Los Angeles Film Festival

Lots of Asian representation at the Los Angeles Film Festival. This year's Los Angeles Film Festival kicked off it's opening night with the World Premiere of “Wanted” starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie. Unfortunately, Angelina did not make it to the premiere as she readies herself for the birth of her twin babies. Event photographers anxiously awaited the arrival of the newlywed couple of Nick Cannon and Mariah Carrey. Hmm, was there a misprint in the “Tip Sheet.” Half way through the event, photogs began asking if the couple were coming. One publicist gave a quick laugh with out saying yes or no. We already knew what that meant. No Mariah. Harry Kim, Elizabeth Ai and David Choe of Dirty Hands shown above at the Film Festival.

As for the festival itself, this year's theme is dubbed “The Audience Is King” with quite a few screening that will be free to the public. Another wonderful aspect of the screening, is the abundance of Asians being represented in the Los Angeles Film Festival from Jennifer Phang to PJ Raval from the films “Half-Life” and “Trinidad” respectively. One major screening special includes the “Shaw Sensation.” The special screenings include films from the Shaw Bros studio which was established in Shanghai in the 1920's. Most movies were lensed in Mandarin but also included directors from Japan and South Korea.

An interesting international showcase is “The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela” by director/write Olaf De Fleur Johannesson. Raquela is a Filipina transexual sex worker longing for romance and a better life with trying to keep her humanity intact.

If you're in Los Angeles, head out the film festival which is being hosted at UCLA's Westwood Village. A great convenience of the festival is that there are shuttles to take you from one screening venue to another. The festival runs from June 19-29. “Wanted” opens on June 27.

Photo and red carpet report by www.pacificrimphotopress.com