickets for the entire evening of films is only $5.00!

Please go out and celebrate the New Year with AAFilmLab friends, Francis Hsueh & Steven Hahn.

Visit the festival website (http://www.newfilmmakers.com) for tickets and other helpful information.

And just in case you still haven't seen it, view the film trailer:
http://www.prettytothinkso.com/trailer.html

“Gran Torino” is the upcoming film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood and a group of talented Hmong Asian American actors. “Gran Torino” will be the first film since “Million Dollar Baby” where Mr. Eastwood will star in and direct. Clint Eastwood portrays a Korean War Veteran who is forced by his Hmong Asian American neighbor to confront his racial prejudices after his teenager neighbor, Tao Vang Lor, attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino. The Hmong actors used improvised Hmong and English dialogue to create an authentic film to help convey the Hmong culture. A lively debate has already begun within the Hmong community regarding the accurate portrayal of the Hmong culture in the movie. Actor and friend of the AAFilmLab, Doua Moua plays Fong/ Spider, Tao Vang Lor’s older cousin and the antagonist role in the film. “Gran Torino” opened on Friday Dec. 12th.

The trailer for AAFilmLab Member Eddie LeBron’s fan fiction feature film MEGAMAN has exploded across the internet. Within 48 hours Eddie’s own website came crashing down from overloaded traffic, Ningin.com recorded 40,000 views the first 48 hours, and YouTube rankings are below! Kudos to Eddie and best of luck in the final legs of post production.

MEGAMAN also features the acting skills of AAFilmLab Members Carl Li, Jeanie Tse, and Wayne Chang. David Hou assisted in production.

Watch the film here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueUDWs4JJOo
In High-Def:
http://ningin.com/mediastream/item:show/2008/11/21/megaman-movie-official-trailer/

For more information on Eddie and Megaman:
http://www.eddielebron.com
http://www.megamanfilm.com

YouTube rankings for MEGAMAN TRAILER 11/23/08
#56 - Most Discussed (Today) - Film & Animation
#74 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Australia
#34 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Canada
#19 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - New Zealand
#98 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Mexico
#10 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Brazil
#54 - Most Viewed (Today) - Film & Animation - Sweden
#25 - Top Favorited (Today) - Film & Animation
#67 - Top Rated (Today) - Film & Animation

The Asian American Film Lab has received a grant from the Asian American Arts Alliance to produce The Sixth Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout, a competition for filmmaking teams nationwide to write, shoot, edit and produce short digital films

The Asian American Arts Alliance awarded grants to eleven New York City arts groups through the JP Morgan Chase Small Arts Organizations Regrant (SOAR) Program. Selected by an independent panel of community leaders, the grants support music, theater, literature, film, dance and interdisciplinary projects from groups who identify as Asian American, or who are working in collaboration with Asian American artists and on Asian American themes. “We are thrilled with the broad range of strong community-based projects we are able to support with this program” said Nico Daswani, the new Program Director of the Alliance.

The program is part of the Alliance’s mission to bring increased financial and other resources to Asian American artists and arts groups in New York City. The Alliance has been providing re-grants to artists and groups since 1994, and has worked in partnership with JP Morgan Chase Foundation since 1997 on this program to support small organizations in this community.

This Tuesday, 72 Hour Film Shootout Judge and editor extraordinaire Jean Tsien will conduct an editing workshop with the AAFilmLab. Jean’s editing credits include the 2001 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature, SCOTTSBORO: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. Her recent editing credits include DIXIE CHICKS: SHUT UP AND SING, and the critically acclaimed, 2007 Silverdocs Sterling award winner, PLEASE VOTE FOR ME. She won a Golden Reel for CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and she has been serving as the Programming Chair for Center for Asian American Media.

This is a free event for AAFilmLab Members and $5 for Non-Members.
RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with subject line:
EDITING WORKSHOP
Tues, Sept 30, 7:30pm
19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY

AAFilmLab is proud to announce the acceptance of several films from AAFilmLab Members into the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival.

