AsianAmericanFilm.com

From the official announcement:

AFFD is now accepting entries for the 9th Annual Asian Film Festival
of Dallas, July 23-29, 2010 in Dallas, TX!

The Asian Film Festival of Dallas occurs during one week each summer
in Dallas, Texas. Festival goers and filmmakers escape the Texas heat
with dozens of feature films and shorts, from all genres and from all
over the world.

AFFD is open to any feature film or video productions by Asian
Americans and Asian International filmmakers, or with subject matter
concerning Asian issues from any year, country, state, age, category,
and serving any theme.

AFFD was founded in 2001 and has grown to become the largest showcase
of Asian and Asian American films in the southwest United States. AFFD
provides multiple venues and opportunities for Asian and Asian
American filmmakers and their projects to be featured, often providing
the only opportunity for their work to be exhibited in the Dallas/Fort
Worth area.

Please visit www.affd.org for complete Rules and Regulations and to
submit. Email us at mailbag@affd.org if you have any questions.

DEADLINES AND ENTRY FEES

Early Deadline: February 15, 2010 (postmarked)
Early Deadline Entry Fee: $35 (Feature film), $20 (Short film)
Final Deadline: March 15, 2010 (postmarked)
Final Deadline Entry Fee: $40 (Feature film), $25 (Short film)
Fees will be discounted $5 if submitted through Withoutabox.

Hello Film Makers!

The San Diego Asian Film Foundation (SDAFF) is proud to announce its 2010 call for entries. SDAFF will celebrate its 11th annual film festival season to an estimated audience of more than 18,000 during 8 days of film, panels, and exciting special events.

The San Diego Asian Film Festival is competitive, seeking entries in the following categories: narrative feature, narrative short, documentary feature, documentary short, and animation. An independent jury selects winners in each category, along with the Grand Jury award, which are announced at the Festival's Gala Awards Night on Saturday, October 23, 2010. Festival programmers also select a first-time filmmaker to receive the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award, which is accompanied by a $1,000 prize.

Films/videos submitted must be directed or principally acted by an artist of Asian or Pacific Islander descent; or whose subject matter relates to Asian or Pacific Islander culture.
• Early Deadline: April 30, 2009 ($25 Submission Fee)
• Late Deadline: June 11, 2009 ($40 Submission Fee)

The 11th San Diego Asian Film Festival is schedule for October 21-28, 2010 at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center. All rules, entry forms, application, and festival info can be found online at www.sdaff.org. The San Diego Asian Film Festival is an event of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting audiences with the Human Experience through the Pan-Asian media arts.

We Look Forward to Receiving Your Entries! Please feel free to contact us at Info@sdaff.org or 858.565.1264 with any questions.

www.sdaff.org

Melissa Hung has been running the Slant Bold Asian Images Film Festival in Houston, Texas, for ten years. Due to cuts in funding to arts organizations, the festival's put out a call for donations in order to keep going. Check out the video below and click here to donate.

From the official press release:

FESTIVAL DARLINGS "CHILDREN OF INVENTION" AND "WHITE ON RICE"
JOIN FORCES FOR JOINT THEATRICAL RELEASE IN NEW YORK CITY
Award-Winning Filmmakers Embrace "DIWO Distribution" and
Shifting Release Windows in the Current Independent Film Revolution

New York, NY -- The creators of the award-winning independent films CHILDREN OF INVENTION and WHITE ON RICE are collaborating for a unique joint theatrical release in New York City. The double bill will debut on March 12, 2010 at the newly renovated BIG Cinemas Manhattan (formerly the ImaginAsian Theater), sharing the facility's single screen. Dylan Marchetti of theatrical distribution company Variance Films proposed the alliance and negotiated the pact with the theater. The Big Cinemas run will mark the New York theatrical debut for both films. Audience members will be offered a significant discount for purchasing tickets to both films.

Of the joint run, CHILDREN OF INVENTION producer Mynette Louie said, "We kept running into the WHITE ON RICE folks on our festival run, so we all became good friends. It makes perfect sense for us to buoy each other's promotional efforts in true 'DIWO' style. DIWO means 'Do It With Others,' and it's much more fruitful than DIY, particularly in this hostile climate for indie films." CHILDREN OF INVENTION will also open simultaneously in Los Angeles on March 12 at the Downtown Independent. It will first open in Boston for a hometown run on February 26 at the Brattle Theatre.

Written and directed by Tze Chun, CHILDREN OF INVENTION is about two young children outside Boston who are left to fend for themselves when their mother gets embroiled in a pyramid scheme and disappears. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival selection has amassed 15 festival awards, screened at over 40 festivals, and was named one of the Top 13 Films of 2009 by Hammer to Nail. Chun and Louie recently made Ted Hope's list of "21 Brave Thinkers Of Truly Free Film" for their DIWO festival/DVD distribution strategy.

WHITE ON RICE is a raucous comedy about Hajime "Jimmy" Beppu (Hiroshi Watanabe, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA), a recently divorced lovable loser crashing on his 10-year-old nephew's bunk bed. A chance encounter with a distant relative leads him to plot his romantic comeback. After a six-month long festival run, the film has been released theatrically in ten cities through Variance Films, grossing over $60,000, and has been shown as part of Range Life Entertainment's college tour. The film, which has been declared "a cinematic milestone" by the San Francisco Chronicle, won two Special Jury awards at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, as well as the Audience Award at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. WHITE ON RICE will have its Japan premiere at the 2010 Osaka Asian Film Festival.

