AsianAmericanFilm.com

From the official press release:

Modern and sexy, comedic audience pleaser is coming to New York!

THE PEOPLE I'VE SLEPT WITH

Theatrical kicks-off August 13 at Clearview Chelsea followed by engagements in
Los Angeles and San Francisco

(New York, NY - July 16, 2010) People Pictures is proud to announce the New York theatrical release of The People I've Slept With, directed by Quentin Lee (Ethan Mao, Shopping with Fangs) and written by Koji Steven Sakai. The film is self-distributed by People Pictures and will open exclusively August 13, 2010 at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas in New York. Watch the official trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Wu-1lAaTw

"I am thrilled to be opening The People I've Slept With in New York at the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas. It's an indie filmmaker's dream come true," says director Quentin Lee. "With the film closing the New York International Asian American Film Festival, I believe many New Yorkers will enjoy and support the adventures of the film's heroine."

The People I've Slept With is a sexy, romantic story about Angela (Karin Anna Cheung of Better Luck Tomorrow), a young woman with a zealously active sex life, who after every sexual conquest, makes keepsake "baseball cards" of each of her male conquests. One day, Angela finds out she is pregnant and begins a quest to find the identity of the father. Together with her gay, best friend and co-worker Gabriel (Wilson Cruz of He's Just Not That Into You, My So-Called Life), the two go on a comical and raunchy hunt through her past hook-ups and dates to find her "baby daddy." But as Angela peels back the layers of her frisky past, she begins to realize that the answers she is looking for, reveal themselves in surprising ways.

Featuring a sparkling and daring performance by Karin Anna Cheung (Better Luck Tommorow),
The People I've Slept With co-stars Archie Kao (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Lynn Chen (Lakeview Terrace, Saving Face) and screen legend James Shigeta (Flower Drum Song, The Crimson Kimono). The film has found strong support with sold out festival screenings including Hawaii International Film Festival, San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Festival, Outfest Fusion, along with being selected as the official Closing Night Presentation of the upcoming 2010 New York Asian American Film Festival on July 21. The film is set to open theatrically in Los Angeles at Laemmles Sunset 5, August 27 and San Francisco at the VIZ CINEMAS, September 3.

THE PEOPLE I SLEPT WITH
Directed by Quentin Lee, written by Koji Steven Sakai
Exclusive Theatrical Engagement begins August 13, 2010
Clearview Chelsea Cinemas
260 West 23rd Street, New York, NY
Advance tickets at: http://www.clearviewcinemas.com/cgi-bin/locations.cgi?id=034&flag=diplay_theatre

Visit the official website: www.thepeopleivesleptwith.com

Don't miss tonight's FREE Works in Progress screening at the Asian American International Film Festival in NYC, moderated by AsianAmericanFilm.com editor Greg Pak. See below for the full scoop:

Works-in-Progress
Mon 7.19 | 7:00p
CUNY AAARI (25 w 43rd 18th floor)

Award-winning filmmaker Greg Pak (Robot Stories, AAIFF03; Mister Green, AAIFF10) returns to the AAIFF's annual Work-in-Progress Workshop. Pak will guide filmmakers through the process of molding an unfinished work into its final cut. Featured works include "Maria the Korean Bride" by Maria Yoon and "Love Arranged" by Soniya Kirpalani. These two films explore questions of marriage from intriguingly different angles. This event is organized as part of the Media Coalition for Artists of Color Networking Salon. This workshop is free. RSVPs should be made to info@asiancinevision.org.

"Maria the Korean Bride" chronicles one Asian-American woman's quest to marry in all fifty states in an effort to explore contemporary American martial customs in the context of her traditional Asian upbringing. For more: www.mariathekoreanbride.com

"Love Arranged" follows two educated, urbane Indian women who are actually actively seeking out "arranged matches," despite having other options. For more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0xORXgjLJg

All you have to do is follow aafilm on Twitter. Then send a tweet asking for tickets to one of the following shorts programs: "It's a Little Bit Funny," "Back to the Future," or "Untold Stories." Click here for more about the programs.

Then we'll send you a direct message back via Twitter to seal the deal and you'll be off to the movies!

Please note you must be 18 years or older.

Don't wait -- go to http://twitter.com/aafilm now and make your request!

AsianAmericanFilm.com is proud to announce that it is serving as community co-sponsor for four programs of the Asian American International Film Festival, which begins this Thursday in New York City. See below for information about the four programs, and check out AsianAmericanFilm.com on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/aafilm ) for information on how to win tickets to the shorts programs!