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival 2008 from Tim Pachuau on Vimeo.
This year’s films include:
“Kung Fu Granny”
AAFilmLab Members: Myra Sito Velasquez (Director), Sunah Kim (Producer), David Hou (1st AD), Peter Chin (Sound Recordist)

“Since You’ve Been Ong” from the 4th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout

The Top 10 Films from the 5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout
“Drain”
“Cold War”
“Miles, Apart”
“No Holding Back”
“First Goodbye Cleaning Agency”
“Killer Headline”
“Say Goodbye” (Team Cineasia)
“Say Goodbye” (Team Vision)
“Suspense’s How to Jedi Mind Trick the B*itches”
“A First Goodbye”

We congratulate all the filmmakers for their hard work and efforts.
For more information on the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, visit: http://www.phillyasianfilmfest.org/

It is with both pride and sorrow to announce that AAFilmLab’s Fundraising Chair Hai Ninh has accepted a position as Field Organizer for the Obama Philadelphia Campaign. Hai has left New York City and will be in Philadelphia until the election in November. We are sorry to have Hai leave us but the Obama campaign is something that we have all known to be of great personal importance to Hai. With less than two months left before the election, we know that Hai’s days will be long and difficult but his character and work ethic will be a great asset to the Obama Campaign. The Asian American Film Lab wishes him well in his new professional and personal endeavor to have Barack Obama elected the next President of the United State.

AAFilmLab is welcomes everyone back from the summer with the Film and Food Mixer, Tuesday, Sept 23 at 7:30pm. Bring your film for screening and casual discussion. If you haven’t got a film, bring food instead. See old friends and meet new ones. This meeting is free and open to the public. Bringing a film or food is optional, but encouraged. RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with subject line: FILM AND FOOD. Specify if you will be bringing film or food. Please include a brief synopsis of your film. Films can be shorts, trailers, music videos or scenes from features in progress.

CONFIRMED FILMS:
KUNG FU GRANNY
AAFilmLab Member Myra Sito Velasquez’s “Kung Fu Granny” premiered last week at the Urbanworld Film Festival in NYC. The crew of “KUNG FU GRANNY” also included AAFilmLab members Sunah Kim (Producer), Peter Chin (Sound Recordist) and David Hou (1st AD).

GOOD, BYE
AAFilmLab Member Sean Tarjyoto’s “Good, Bye.” is a dramedy that chronicles the beginning and possible end of an interracial relationship in New York’s Chinatown.

LOVELESS
AAFilmLab Member Edde LeBron’s “Loveless” is a story of 2 lovers who discover each is married.  Matters get worse when the couple decides to break the news to their respective spouses.  Part one of the “Love in Chinatown” trilogy. In Cantonese with English Subtitles.

***GOT A FILM? Bring it!***

AAFilmLab is a Community Partner of the 2008 New York Korean Film Festival. AAFilmLab members can purchase discounted tickets from http://www.koreanfilmfestival.org as. AAFilmLab will be listed once you add ticket(s) to your cart. Tickets for the Opening Night Reception are $25 for AAFilmLab members. Regular pricing is $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Now in its eighth year, this will mark the first time that the New York Korean Film Festival will host an Opening Reception. To be held at the elegant The Times Center on August 21, 2008 at 6:00 PM, the event promises to kick start what will be a great film festival. The 400 guests will be treated to a catered cocktail reception to be followed by a special screening of Hwang Jin-Yi and special appearances by director Chang Youn-hyun and actor Yoo Ji-tae. Korean American actor John Cho will host the event. At the opening reception, the film festival will also announce the winners of its short film program.

To purchase tickets:
http://www.koreasociety.org/upcoming_events/nykff_opening_reception/flypage_new.html
Choose Member Discount: AAFilmLab

The 5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout Award Winners were announced live today on stage as a special program of the Asian American International Film Festival in New York City.

Click for full list of winning films.

Time is running out! Shootout Audience Award voting closes at 12pm EST, Friday, July 11.

The Audience Award winner will be announced live and on stage this Sunday at the Shootout Awards.

For details and to purchase tickets:
http://aaiff.org/2008/content/72-hour-shootout

The 5th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout Awards are live this Sunday, July 13, at Asia Society, New York City. Presented with Asian Cinevision as a special program of the Asian American International Film Festival, the Shootout Awards begin at 12:30pm. Find out who will be in The Top 10 Films, who will be Best Of, who will win the Chinatown Award, who will claim the Audience Award, and who will be crowned Grand Prize Winner.
http://aaiff.org/2008/content/72-hour-shootout

To purchase tickets:
https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/605182

Reception to follow immediately at Stir NYC, 1363 First Avenue (btwn 72nd and 73rd St).
Free shuttle transportation provided by Toyota.
Get a free beer with your ticket stub compliments of Singha Beer (while supplies last).
http://www.stirnyc.com/