Also a DIWO pioneer, WHITE ON RICE director Dave Boyle said, "In the new indie filmmaking landscape, we've got to become more proactive about helping each other build an audience. I'm very proud to be working with my friends from CHILDREN and I hope these kinds of collaborations become the norm."

Dylan Marchetti, president of Variance Films, a theatrical distribution company dedicated solely to the DIWO philosophy of working directly with filmmakers to help them get their films into theaters while keeping full control of all of their rights, said, "We believe there is one single rule in the world of distribution that actually needs to be followed, and that is that good films belong in movie theaters. Any other rules can, and likely should, be ignored. This is a prime example. Why can't two great films team up for a release in New York? Why can't filmmakers sell their own DVDs by the exit? Why can't filmmakers take ownership and contribute to the success of their films? Dave, Tze, and Mynette are some of the most forward-thinking people I've met in 14 years in this industry, and I'm delighted to have the chance to help the get their films out into the world."

In a sign of shifting distribution windows, both CHILDREN OF INVENTION and WHITE ON RICE are currently available on DVD in a limited edition, directly from the films' websites. Screening times, theater directions, and other information can also be found on the sites:
• www.childrenofinvention.com
• www.whiteonricethemovie.com

A special announcement from Curtis Choy:

Holiday Discount! on Original Movies from Asian Amerika

SWELL GIFTS FOR THE HIP AND HIPHOPPED

All items at www.chonkmoonhunter.com 10% off plus free shipping

For this special offer, you must send your prepaid order to

Curtis Choy
1824 S. Cordova St.
Alhambra CA 91801

This offer expires 12/16/2009, and applies to home users only. Cannot be combined with other discount offers. Rush delivery at extra cost.
Questions? (626)281-3273 or chonkmoonhunter@yahoo.com

From the official announcement:

Make Your Mark on B HERE!

B HERE, a campaign created to raise awareness of hepatitis B and its impact on the Asian American community, announced a call for entries in the Make Your Mark Contest in the categories of video, song/story and art to invite others to add their voice to the campaign. The aim of the contest is to help raise awareness about hepatitis B among Asian Americans and inspire those in the community impacted by the disease to continue their fight.

Video category submissions for the contest are required to be 30 seconds of original content. The song and story category submissions can be in the form of song or spoken word such as essay, poem or short story. Submissions for the art category can be a painting, drawing, photograph, sculpture, or a computer-aided illustration.
Registered supporters of the B HERE campaign will be able to place their votes per category online to choose the People's Choice Winner. Each People's Choice Winner will win a cash prize of $2500 and Gilead will reward another $2500 to the winner of the Grand Prize. All entries must be submitted by registered users by January 30, 2010. The deadline to register for the contest is December 15, 2009.

In addition to the Make Your Mark Contest, B HERE also launched an on campus live event tour in the month of October. The B HERE on Campus Tour kicked off on October 5th at UC Irvine and travelled to University of Houston on October 13th and UC Davis on October 28th. The two part live event for all three campuses consisted of an art exhibit featuring original artwork by Asian American artists and also a live performance featuring up and coming Asian American musicians and performers like YouTube celebrities, KevJumba and Happy Slip, as well as KABA Modern from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. Over 3000 students came out to support the campaign.

For further information and to make your mark on hepatitis B, please visit the B HERE website at www.willyouBhere.com.

About PLAN C Agency

PLAN C Agency is a full service multi-cultural marketing agency specializing in the Asian American market. With over 12 years of experience, PLAN C Agency provides Fortune 500 clients with a comprehensive and innovative approach in successfully establishing their brand and campaigns in the Asian American market. PLAN C Agency offers a 360 degree approach to traditional and non-traditional services in promotions, public relations, creative development, entertainment, market research and experiential marketing.

A note from the director of "Children of Invention" from our mailbox:

Dear Asian American publication, blog, fest programmer, avid Twitterer, and the like:

Please consider putting the DVD of Tze Chun's CHILDREN OF INVENTION on your Christmas gift lists! As we were the only Asian American narrative feature at Sundance this year, and we are self-distributing our beloved little indie film (like the good hardworking Asians that we are!), we would totally appreciate any mention of and links to our online store:

http://www.childrenofinvention.com/store.htm
-OR-
http://tinyurl.com/ybx4yrg

Note that we will be discontinuing our limited-edition festival-run DVDs (which include the award-winning short film Windowbreaker) as soon as we sell out of the current run. Get them while they last!

CHILDREN OF INVENTION
(2009 Sundance Film Festival + Over 40 Festivals + 15 Festival Awards)
Limited Deluxe DVD
Includes award-winning short film WINDOWBREAKER (Sundance '07)
$19.99

FREE SHIPPING on orders of 2 or more.

As further encouragement, you may include a link to the excellent post by Philiip at You Offend Me You Offend My Family about the importance of supporting Asian American filmmakers:

http://youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com/hollywood-and-asians-why-protests-alone-won't-change-anything/
- OR -
http://tinyurl.com/m9uorb

Thanks very much and happy holidays!
Children of Invention

--
Children of Invention ~ A Film By Tze Chun
www.childrenofinvention.com
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33164328971

From the official announcement from the Houston-based Asian American film showcase:

Call for Entries:
SLANT FILM FESTIVAL
Bold Asian American Images

10th Annual Shorts Film Festival. May 22, 2010.

Deadline: Postmark by January 30, 2010

Slant: Bold Asian American Images, an annual film festival of short films seeks works by Asian American filmmakers. Now in its 10th year, Slant will showcase an eclectic mix of the best in emerging Asian American cinema. All genres are accepted.