For more about the Asian American International Film Festival, visit http://www.aaiff.org/2010/

The programs co-sponsored by AsianAmericanFilm.com include:

It's a Little Bit Funny...
Friday, July 16, 6:45 pm, Quad Cinema
...the films included in this one of a kind collection of shorts. Take a whirlwind journey into these unexpectedly humorous takes on life, from a Tarantino-esque New York revenge story to the surprising work of an undercover cop in sunny San Francisco. A hop, skip and a flight away lies the trivial suburbs of the Hawaiian Islands where the term "Forbidden Fruit" takes on a whole new meaning. Prepare to LOL during this lighthearted program. We dare you to stay in your seat when you'll want to ROFL.
Kilo, dir. Phil Lorin and Kiel Murray
Father Sister, dir. Soyeon Kim
Lychee Thieves, dir. Kathleen Man
Empire Corner, dir. JP Chan
Wu is Dead, dir. Rich Wong
http://www.aaiff.org/2010/shorts/its-a-little-bit-funny

Back to the Future
Friday, July 16, 9 pm, Quad Cinema
Brace yourself for the ultimate travel experience through time. This series of short films dabbles with the idea of how time shapes the course of our lives. The ambitious filmmakers included in this program show us that time is a force that cannot be taken for granted. While Fish In Barrel pushes the visual and narrative boundaries, with beautiful, extreme slow motion camera work, Memento Mori puts an unexpected twist on the linear narrative in Memento Mori.
Fish in Barrel, dir. Randall Okida
Boond, dir. Abhishek Pathak
Once More, dir. Hiroo Takaoka
Mr. Green, dir. Greg Pak
Memento Mori, dir. Yohko Shiraishi
Transparent Movement, dir. Soyeon Kim
http://www.aaiff.org/2010/shorts/back-to-the-future

Untold Stories
Sunday, July 18, 6:30 pm, Quad Cinema
In this collection of documentaries, a unique and diverse ensemble of stories bring us to all corners of the world. From a bookstore in Bangalore to a small village in Cambodia, a quiet wheat farm in rural China to a hair salon in Queens, New York, or going back in time to reconsider the Korean war, these insightful films demonstrate that no matter the place, there is always is a story worth recounting and a perspective worth considering.
Memory of Forgotten War, dir. Deann Borshay Liem and Ramsay Liem
Born Sweet, dir. Cynthia Wade
Mr. Shanbag's Shop, dir. Asha Ghosh
Turn of the Harvest, dir. Tani Ikeda
Fine Threads, dir. Adele Pham
http://www.aaiff.org/2010/films/untold-stories

Work-in-Progress screening
Monday, July 19, 7 pm
Cuny AAARI
Award-winning filmmaker Greg Pak (Robot Stories (AAIFF'05), Mister Green (AAIFF10)) is back to lead our annual Work-in-Progress Workshop which will guide filmmakers through the process of molding an unfinished work into its final cut. This event is organized as part of the Media Coalition for Artists of Color Networking Salon.
http://www.aaiff.org/2010/workshop/work-in-progress

The San Diego Asian Film Foundation wants YOU to join their REEL IN THE VOTE campaign, to increase voting among Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs). All you have to do is come up with a creative, 30-second video that helps encourage APIs to go to the polls in November. This contest is NON-PARTISAN and offers $2,000+ in prizes for the top three entries, plus Travel and Lodging expenses to 11th San Diego Asian Film Festival in October. Deadline is August 31st

For more info on Reel in the Vote at www.sdaff.org or feel free to contact us at 858.565.1264 | Info@sdaff.org

Sample PSA:

Hello Film Family!

We wanted to send a friendly reminder that the final deadline for submissions is quickly approaching for this years 11th San Diego Asian Film Festival. If a filmmaker still wants be considered for this year's fest, the last day to get it in by is next Friday, June 11.

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 October 21-28, 2010.

For more information about Call For Entries and to Submit please visit www.sdaff.org or contact us at 858.575.1264 | Info@sdaff.org

Thanks!

-San Diego Asian Film Foundation

The final deadline for the Reel Asian Film Festival in Toronto is June 1.

Submit today!

In an effort to foster and support an online community of filmmakers using modern social media tools, film director Justin Lin (BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, FAST & FURIOUS, upcoming HIGHLANDER) and YouoffendmeYouoffendmyfamily.com (YOMYOMF.COM), one of the fastest growing arts and culture blogs, has launched a new online Film Initiative called INTERPRETATIONS.

