The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (March 11 – 21,

The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (March 11 – 21, 2010), presented by the Center for Asian American Media, wrapped with an estimated attendance of over 25,000, including over 200 filmmakers, actors and industry guests. 50 of 97 shows—more than half—sold out, creating an exciting buzz throughout the event. The program featured seven world premieres, one North American premiere and two U.S. premieres of feature-length films.

JURIED & AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Festival is pleased to announce the winners of its two juried competitions for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature, and the winners of its Comcast Audience Award. The winners are:

Narrative Competition

Best Narrative Feature: DEAR LEMON LIMA, Director Suzi Yoonessi (above picture)

Special Jury Award: THE MOUNTAIN THIEF, Director Gerry Balasta

Jury Recognition for Visual Achievement: FOG, Director Kit Hui

The Narrative Competition Jury included: independent film producer Karin Chien (THE MOTEL), Tokyo-based producer Yukie Kito (TOKYO SONATA, A THOUSAND YEARS OF GOOD PRAYERS), and California College of the Arts professor of visual studies Jeanette Roan. Of the winning film, DEAR LEMON LIMA, the jury stated:

“Our Best Narrative Award goes to an emerging talent whose film builds a charmingly unique world. Set in Alaska against the struggle to properly acknowledge Native Alaskan heritage, this exploration of identity, multiculturalism, and the timeless theme of adolescent fitting in celebrates difference in the director’s stylish and masterfully-crafted vision. Our congratulations to DEAR LEMON LIMA, directed by Suzi Yoonessi.”

Of the Special Jury Award winner THE MOUNTAIN THIEF:

“We were moved by this earnest and heartfelt portrayal of community, compelling drama of life, love, and loss, and work of social advocacy. This story of survival, ambition, and redemption directed by a talented up-and-coming director draws us into its world with consciousness and compassion. We’re happy to present this year’s Special Jury Award to THE MOUNTAIN THIEF, directed by Gerry Balasta.”

Of the Jury Recognition for Visual Achievement winner FOG:

“This intimate film about one man’s search for his personal history and identity as told against the backdrop of the history of Hong Kong utilized the visual language of cinema to communicate a lyrical and captivating world full of uncertainty. For this work we’re pleased to honor FOG, directed by Kit Hui.”

Documentary Competition:

Best Documentary Feature: WO AI NI MOMMY, directed by Stephanie Wang-Breal

The Documentary Competition Jury included: Baltimore-based filmmaker Ramona Diaz (IMEDLA), New American Media editor and radio host Sandip Roy, and Emmy-award winning writer and producer Steve Talbot. Of the winning film, WO AI NI MOMMY the jury stated:

“Out of the six films in this year’s SFIAAFF Documentary Competition, the jury chose to give the Best Documentary Feature Award to an intimate film that takes the camera to a place you don’t have access to. With no fortune cookie answers, the film brings up more questions than answers, producing complicated and conflicted emotions. It’s a well-crafted and assured film, giving its audience a rarely-seen look into a child’s perspective of transnational adoption.”

COMCAST AUDIENCE AWARD:

Best Narrative Feature: AU REVOIR TAIPEI, Director Arvin Chen

Best Documentary Feature (tie): IN THE MATTER OF CHA JUNG HEE, Directed by Deann Borshay Liem

and A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES, Directed by S. Leo Chiang

Festival Highlights

The festival opened with Aasif Mandvi and David Kaplan’s romantic foodie comedy TODAY’S SPECIAL at the Castro Theatre and closed with the North American premiere of local filmmaker Arvin Chen’s breezy AU REVOIR TAIPEI at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas. The directors and casts graced the stages to answer questions about their films.

The Festival’s Centerpiece presentation this year at the Castro Theatre was the sold-out screening of Quentin Lee’s new raunchy comedy, THE PEOPLE I’VE SLEPT WITH. Lee returned to the Festival thirteen years after his SHOPPING FOR FANGS (SFIAAFF ’97). The cast and crew, including actress Karin Anna Cheung were on hand for a lively Q&A after the film.

A retrospective of the works of Lino Brocka offered screenings of many of his under-seen films including: YOU WERE WEIGHED AND FOUND WANTING, INSIANG, BAYAN KO: MY OWN COUNTRY, and MANILA IN THE CLAWS OF NEON. Another spotlight showcased the documentaries of Freida Lee Mock, with the Oscar-winning director on hand to discuss her films SING CHINA! and LT. WATADA. Other special presentations included the World Premiere of Deann Borshay Liem’s autobiographical investigation IN THE MATTER OF CHA JUNG HEE, Yang Fudong’s SEVEN INTELLECTUALS IN A BAMBOO FOREST, PARTS 4&5 and an archival screening of 1960 Korean thriller THE HOUSEMAID.

World Premieres at the Festival included Jury Award winner THE MOUNTAIN THIEF (Gerry Balasta, USA), FOG (Kit Hui, Hong Kong/USA) and documentary LESSONS OF THE BLOOD (James T. Hong & Yin-Ju Chen, USA). Panels included the quickly sold-out CHANGING DA GAME, featuring young YouTube sensations, Kevin Wu (aka KevJumba), Ryan Higa (aka Nigahiga), Timothy Chantarangsu (aka Timothy DeLaGhetto) and Wong Fu Productions.

Other film luminaries in town to present films included director Ruby Yang (A MOMENT IN TIME), Madhur Jaffrey (TODAY’S SPECIAL), Lawrence Ko (AU REVOIR TAIPEI), and Suzi Yoonessi (DEAR LEMON LIMA).

This year’s Directions in Sound, the festival’s annual live music event, featured the spandex-clad hip-hop ladies of Hot Tub and Beat Junkie member DJ Shortkut, among several other SF sensations. The day-long Festival Forum, in Japantown’s Peace Plaza, showcased another selection of local musicians and dancers, including interactive projects from Imin Yeh and Lordy Rodriguez. The free, outdoor event ended with a screening of ENTER THE DRAGON.

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