Slant is hosted by the Aurora Picture Show, a nonprofit microcinema dedicated to showing non-commercial film, video, and new media. Aurora's primary interest is curating high quality group programs that give exposure to emerging artists and new works.

Program Content: All genres, including narrative, experimental, film art/video art, documentary and animation.

Eligibility: Filmmakers or film content should be Asian American or Asian Canadian.

Running Time: Each work should run 30 minutes or less.

Guidelines here: www.slantfestival.org

A message from our inbox:

Hi, my name is Tracy, an intern for the San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Festival. I'm excited to announce that the application is now available for the 2010 SFIAAFF Student Delegate Program (SDP), in which students have the opportunity to participate in the festival by going behind the scenes in a structured program of screenings, events, and meetings. They can also access other festival events, such as panels, talks and parties, and write for the festival Web site! This is the second year of the SFIAAFF SDP, so we are very excited to offer students experience in the film festival circuit and interaction with filmmakers. Our first year of SDP was very successful and students last year enjoyed all that the program has to offer.

Students may visit our website www.asianamericanmedia.org for more information including the application. Hope to hear from you soon!

From the official press release:

Lee Neighborhood Theatres
in conjunction with
World Channel present

The 3rd Annual Chinese American Film Festival
Nov 13th - Nov 19th

Lee Neighborhood Theatres in conjunction with World Channel kicks off the 3rd annual Chinese American Film Festival in San Francisco. The festival will be held at the 4-Star Theatre, one of the Lee Neighborhood Theatres, from Friday November 13th to Thursday November 19th. This year's festival will be screening 8 carefully chosen films 5 of which are new 2009 releases including The Founding of a Republic which is a story about the foundation of People's Republic of China starring 170 famous actors. This year's films consist of a variety of genres and time periods from Chinese history to romantic comedy. 8 featured films are: The Message (2009); Red Cliff II (2009); Sophie's Revenge (2009); The Founding of a Republic (2009); Turning Point 1977 (2009); The Equation of Love and Death (2008); And The Spring Comes (2007); Stirring Trip to Mutuo (2003).

Ticket Price: $8
Series Ticket: $35 for all 8 films

Theater Website: www.lntsf.com http://www.lntsf.com/the_3rd_annual_chinese_american_film_festival

The Austin Asian American Film Festival opens tonight and runs through Sunday at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas. Click here to visit the official website.

Via the ACV newsletter:

The IFFLA is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry performers and business executives, and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora.

Film Submission Deadline: January 8, 2010

IFFLA Film Fund: a new program that seeks to help emerging filmmakers realize their feature-length narrative and non-narrative film projects that reflect universal themes inherent within Indian culture.

Application Submission Deadline: November 2, 2009

For more information Click Here.

The Asian American International Film Festival in New York has announced a call for interns. See below for the positions available.

CALL FOR INTERNS

Come join the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) Team! AAIFF is the first and longest running film festival in the U.S. that honors works by and about Asian and Asian Americans. We are now hiring for spring and summer internships. Interns will have the opportunity to work closely in producing the Festival through various positions. All internships are equivalent to entry-level job positions, and require persons with initiative, dedication, and the ability to think outside the box. Preference will be given to candidates who can commit to staying on for the Festival. The AAIFF10 will be held July 14-18, 2010 in New York City.

Design/Web Assistant
(ASAP or Early January to End of July)
Help manage and regularly update our new website that is scheduled to launch in mid October. Big plusses: experience in interactive, graphic, or web design and knowledge in HTML.

Outreach Coordinator
(ASAP or Early January to End of July)
Oversee responsibilities for research and public relations development via establishing relationships with various community organizations, universities, schools, and clubs for special/promotional events.

Program & Prints Coordinator
(Early January to End of July)
Facilitate process of all film-related programming, including tracking submissions and prints. Serve as liaison for accredited filmmakers, industry, and guests of the film festival.

Marketing Assistant
(Early April to End of July)
Assist with public relations and promotional works for AAIFF10. A background in film is not necessary, but excellent writing skill is a must.

Tech Production Assistant
(Early April to End of July)
Assist with tech support ranging from DVD burning, editing, to digitizing. Experience in Final Cut Pro and/or Photoshop a BIG plus but will train on job.

Production Assistant
(Early April to End of July)
Help execute production of Festival programs and special events. Coordinate logistics with sites, vendors, and sponsors. Assist with day-to-day operations.

Qualifications:
· Students with a genuine interest in the arts, humanities, and/or film.
· Detail-oriented with a keen sense of organization.
· Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
· Familiarity with Mac platforms and Microsoft Office suite.
· Able to commit 15-20 hours a week.
· BIG plusses: Knowledge of film/video formats and handling; fluency in Asian languages; familiarity with FileMaker Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, Dreamweaver, and proficiency in HTML/CSS/PHP.

Internships are unpaid but come with travel reimbursement (up to $4.50 a day) and university credit (if applicable). If interested, please email your resume and cover letter to Minnie Li at minnie@asiancinevision.org. In your cover letter, please state your availability, earliest start date, and for which position you are applying. No calls please. Asian CineVision's office is located at 133 West 19th Street, New York.

About Asian CineVision
Grassroots media activists in New York's Chinatown founded ACV in 1976. At a time of exceptional energy and political activism of diverse cultural groups, ACV's founders saw the need to bring greater social awareness of Asian American experience and history to both Asian American communities and to the public at large. In response to the lack of distribution and exhibition of Asian American works, ACV produced the first Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) in 1978. This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Festival.