INTERPRETATIONS is a new initiative to encourage aspiring filmmakers to develop their own original and unique voice and projects. All participants will be asked to use the same four line script, but can "interpret" it any way they wish on film.

"Marlon Brando once remarked that the only way the Academy Awards® would be a true barometer of who was truly best was if every actor tackled the same role and would be judged on how they interpreted that part." says Justin Lin, YOMYOMF.com founder.
"This exercise will embody that spirit so that a 14-year-old suburban kid from New Jersey or a 70-year-old aspiring filmmaker from Texas would both have an equal opportunity of creating something memorable."

"The script is intended to be broad and fluid enough so that one director could craft a comedy from it, another a stylish music video, another an action film, another an avant-garde work of animation, and so on," says Elaine Chin of YOMYOMF.com, and formerly an executive at HBO and Fox.

YOMYOMF.com's mandate for this Initiative is to create an environment to foster a shared experience. Instead of the usual one way street process that similar online video competitions follow between entrant and judge, INTERPRETATIONS will be community-oriented: employing social media to contextualize the films, providing immediate feedback from our jury of prominent industry professionals, as well as developing ongoing conversations so all participants can become stakeholders in the Interpretations Initiative.

As part of launch, YOMYOMF.com has commissioned eight established filmmakers to produce their own Interpretation short films to serve as examples of how the script can be interpreted. Some of these filmmakers include actor Danny Pudi (NBC's COMMUNITY), Spencer Nakasako (Emmy-Award winning dirctor of REFUGEE) and Iris Yamashita (Academy Award® nominated screenwriter for Clint Eastwood's LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA).

INTERPRETATIONS Timeline & Website
Entrants can begin uploading their films starting May 15 and entries will be accepted until September 1st, 2010. The winners will be announced at the 11th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (October 21 - 28, 2010). The Interpretations Film Initiative is hosted at www.interpretationsfilm.com, where the script can be downloaded and the commissioned shorts can be viewed.

About YOMYOMF.com
Spearheaded by filmmaker Justin Lin, whose credits range from independent films like MTV/Paramount Pictures' BETTER LUCK TOMORROW (which was the first film MTV ever acquired and boasted the highest per screen average in the company's history) to major studio films like Universal's FAST & FURIOUS (the studio's highest grossing film for 2009 as well as the biggest April opening in history), the YOMYOMF team--a group of friends and peers in the arts and entertainment industry--launched the blog in the summer of 2009 as a natural outgrowth of their "off-the-record" conversations regarding issues and experiences (within the film industry and beyond) that entertain, provoke and move them. Visit them at www.youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com or www.yomyomf.com.

Toyota is the title sponsor for INTERPRETATIONS. Additional sponsors include Audrey Magazine, FOX Studios, KoreAm Magazine, Universal Pictures and the Writers Guild of America, West.

APA FIRST WEEKEND FILM CLUB NEWSLETTER

May 14, 2010
Print this out - it could get long!
CELEBRATE ASIAN AMERICAN AND ASIAN INTERNATIONALCINEMA!

We apologize if you got this more than once. We know we are on so many different lists.

Please pass this information on to other people who are interested in Asian American and Asian international cinema. We try very hard to keep you always updated as to films that are popping up in your area. Please note that you are a part of over 12,000 people who are on this list nationwide and it is published on www.asianamericanfilm.com!

Note: To subscribe - send an email that says "please subscribe" to apafirstweekend@aol.com

For those of you who are first timers here, the mission of this email newsletter blast to keep everyone aware of Asian American and Asian international films that will be coming out so that we can go out and support them.

First weekend box office receipts are very important to Hollywood and to our films because these reports will make or break a film. If the films does well on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the "first" weekend it comes out, theater owners and distributors will make their decisions on Monday mornings about a film's life.

So, we encourage each and every one of you to go out there and support our Asian American and Asian international filmmakers. It is at the box office where we can show our strength and our power for our films and and filmmakers. Even if you don't have the time to sit through the film on the first weekend - go to the theater and purchase a ticket so that we can show box office $$$ numbers. It is extremely important.

At the end of the day.. the color in Hollywood is GREEN! Show up and vote for yourself at the box office!

IN THIS ISSUE:
With the ending of one of the most successful LA ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVALS, the reactions and the films gave us new inspiration that our Asian American filmmakers are continuing to make films out there and tell our stories.

