From the APAFirstWeekend Newsletter:

Asian Americans represented proudly tonight at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Awards 2006!

Filmmaker ERIC BYLER took home two awards for his film AMERICANESE starring Chris Tashima, Allison Sie, Joan Chen and Kelly Hu. Byler's second film won the SXSW JURY PRIZE FOR BEST ENSEMBLE ACTING and the SXSW AUDIENCE AWARD FOR NARRATIVE FEATURE! Byler had previously won the Audience Award four years ago for CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES.

Director EUNEE CHO took home one award for her film, INNER CIRCLE LINE - with the SXSW JURY PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING VISUAL ACHIEVEMENT.

And producer SCOTT MITSUI was among his co-producers (MYLES BENDER and MARK WOOLLEN - also the director) who took home the SXSW GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY for their film JAM, which chronicles the lives of former "roller derby" superstars and the young man who is trying to revive the sport and the stardom of these infamous athletes.

All in all, SXSW is fast becoming a very important film festival in the United States for independent films. For future filimmakers with projects, make sure to put this fest on your list.