:
AFI FEST 2009 IN LOS ANGELES ANNOUNCED THEIR LINE UP FOR THIS YEAR.
It looks great with a number of films from Asian directors including:

MOTHER by BONG JOON-HO
PETITION by ZHAO LIANG
CITY OF LIFE DEATH by LU CHUAN

AFI FEST 2009 PRESENTED BY AUDI
ANNOUNCES THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY'S
"A SINGLE MAN" AS CLOSING NIGHT GALA PRESENTATION
 
SONY PICTURES CLASSICS'
"THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS"
IS CENTERPIECE SCREENING GALA PRESENTATION
 
PROGRAMMING INCLUDES TRIBUTES TO
VIGGO MORTENSEN AND CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER
 
COMPLETE FESTIVAL LINEUP ANNOUNCED
 
TICKETS AVAILABLE STARTING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
 
AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi today announced the complete lineup of films for the 23rd edition of the Festival, including the Closing Night Gala, Centerpiece Screening, Tributes and Special Presentations.
The complete program line-up for AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi is as follows: 

GALAS/TRIBUTES
Opening Night Gala-FANTASTIC MR. FOX (North American Premiere) Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Jarvis Cocker DIR: Wes Anderson PROD: Allison Abbate, Scott Rudin, Wes Anderson and Jeremy Dawson USA 

Centerpiece Gala-THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS (US Premiere) Cast: Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell DIR: Terry Gilliam PROD: Amy Gilliam, Terry Gilliam, Samuel Hadida, William Vince EXEC PROD: Patrice Theroux, David Valleau USA

Gala-EVERYBODY'S FINE (World Premiere) Cast: Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, Melissa Leo DIR: Kirk Jones PROD: Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Ted Field, Glynis Murray, Gianni Nunnari EXEC PROD: Craig J. Flores, Callum Greene USA 

Tribute-THE LAST STATION Cast: Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, Paul Giamatti, James McAvoy DIR: Michael Hoffman PROD: Bonnie Arnold, Chris Curling EXEC PROD: Andrei Konchalovsky, Robert Little, Phil Robertson, Judy Tossell UK/Germany

Gala-PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sheri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz DIR: Lee Daniels PROD: Lee Daniels, Gary Magness, Sarah Siegel-Magness EXEC PROD: Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Lisa Cortes, Tom Heller USA

Gala-THE ROAD (US Premiere) Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, Molly Parker DIR: John Hillcoat PROD: Paula Mae Schwartz, Steve Schwartz, Nick Wechsler EXEC PROD: Marc Butan, Mark Cuban, Rudd Simmons, Todd Wagner USA 

Closing Night Gala-A SINGLE MAN (US Premeiere) Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin DIR: Tom Ford PROD: Tom Ford, Andrew Miano, Robert Salerno, Chris Weitz USA
 
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A showcase honoring film history and its filmmakers.

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) Cast: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, Leo G. Carroll, Martin Landau DIR: Alfred Hitchcock PROD: Herbert Coleman, Alfred Hitchcock USA
 
SOMETHING'S GONNA LIVE (World Premiere) Subjects: Robert "Bob" Boyle, Haskell Wexler, Henry Bumstead, Harold Michelson, Albert Nozaki DIR: Daniel Raim PROD: Daniel Raim USA
WAKE IN FRIGHT Cast: Gary Bond, Donald Pleasence, Chips Rafferty, Sylvia Kay, Jack Thompson DIR: Ted Kotcheff PROD: George Willoughby, EXEC PROD: Bill Harmon, Howard G. Barnes Australia
 
NEW LIGHTS COMPETITION
This section features and honors vital, groundbreaking films by first- and second-time feature filmmakers from around the world.
AJAMI Cast: Fouad Habash, Nisrine Rihan, Elias Saba, Youssef Sahwani DIR: Scandar Copti, Yaron Shani PROD: Moshe Danon, Thanassis Karathanos EXEC PROD: James Richardson Israel/Germany

EASIER WITH PRACTICE Cast: Brian Geraghty, Marguerite Moreau, Jeanette Brox, Jenna Gavigan, Katie Aselton DIR: Kyle Patrick Alvarez PROD: Cookie Carosella USA 

EVERYONE ELSE (ALLE ANDEREN) Cast: Birgit Minichmayr, Lars Eidinger, Hans-Jochen Wagner, Nicole Marischka DIR: Maren Ade PROD: Maren Ade, Dirk G. Engelhardt, Janine Jackowski Germany 

FIRST OF ALL, FELICIA (FELICIA INAINTE DE TOATE) Cast: Ozana Oancea, Vasile Mentzel, Ileana Cernat, Adina Andrei DIR: Razvan Radulescu, Melissa de Raaf PROD: Ada Solomon Romania/France/Belgium/Croatia

FISH TANK Cast: Michael Fassbender, Harry Treadaway, Katie Jarvis, Kierston Wareing DIR: Andrea Arnold PROD: Kees Kasander EXEC PROD: Christine Langan, David M. Thompson, Paul Trijbits UK 

I KILLED MY MOTHER Cast: Anne Dorval, Xavier Dolan, François Arnaud, Suzanne Clément DIR: Xavier Dolan PROD: Xavier Dolan EXEC PROD: Carole Mondello Canada 

THE MESSENGER Cast: Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Ben Foster, Jena Malone DIR: Oren Moverman PROD: Benjamin Goldhirsh, Mark Gordon, Lawrence Inglee, Zach Miller EXEC PROD: Steffen Aumueller, Nathaniel Bolotin, Christopher Mapp, Shaun Redick, Glenn M. Stewart, Matthew Street, David Whealy, Bryan Zuriff USA