1. TOM HUANG OPENS HIS INDIE FILM "WHY AM I DOING THIS" IN LOS ANGELES MAY 14
2. THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD CONTINUES IN NEW YORK, LA, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE AND OPENS SAN DIEGO, SALT LAKE CITY, ATLANTA, AND WASHINGTON DC
3. PRINCESS KAIULANI OPENS MAY 14 NATIONWIDE
4. LA ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL 2010 CLOSES ON A HIGH NOTE!
5. MAKE YOUR OWN SHORT FILM AND ENTER "INTERPRETATIONS" AT YOMYOMF.COM
6. CHECK IT OUT NOW -

****************************************************************************
1. TOM HUANG OPENS HIS INDIE FILM "WHY AM I DOING THIS" IN LOS ANGELES MAY 14
Congratulations to filmmaker/writer/actor TOM HUANG as he opens his latest feature WHY AM I DOING THIS on Friday, May 14 at the Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills. Huang's comedy drama film highlights the obstacles actors of color face in a not so welcoming Hollywood. HUANG made the memorable film THE FRESHMAN about 4 years ago. It's nice to see him back. Can't wait to see what he's doing next. for more info - www.laemmle.com

2. THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD CONTINUES IN NEW YORK, LA, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE AND OPENS SAN DIEGO, SALT LAKE CITY, ATLANTA, AND WASHINGTON DC
Crazy, zany and visually stunning KIMCHEE WESTERN "THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD" continues its trek across the US and this week opening in San Diego, Salt Lake City, Atlanta and Washington DC. FUN FUN FUN movie that takes you for a roller coaster ride. Woo hoo for KIM JEE WOON. Also ON DEMAND through IFC FILMS ON DEMAND - check your local cable listings.

3. PRINCESS KAIULANI OPENS MAY 14 NATIONWIDE

Title: PRINCESS KAIULANI

Distributor: Roadside Attractions

Los Angeles Release Date: May 14, 2010 at Landmark's Regent Theatre, Westwood; Laemmle's Music Hall 3, Beverly Hills; Laemmle's Playhouse 7, Pasadena; Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex, Santa Monica; Edwards Westpark 8, Irvine
May 21, 2010 at Laemmle's Town Center 5, Encino

New York Release Date: May 14, 2010

Synopsis:
Set against the dramatic island backdrop of Hawai'i and based on the inspiring true story, Princess Kaiulani is a breathtaking romance about an unlikely heroine and her unwavering fight to defend the independence of her people.

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG (For Some Violence and Thematic material, and for brief language, sensuality and smoking)

Running Time: 100 minutes

Language: English

Writer/Director: Marc Forby

Producers: Marc Forby, Nigel Thomas, Ricardo S. Galindez, Roy J. Tjioe, Lauri Apelian

Cast: Q'orianka Kilcher, Barry Pepper, Shaun Evans, Jimmy Yull, Julian Glover, Tamzin Merchant, Will Patton

Awards/Festivals:
-Hawaii International Film Festival, WINNER - Audience Award (shared)

4. LA ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL 2010 CLOSES ON A HIGH NOTE!
The 2010 LA ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FSTIVAL presented by Visual Communications ended its 10 day run with a sold out house for the Korean comedy - THE ACTRESSES. All in all, it was one of the most successful fests in the 26 year history of the event. Drama comedy THE TAQWACORES won 4 awards incling Audience Award, Best Director , Best Ensemble Acting Awards and the Grand Jury Prize! While LAST TRAIN HOME by LIXIN FAN won the Grand Jury Prize and Best Cinematography for documentary feature film. Check out the info on www.vconline.org/festival Highlights included KTOWN COWBOYS, AJUMMA: ARE YOU CRAZY; THE PEOPLE I SLEPT WITH; RASPBERRY MAGIC; MAO'S LAST DANCER; RED AND WHITE; CHILDREN METAL DIVERS; BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS; CLASH and AU REVOIR TAIPEI. A great time was had by all!

5. MAKE YOUR OWN SHORT FILM AND ENTER INTERPRETATIONS ON YOMYOMF.COM
DIRECTOR JUSTIN LIN (FAST & FURIOUS) AND YOMYOMF.COM LAUNCH "INTERPRETATIONS"
AN INNOVATIVE FILM INITIATIVE TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF CONTENT MAKERS AND THE HOLLYWOOD INDUSTRY
CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR INTERPRETATIONS OPEN FROM MAY 15-SEPT 1

In an effort to foster and support an online community of filmmakers using modern social media tools, film director Justin Lin (BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, FAST & FURIOUS, upcoming HIGHLANDER) and YouoffendmeYouoffendmyfamily.com (YOMYOMF.COM), one of the fastest growing arts and culture blogs, has launched a new online Film Initiative called INTERPRETATIONS.