THE MILK OF SORROW (LA TETA ASUSTADA) Cast: Magaly Solier, Susi Sánchez, Efrain Solis, Marino Ballón DIR: Claudia Llosa PROD: Antonio Chavarrías, Claudia Llosa, José María Morales Spain/Peru

NORTHLESS (NORTEADO) Cast: Harold Torres, Alicia Laguna, Sonia Couoh, Luis Cárdenas DIR: Rigoberto Perezcano PROD: Edgar San Juan EXEC PROD: Sergio Castro, Hector Hernandez-Pons, Alejandro Martinez-Gallardo Mexico/Spain 

POLICE, ADJECTIVE Cast: Dragos Bucur, Vlad Ivanov, Irina Saulescu, Ion Stoica DIR: Corneliu Porumboiu PROD: Corneliu Porumboiu Romania

WOMAN WITHOUT PIANO (LA MUJER SIN PIANO) Cast: Jan Budar, Esperanza De la Vega, Tomás del Estal, Nadia de Santiago DIR: Javier Rebello EXEC PROD: Damián Paris, Stefan Schmitz, María Zamora Spain/France
 
WORLD CINEMA
This section presents a selection of new works by many of the world's most renowned filmmakers.

ABOUT ELLY Cast: Taraneh Alidoosti, Golshifteh Farahani, Shahab Hosseini, Mani Haghighi, Merila Zarei, Peyman Moadi, Ahmad Mehranfar, Rana Azadivar, Saber Abar  DIR: Asghar Farhadi PROD: Asghar Farhadi Iran

AFTER.LIFE Cast: Liam Neeson, Christina Ricci, Justin Long DIR: Agnieska Wojtowicz-Vosloo PROD: Brad Michael Gilbert, Bill Perkins, Celine Rattray EXEC PROD: Pamela Hirsch, Edwin L. Marshall, Galt Niederhoffer, James Swisher USA

THE BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL, NEW ORLEANS Cast: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendez, Val Kilmer DIR: Werner Herzog PROD: Edward Pressman, John Thompson, Alan Polsky, Gabe Polsky, Stephen Belafonte EXEC PROD: Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson, Elliot Rosenblatt USA

BELLAMY Cast: Gerard Depardieu DIR: Claude Chabrol PROD: Edward Pressman, John Thompson, Alan Polsky, Gabe Polsky, Stephen Belafonte  EXEC PROD: Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson, Elliot Rosenblatt France

CASTRO Cast: Edgardo Castro, Julia Martínez Rubio, Alberto Suárez, Carla Crespo, Esteban Lamothe DIR: Alejo Moguillansky PROD: Mariano Llinás, Laura Citarella EXEC PROD: Eduardo Costantini Argentina

CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH Cast: Liu Ye, Gao Yuanyuan, Hideo Nakaizumi, Fan Wei, Jiang Yiyan DIR: Lu Chuan PROD: Han Sanping, Steffen Wild China/Hong Kong

THE HOLE Cast: Chris Massoglia, Haley Bennett, Nathan Gamble, Teri Polo, Bruce Dern DIR: Joe Dante PROD: Robert Skotak EXEC PROD: Gary Michael Waters, Chris Bender, J.C. Spink USA

IN THE ATTIC Cast: Barbora Hrzánová, Boris Hybner, Vladimír Javorsky DIR: Jiri Barta PROD:  Milos Smídmajer Czech Republic/Slovakia/Japan

KANIKOSEN Cast: Matsuda Ryuhei, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Kora Kongo, Arai Hirfumi, Emoto Tokio, Kinoshita Takayuki, Kimoto Takehiro DIR: Sabu PROD: Utagawa Yasushi, Mameoka Ryosuke, Tanabe Keigo EXEC PROD Takahito Kashino Japan

A LAKE (North American Premiere) Cast: Dmitry Kubasov, Natalie Rehorova, Alexei Solonchev, Simona Hülsemann, Vitaly Kishchenko, Arthur Semay DIR: Philippe Grandrieux PROD: Catherine Jacques  France

LONDON RIVER Cast: Brenda Blethyn, Sotigui Kouyate DIR: Rachid Bouchareb PROD: Rachid Bouchareb, Jean Bréhat, Mattieu de Braconier, Bertrand Faivre Algeria/France/UK

LOOKING FOR ERIC Cast: Steve Evets, Eric Cantona, John Henshaw, Stephanie Bishop DIR: Ken Loach PROD: Tim Cole EXEC PROD: Rebecca O'Brien UK

MOTHER Cast: Kim Hye-ja, Won Bin, Park Eun-kyo DIR: Bong Joon-ho PROD: Choi Jae-won, Seo Woo-sik EXEC PROD: Miky Lee, Katharine Kim, Yang-kwon Moon South Korea

NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS Cast: Negar Shaghaghi, Askan Koshanejad, Hamed Behdad DIR: Bahman Ghobadi PROD: Bahman Ghobadi EXEC PROD: Roxana Saberi Iran

PERPETUUM MOBILE Cast: Gabino Rodríguez, Teresa Sánchez, Francisco Barreiro DIR: Nicolás Pereda PROD: Nicolás Pereda, Catarina Coyoacan Mexico/Canada

A PROPHET Cast: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb, Hichem Yacoub DIR: Jacques Audiard PROD: Martine Cassinelli, Antonin Dedet France/Italy

RED RIDING TRILOGY (1974, 1980, 1983) Cast: Sean Bean, Andrew Garfield, David Morrissey, John Henshaw, Anthony Flanagan, Rebecca Hall, Peter Mullan DIR: Julian Jarrold, James Marsh, Anand Tucker PROD: Andrew Eaton, Anita Overland, Wendy Brazington EXEC PROD: Liza Marshall, Hugo Heppell, Norman Merry UK
 
ROOM AND A HALF Cast: Alisa Freindlich, Sergei Yursky, Grigory Dityatkovsky, Artem Smola DIR: Andrey Khrzhanovsky PROD: Artem Vassiliev, Andrey Khrzhanovsky Russia

THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES Cast: Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Javier Godino, Guillermo Francella DIR: Juan José Campanella PROD: Gerardo Herrero, Mariela Besuievsky, Juan José Campanella Argentina/Spain

THE SILENT ARMY Cast: Marco Borsato, Andrew Kintu, Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga, Thekla Reuten DIR: Jean van de Velde PROD: Chris Brouwer, Richard Claus, Paul Brinks The Netherlands/France

SWEET RUSH Cast: Krystyna Janda, Pawel Szajda, Jadwiga Jankowska-Cieslak, Julia Pietrucha, Jan Englert DIR: Andrzej Wajda PROD: Waldemar Dabrowski, Slawomir Jozwik, Michal Kwiecinski, Dorota Rakowska-Kosmicka, EXEC PROD: Katarzyna Fukacz-Cebula Poland

TO DIE LIKE A MAN Cast: Fernando Santos, Alexander David, Goncalo Ferreira de Almeida, Chandra Malatitch, Jenny Larrue DIR: Joao Pedro Rodrigues PROD: Maria João Sigalho, Judith Nora Portugal/France

A TOWN CALLED PANIC Cast: Stéphane Aubier, Jeanne Balibar, Veronique Dumont, Bruce Ellison, Frederic Jannin DIR: Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar PROD: Philippe Kauffmann, Vincent Tavier Belgium/France/Luxembourg

VINCERE Cast: Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Filippo Timi, Fausto Russo Alesi, Michela Cescon, Piergiorgio Bellocchio DIR: Marco Bellocchio PROD: Mario Gianani EXEC PROD: Olivia Sleiter Italy/France
 
YOUTH IN REVOLT Cast: Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Long, Steve Buscemi, Jean Smart, Fred Willard, Mary Kay Place DIR: Miguel Arleta PROD: David Permut EXEC PROD: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Nan Morales USA
 
DOCUMENTARY
The best and brightest of challenging, thrilling documentary filmmaking from around the world, as chosen by the AFI FEST Programming Staff. 

THE ART OF THE STEAL; DIR: Don Argott PROD: Sheena M. Joyce EXEC PROD: Lenny Feinberg USA

BEETLE QUEEN CONQUERS TOKYO; DIR: Jessica Oreck PROD: Jessica Oreck USA/Japan

LOS HEREDEROS; DIR: Eugenio Polgovsky PROD: Camille Tauss Mexico

ICONS AMONG US; Subjects: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Olu Dara, Ravi Coltrane, Medeski Martin and Wood DIR: Michael Rivoira/Lars Larson/Peter J. Vogt PROD: John W. Comerford, Theo N. Ianuly USA

LA DANSE: THE PARIS OPERA BALLET; DIR: Frederick Wiseman PROD: Pierre-Oliver Bardet, Frederick Wiseman, Francoise Gazio France/USA

MOSCOW; DIR: Eduardo Coutinho PROD: Beth Pessoa EXEC PROD: João Moreira Salles, Mauricio Andrade Ramos, Guilherme Cezar Coelho Brazil

NE CHANGE RIEN; With: Jeanne Balibar DIR: Pedro Costa PROD: Francisco Villa-Lobos Portugal/France

NEIL YOUNG TRUNK SHOW Subject: Neil Young DIR: Jonathan Demme PROD: Jonathan Demme, Elizabeth Hayes, Mark Kamine EXEC PROD: L.A. Johnson USA

PETITION; DIR: Zhao Liang PROD: Sylvie Blum France/China

REPORTER; With: Nicholas D. Kristof DIR: Eric Daniel Metzgar PROD: Mikaela Beardsley, Steven Cantor EXEC PROD: Ben Affleck USA

SWEETGRASS; DIR: Lucien Castaing-Taylor/Ilisa Barbash PROD: Ilisa Barbash USA

TRANSCENDENT MAN;  DIR: Robert Barry Ptolemy PROD: Barry Ptolemy, Felicia Ptolemy EXEC PROD: Joe DiSanto, John Ramsay, Wren Waters, Doobie White, Drew Dowdle, John Erick Dowdle  USA
 
THE TWO HORSES OF GENGHIS KHAN; DIR: Byambasuren Davaa PROD: Byambasuren Davaa, Beatrix Wesle Germany/Mongolia
 
ALT_CINEMA
Home to alternative filmmaking, this section provides a platform for filmmakers who push the boundaries of culture and cinema.
THE ANCHORAGE Cast: Ulla Edström, Marcus Harrling, Elin Hamren, Bengt Ohlsson DIR: C.W. Winter/Anders Edström PROD: C.W. Winter, Anders Edström USA/Sweden

BEST WORST MOVIE; DIR: Michael Paul Stephenson PROD: Lindsay Rowles Stephenson, Michael Paul Stephenson, Brad Klopman, Jim McKeon, Mary Francis Groom, Ace Goerig EXEC PROD: Alan Hunter, Hugh Hunter USA