INTERPRETATIONS is a new initiative to encourage aspiring filmmakers to develop their own original and unique voice and projects. All participants will be asked to use the same four line script, but can "interpret" it any way they wish on film.

"Marlon Brando once remarked that the only way the Academy Awards® would be a true barometer of who was truly best was if every actor tackled the same role and would be judged on how they interpreted that part." says Justin Lin, YOMYOMF.com founder. "This exercise will embody that spirit so that a 14-year-old suburban kid from New Jersey or a 70-year-old aspiring filmmaker from Texas would both have an equal opportunity of creating something memorable."

"The script is intended to be broad and fluid enough so that one director could craft a comedy from it, another a stylish music video, another an action film, another an avant-garde work of animation, and so on," says Elaine Chin of YOMYOMF.com, and formerly an executive at HBO and Fox.

YOMYOMF.com's mandate for this Initiative is to create an environment to foster a shared experience. Instead of the usual one way street process that similar online video competitions follow between entrant and judge, INTERPRETATIONS will be community-oriented: employing social media to contextualize the films, providing immediate feedback from our jury of prominent industry professionals, as well as developing ongoing conversations so all participants can become stakeholders in the Interpretations Initiative.

As part of launch, YOMYOMF.com has commissioned eight established filmmakers to produce their own Interpretation short films to serve as examples of how the script can be interpreted. Some of these filmmakers include actor Danny Pudi (NBC's COMMUNITY), Spencer Nakasako (Emmy-Award winning dirctor of REFUGEE) and Iris Yamashita (Academy Award® nominated screenwriter for Clint Eastwood's LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA).

INTERPRETATIONS Timeline & Website
Entrants can begin uploading their films starting May 15 and entries will be accepted until September 1st, 2010. The winners will be announced at the 11th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (October 21 - 28, 2010). The Interpretations Film Initiative is hosted at www.interpretationsfilm.com, where the script can be downloaded and the commissioned shorts can be viewed.

About YOMYOMF.com
Spearheaded by filmmaker Justin Lin, whose credits range from independent films like MTV/Paramount Pictures' BETTER LUCK TOMORROW (which was the first film MTV ever acquired and boasted the highest per screen average in the company's history) to major studio films like Universal's FAST & FURIOUS (the studio's highest grossing film for 2009 as well as the biggest April opening in history), the YOMYOMF team-a group of friends and peers in the arts and entertainment industry-launched the blog in the summer of 2009 as a natural outgrowth of their "off-the-record" conversations regarding issues and experiences (within the film industry and beyond) that entertain, provoke and move them. Visit them at www.youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com or www.yomyomf.com.

6. CHECK IT OUT NOW
OTHER FILMS TO DEFINITELY CHECK OUT THIS WEEKEND:

• JUST WRIGHT - A film by Sanaa Harim starring QUEEN LATIFAH, COMMON, and PAULA PATTON and a host of NBA players
Pleasantly surprising romantic comedy where every one is human. And finally, no stereotypical performances by Latifah or Common - just some good fun and a film that will catch you by surprise. There's enough in this for both male and female audiences. And this could be COMMON's first break as a "romantic lead." No more thug or police man roles. It makes one have hope that perhaps one day we could have an all Asian American good romantic comedy - written, produced, directed and starring us. Congrats to FLAVOR UNIT and to Michael Elliot for staying true. And the soundtrack is great, too.

• THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES - a film by Juan Jose Campanella - Oscar® winner best foreign language film - Argentina
The Argentina cinema is alive and well if this film is any indication. All at once suspenseful, intriguing and a love story - you won't be disappointed. Beautifully shot. It's not wonder it won the Oscar this year! Hay!

• MOTHER AND CHILD - A FILM BY RODRIGO GARCIA
Amazing film with an amazing cast! What else can we say? If you are looking for a film that is an alternative to the Robin Hoods or Iron Man genre - this would fit the bill. In fact any of these films JUST WRIGHT and SECRET would be great choices.