GUY AND MADELINE ON A PARK BENCH Cast: Bernard Chazelle, Desiree Garcia, Jason Palmer, Frank Garvin, Sandha Khin DIR: Damien Chazelle PROD: Jasmine McGlade EXEC PROD: W.A.W. Parker USA

THE LOVED ONES Cast: Xavier Samuel, Robin McLeavy, John Brumpton, Victoria Thaine, Jessica McNamee DIR: Sean Byrne PROD: Mark Lazarus, Michael Boughen EXEC PROD: Christopher Mapp, Matthew Street, David Whealy, Bryce Menzies Australia

MODUS OPERANDI Cast: Randy Russell, Danny Trejo, Mark Borchardt, Michael Sottile, Barry Poltermann DIR: Frankie Latina PROD: Shalyse Dominique, Laurie Foote, Mark Foote, Jon Krill, Zebedee LeTendre, Andrew Swant EXEC PROD: Bobby Ciraldo USA

TRASH HUMPERS Cast: Rachel Korine, Brian Kotzue, Travis Nicholson, Harmony Korine DIR: Harmony Korine PROD: Charles-Marie Anthonioz, Amina Dasmal, Robin Fox EXEC PROD: Amina Dasmal, Robin Fox, agnès b USA/UK
 
SHORTS
A wide-ranging selection of shorts by some of the world's leading film artists, including a fresh serving from the ongoing Lunchfilms series (from programmer and Cinemad founder, Mike Plante, in which Plante takes a cash-strapped filmmaker out to lunch, and they pay him back what they owe with a film).
LUNCHFILMS:
 
ALL DAY ALL NIGHT DIR: Sarah Soquel Morhaim USA

THE CALL DIR: David Fenster/David Nordstrom USA

CHINESE BOX DIR: Nick McCarthy USA

CLEAR GLASSES DIR: Sam Green USA

FRIENDS DIR: James Graham USA

GOLDTHWAIT FAMILY HOME MOVIES (ANNIVERSARY EDITION) DIR: Bobcat Goldthwait USA

HOME MOVIE DIR: Braden King USA

JEAN DIR: Kelly Sears USA

LETTERS REAL/NAMES NOT DIR: Azazel Jacobs USA

OFFSHORE BANK DIR: Tom Barndt USA

TIN WOODMAN'S HOME MOVIE #2 DIR: Naomi Uman/Lee Lynch USA

WEIRD CAROLERS DIR: Brent Green USA

WHISKEYPRIEST DIR: Randy Walker/Jennifer Shainin USA

 
SHORTS PROGRAM:
 
THE CITIZENS/LEAD/THE SIMPLE ANTENNAE DIR: Kevin Everson USA

DICK CHENEY IN A COLD, DARK CELL DIR: Jim Finn USA

THE HISTORY OF AVIATION DIR: Balint Kenyeres Hungary/France

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU DIR: Don Hertzfeldt USA

JOHN WAYNE HATED HORSES DIR: Andrew T. Betzer USA

OIL CHANGE DIR: Todd Luoto USA

SEND ME TO THE ´LECTRIC CHAIR DIR: Guy Maddin, Isabella Rossellini Canada

SHORT TERM 12 DIR: Destin Daniel Cretton USA

S/T DIR: Lisandro Alonso Argentina
 
About AFI FEST
AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. Celebrating its 23rd year as a program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi will take place October 30-November 7. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing appreciative audiences with a festive atmosphere and the very best of world film, right in the center of the film capital of the world.

The American Film Market (AFM), November 4-11, 2009, is the market partner of AFI FEST. Together, AFI FEST and AFM provide the only concurrent festival/market event in North America. AFI FEST is the only FIAPF-accredited film festival in the United States. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.
Additional information about AFI FEST is available at www.AFI.com
.
AFI PROJECT: 20/20 is an American Film Institute international initiative designed to enhance cultural exchange, understanding and collaboration through filmmakers and their films from the US and abroad. It is an unprecedented cultural diplomacy effort that is the only international filmmaker exchange supported by all of America's cultural agencies-National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)-and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi is sponsored in part by American Airlines; Absolut Vodka; Little Black Dress Wines; Stella Artois; Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; Mann Theatres; RR Donnelly; the Los Angeles Times; American Film Market (AFM); the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; the Department of Cultural Affairs; and the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency. AFI FEST is made possible in part by a grant from the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is proud to continue its collaborative partnership with the Skirball Cultural Center. Entertainment Weekly is the Presenting Media Sponsor.

About the AFM
During AFM, the business of independent motion picture production and distribution-a truly collaborative process-reaches its peak every year, when more than 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties.  Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world's press and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.
Founded in 1981, the AFM has become the premier global marketplace where Hollywood's decision makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof.  Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed.  In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed - on both completed films and those that haven't started shooting yet - making AFM the must-attend industry event.

The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the trade association representing the world's producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television programs.  More information can be found at http://www.ifta-online.org/afmhttp://www.ifta-online.org/afm>. <

DEAR APA FIRST WEEKEND FILM CLUB MEMBERS!

IF YOU ARE IN LOS ANGELES - PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE AFI FILM FESTIVAL AS WE ARE A COMMUNITY SPONSOR FOR THE OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY FROM CHINA

PETITION
Directed by Zhao Liang
Thursday, November 5 @ 7PM Mann Chinese 6
Hollywood Blvd and Highland

Petition (Petition: La cour des plaignants)
France / China | DIR Zhao Liang
Zhao Liang filmed this documentary, without permission, over more than a decade, building a harrowing testimony of suffering on the part of Chinese citizens who spend years of their lives appealing various injustices and abuses committed by Chinese authorities. Zhao used hidden cameras to record the plight of these petitioners--farmers expelled from their land, citizens whose homes were destroyed without compensation, a fierce widow who has sacrificed her daughter's education to pursue her quest for justice. Filming continued until the eve of the Beijing Olympics, when the image-conscious Chinese government destroyed their dwellings and displaced the petitioners. Activist filmmaking at its most courageous and tenacious, PETITION conveys the idealism and struggles of a vast population seeking a new moral center, while the culture around them strains under massive economic shifts.
Thu. Nov 5, 7:00 pm, Mann 6

The film is part of the AFI FEST 2009 PRESENTED BY AUDI running October 30 - November 7.
MANN'S CHINESE THEATERS @ HOLLYWOOD/HIGHLAND
Los Angeles, CA

AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi takes place October 30th - November 5 in the heart of historic downtown Hollywood at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the neighboring Mann 6 Theater (in the Hollywood and Highland Center) and the Roosevelt Hotel, then moves to Santa Monica for two days of screenings at AFM, the American Film Market.

As our gift to moviegoers, free tickets are available to all festival movies, including a limited number of free tickets to evening red carpet galas. Get your tickets starting October 16 at AFI.com or AFI.com/AFIFEST, or by calling 1-866-AFI-FEST. You can also obtain tickets by going to the Festival Box Office located at the Mann 6 Theatre starting on October 26th, or on the day of the screenings via rush lines.

Become a patron of the festival and purchase an AFI FEST Patron Pass, available now. The AFI FEST Patron Pass provides early entry to screenings, lounge access and other benefits. By becoming a festival patron, you help make this free festival possible and support the art of film. For more details, visit AFI.com or call 1-866-AFI-FEST.

Seating is limited, so get your free tickets starting OCTOBER 16TH! Festival program schedule details will be announced at www.AFI.com

See ya there!

APA FIRST WEEKEND FILM CLUB!

The San Diego Asian Film Festival has announced its programming for its 10th anniversary edition which takes place from October 15 to 29, 2009.

Click here to see the schedule.

From the official press release:

KELLY HU TO STAR IN "ALMOST PERFECT"
FOR SLEW PICTURES
NEW YORK, NY, October 1, 2009 - Slew Pictures announced today that Kelly Hu ("The Scorpion King," "X-Men 2") will star in writer/director Bertha Bay-Sa Pan's romantic comedy "Almost Perfect." Pan will produce with Derrick Tseng ("Life During Wartime," "Choke," "The Ten," "Snow Angels") and Riva Marker ("The Winning Season," "Grace is Gone," "Trucker"). Production is set for October 2009 in New York City.

"Almost Perfect" is the story of Vanessa, a 30-something New York career woman. After too many years of being everybody's go-to girl, she finally gets a chance at love when she meets a man who's almost perfect for her. But, just as she starts to consider the possibility of romance, her family suddenly comes undone. As she juggles a high-maintenance "fashionista" sister on the brink, a surf-bum brother hiding out, an overly-intellectual mother who knows it all, a retired father on a quest for meaning -- and the nearly perfect boyfriend who gets fed up with it all -- Vanessa discovers that the person she really needs to save is herself.
Pan said, "I am so excited to work with Kelly, who not only kicks butt as an action hero, but is also an incredibly thoughtful and nuanced actor, with a killer sense of humor. I can't wait to watch her experience this emotional journey on screen. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Other featured cast members include Ivan Shaw, Roger Rees, Tina Chen, Edison Chen, and Christina Chang.

Founded by award-winning filmmaker Bertha Bay-Sa Pan, Slew Pictures is a New York based production company that develops and produces universal stories that entertain and inspire. Current projects include Annette Apitz's "Fighting Fish," starring Val Emmich and Halley Feiffer.

The Korean American Film Festival of New York is now accepting entries for the 2010 festival, which takes place February 27 at the Times Center.

Click here for submission guidelines.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Movie directors, actors, producers, filmmaker workshops, panel discussions, daily prizes, after-screening parties and much more are headed to the Nation's Capital from October 1 through 10 as the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary throughout the Washington D.C. area.

The DC APA Film Festival has been a part of the community since 1999 and continues to grow. Each year far more films from the U.S. and around the world are submitted than can possibly be shown. We will be screening more than 50 feature, documentary and short films. All screenings are open to the public and some will have free admission.

The festival opens with 9500 Liberty, a critically acclaimed documentary about America's explosive battle over immigration policy, on Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at E Street Cinema. 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 dramatic story, both online and in person. A Q&A with filmmakers Eric Byler and Annabel Park and a reception follows the screening.

The festival's centerpiece presentation, Honokaa Boy, tells the coming-of-age story of a Japanese college student who falls in love with the sleepy Hawaiian town of Honokaa. This 2009 DC APA Film Festival Best Feature Narrative winner makes its U.S. mainland premiere at E Street Cinema on October 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Official Sundance Selection Children of Invention, 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, is the closing night film. Children of Invention makes its D.C. debut on Oct. 10, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Goethe Institut. A Q&A and reception follows both screenings.

Ever dreamed about making a movie but can't afford film school? Learn how to make a low-budget short and learn all the stages of filmmaking in just two hours at a workshop led by experienced, award-winning filmmaker J.P. Chan on October 9 at the Goethe Institut. Throughout the festival there will be daily raffles where you can win t-shirts, subscriptions to Asian American magazines such as Hyphen and Giant Robot and much more.

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.

For more information visit http://www.apafilm.org.