• THE OATH - A FILM BY LAURA POITRAS
Only in New York til next Friday, this documentary will have you on your toes and you will have to talk with someone about the film after. Oscar nominated filmmaker Laura Poitras gets incredible access into the lives of a OSAMA BIN LADEN's former bodyguard and his brother-in-law BIN LADEN's driver. Big hit at Sundance and the festival circuit. Amazing film.

• THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS
Ellsberg is a hero to many journalists and this Oscar nominated film will tell you why. Worth seeing and it's playing in many different cities - check your local listings!

That's it! Spread the word and see a film!

Peace and one love,

APA FIRST WEEKEND FILM CLUB

Tom Huang's feature film "Why Am I Doing This?" opens in Los Angeles on May 14 at Laemmle's Music Hall 3 Theatre. The film stars Lynn Chen, Sheetal Sheth, Tamlyn Tomita, Dion Basco, and many other Asian American stars. Here's a blurb from Huang about the film:

The film is a drama-comedy about two buddies, one Asian-American, one African-American, trying to make it in Hollywood but failing, as well as
dealing with relationships, crazy family and paying rent. We've had a strong audience response at film festivals across the country, and have been fortunate enough win a few awards, including two Best Feature Film awards from the Philadelphia Asia-Am Film Festival and the Houston Comedy Film Festival as well as a Director's New Vision Award from the Cinequest Film Fest. If you're curious, you can see a trailer for the film at our website at www.whyamidoingthis.net.

Kim Jee-Woon's acclaimed THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD continues to make its way across the nation opening this week on May 14 in DC, San Diego, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City coming straight out of IFC FILMS!

Currently playing in LA, New York, Seattle, Berkeley and Philly, this film takes you on a ride you won't forget. Visually stunning and cleverly written, it's loads of fun.

You've heard of the SPAGHETTI WESTERN? This is the first KIM CHEE Western and who else but Kim Jee-Woon to pull this off along with hot actors LEE BYUNG-HUN, SONG KANG-HO and JUNG WOO-SUNG?

SYNOPSIS

Set in the 1930s Manchurian desert, where lawlessness rules and ethnic groups clash, three Korean men fatefully meet each other on a train. The Good, Do-won (JUNG Woo-sung) is a bounty hunter who tracks down criminals with rewards on their heads. The Bad, Chang-yi (LEE Byung-hun) is the leader of a group of bandits and can't stand to be second best. The Weird, Tae-goo (SONG Kang-ho) is a train robber with nine lives.

The three strangers engage in a chase across Manchuria to take possession of a map Tae-goo discovers while robbing the train. Also on the hunt for the mysterious map, are the Japanese army and Asian bandits. In this unpredictable, escalating battle for the map, who will stand in the end as the winner?

Never be sure who's good, bad or weird.

Hello To All of Our Filmmaker Friends and Family,

Just a friendly reminder that the Early Deadline for the San Diego Asian Film Festival's 2010 Call For Entries is THIS FRIDAY, April 30. We still have our late deadline which will be June 11, so feel free to submit after. However, we'd love to save you a little bit of the entry fee by getting it in early (it increases after the early deadline)

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.

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.

Please contact us at 858.565.1264 or Info@sdaff.org with any questions. Thanks!

The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival has announced the nominees for its awards in the feature film, documentary film, and short film categories.

Click here to view the lists.

The LAAPFF runs from April 29 to May 8. Click here for the official website.

From the official announcement:

The Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) is Canada's oldest festival dedicated to exhibiting films and videos by North American artists of Asian heritage. It is committed to supporting both emerging talent and established filmmakers. Visiting artists have included Justin Lin, Jessica Yu, Tze Chun, Quentin Lee and Michael Kang, as well as BC filmmakers, Julia Kwan, Mina Shun, Nilesh Patel and Jeff Chiba Stearns.

VAFF invites submissions for its 14th annual festival, November 4-7, 2010. Open Call begins March 15 and early bird deadline is April 30th; final closing deadline is May 31st (postmarked - no exceptions).

All films in the Open Call must include a North American Asian in a key creative role (writer, director, producer). Earlybird entry fee: $10 (CDN or US); Regular entry fee: $20 (CDN or US). Entry fee is non-refundable.

Genres for consideration include narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental. Exhibition formats accepted are 35mm, Beta SP (NTSC), HD and DigiBeta (NTSC) - and preview screeners may be submitted as DVDs. No materials or screeners will be returned.

Awards include a juried award for Best Canadian Short. Programming includes Q & A sessions, panel discussions, a Filmmakers' Luncheon, and special gala events.

All screenings take place at Cinemark Tinseltown, a multiplex theatre within the city's Chinatown and Downtown districts. For more information and submission guidelines, visit www.vaff.org or email programming@vaff.org.

VAFF is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for independent North American Asian filmmakers to showcase their work to both Asian and non-Asian audiences. The society endeavours to represent the often ignored North American Asians caught between two cultures. It provides a cultural bridge between the Asian and non-Asian communities as well as the Asian communities themselves.

Greg Pak's short film "Super Power Blues" is now viewable online at Youtube.

The film stars Sakura Sugihara and Brian Nishii in the story of a superheroine who constantly has to save the world when all she really wants to do is sleep with her boyfriend. It premiered in June 2005 on WNET's Reel New York shorts anthology show and played around the country at festivals like Cinequest, the Phoenix Comicon Film Festival, the DC APA Film Festival, and the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.

View the embedded video below or Click here for a bigger version.

The 2010 DisOrient Asian American Film Festival is coming soon to Eugene, Oregon.

The festival will open on April 23 with Patrick Epino's "Mr. Sadman" and close on April 25 with H.P. Mendoza's "Fruit Fly."

Check out the official website for more.

April 7, 2010 - LOS ANGELES Visual Communications (VC), the nation's premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, announced its program of 170 outstanding films for the upcoming 2010 edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) beginning April 29 - May 8, 2010 at the Director's Guild of America (DGA), Laemmle's Sunset 5 Theatres, Downtown Independent Theatre, The Tateuchi Democracy Forum @ the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, and the Aratani/Japan America Theatre.

As Southern California's largest and most prestigious film festival of its kind, the LAAPFF launches the celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month through this year's slate of over 170 films and videos from both Asian Pacific American and Asian international directors from 20 countries. Over the past 26 years, the Fest has presented over 3200 films and videos by Asian American and Asian international artists since 1983. This year, 36 feature films and 134 shorts and videos will be showcased throughout the 10-day fest.

Berlin Film Festival hit film AU REVOIR TAIPEI from LAAPFF alum/USC grad filmmaker Arvin Chen will open the festival on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at the DGA at 7PM with the filmmaker and cast scheduled to attend the Los Angeles premiere. The romantic comedy executive produced by German film director Wim Wenders and produced by LAAPFF alum In-Ah Lee (The Grace Lee Project, American Zombie) was an audience fave in Berlin.

"We are excited to present the Los Angeles premiere screening of AU REVOIR TAIPEI as our Opening Night film," states Abraham Ferrer, Exhibitions Director at VC and Film Festival Co-Director. "We have been following director Chen's career since we produced his USC thesis film MEI at the 2007 LAAPFF. We are honored to have him return and present his latest effort as his Los Angeles premiere."

Another LAAPFF alum, filmmaker Quentin Lee (Drift, Ethan Mao, Shopping for Fangs) brings his hit sex comedy THE PEOPLE I'VE SLEPT WITH to the fest as the American Centerpiece film on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the DGA at 7PM with director Lee, screenwriter Koji Sakai and film's stars Karin Anna Cheung (Better Luck Tomorrow), Archie Kao (CSI, Desperate Housewives), and Wilson Cruz (He's Just Not That Into You, My So Called Life, Noah's Arc) in attendance.

"Quentin Lee is one of our VC family members and is perfect example of what the organization does for Asian American filmmakers," says David Magdael, Festival Co-Director. "Since his arrival to VC in 1991, he has participated with us in utilizing the training, resources, networking and fiscal sponsorships that we provide. We have seen his career grow throughout the years, and we are extremely proud. With this film, one can see how Lee has become one of our strongest filmmakers. And now tackling comedy, he continues to evolve."

Le Thanh Son's action packed film CLASH - Vietnam's current box office smash is slated for the LAAPFF International Centerpiece premiering on Sunday, May 2 at 7PM at the DGA. CLASH reunites the team behind the LAAPFF 2007 closing night film The Rebel and stars Johnny Tri Nguyen and Veronica Ngo in this hard-hitting thriller. Incorporating stylish action sequences and stunning cinematography, the film continues to propel the current Viet Wave Cinema. Cast members will join Director Le Thanh Son at the LA premiere.

In a World Premiere slot, the 2010 LAAPFF is proud to present THE MIKADO PROJECT from Festival alum Chil Kong on Saturday, May 1 at 9:30 PM at the DGA. The comedy centers on an Asian American theater troupe - The Angry Buddha Theater Ensemble - as they try to mount the popular theater piece after they lose their leading male star. Director Kong and his all-star cast of actors including Tamlyn Tomita, Erin Quill, David McInnis, Allen Liu and Ryan Yu and others are slated to attend the gala event.

This year, the LAAPFF will present the North American premiere of the hit South Korean comedy THE ACTRESSES from director E. J-yong in the Special Sneak Preview slot on Saturday, May 8 at 7PM at the Downtown Independent Theater. Shot as a documentary, this comedy send-up is an inside look at the dramatics of six of the most famous actresses in Korean film who were gathered together by Vogue Korea for a photo shoot on Christmas Eve 2008. The multi-generational cast played themselves and worked without a script creating their dialogue, while playing up the varied facets of their respective private and public personas. With THE ACTRESSES, it's always about the drama on and off screen for stars Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Mi-sook, Choi Ji-woo, Ko Hyun-jung, Kim Min-hee and Kim Ok-vin.

Closing out this year's fest is the Southern California premiere of the current Hong Kong smash BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS from director Teddy Chen and featuring an all star cast including Tony Leung, Simon Yam, Donnie Yen and kickboxer/MMA fighter Cung Le. This blockbuster action film will be presented Thursday, May 6 at 7PM at the Aratani Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles with actor Cung Le at the gala.

"We are excited about BODYGUARDS AND ASSASINS as our closing night film," states Shinae Yoon, VC Executive Director. "It's been a while since our festival has closed with such a Hong Kong blockbuster film. It's a great way to cap off our celebration."

Something special this year at 2010 LAAPFF will be the celebration of Asian American icon Bruce Lee's 70th birthday. Together with Bruce Lee Enterprises, the festival will highlight the life of this legend with special screenings including a free outdoor screening of the classic THE CHINESE CONNECTION on April 30 at Madang the Courtyard in Korea Town at Western and Wilshire Blvd. and a special screening ENTER THE DRAGON on May 1 at Noon at the Laemmle's Sunset 5 and an outdoor free screening In addition, two special panel discussions are scheduled as follows:

• May 1 - 1:30 PM following ENTER THE DRAGON screening with filmmakers Reginald Hudlin and Brett Ratner, president of Bruce Lee Enterprises Shannon Lee, actor/martial artist Bob Wall and others to be announced. Guests will discuss the impact of Bruce Lee on world wide pop culture.

• May 2 - 4:00 PM at the DGA Atrium - a special panel with the Lee Family and friends including wife Linda Lee, daughter Shannon Lee, God-daughter/actress Diana Lee Inosanto and others to be announced. The guests will discuss Bruce Lee as the man, the father, the husband, and the friend.

"Bruce Lee was not only an icon for many of us as Asian Americans, but for everyone from around the world," says Magdael. "This special celebration of his life and the discussion around him as a person, a friend, a family man and a martial artist and actor will definitely be moving."

This year marks a strong year for non-fiction works at the LAAPFF with submissions way up than other years. The 2010 documentary line-up includes award winners and premieres and a special spotlight on Academy Award® winner/LAAPFF alum Freida Lee Mock. Some of the films are:

• LAST TRAIN HOME - Lixin Fan
• ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE - Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath
• ONE VOICE - Lisette Marie Flanary
• STATE OF ALOHA - Anne Misawa
• A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILES - S. Leo Chiang
• IN THE MATTER OF CHA JUNG HEE - Deann Borshay Liem
• MAMACHAS DEL RING - Betty M. Park
• BEIJING TAXI - Miao Wang
• AOKI - Ben Wang and Mike Chang
• MACHO LIKE ME - Helie Lee
• MY TEHRAN FOR SALE - Granaz Moussavi
• LT. WATADA - Freida Lee Mock
• SING! CHINA - Freida Lee Mock

One of the ongoing objectives of the LAAPFF is to support and present the best of Asian American filmmakers. This year, these films include many filmmakers who are based in the US, but have gone to Asia to film, as well as those here at home:
• AU REVOIR TAIPEI - Arvin Chen
• GOD IS D_AD - Abraham L. Lim
• KTOWN COWBOYS- Daniel Park
• THE MIKADO PROJECT - Chil Kong
• RASPBERRY MAGIC - Leena Pendharkar
• SF STORIES - Raul Jocson
• STRANGERS - Michael Aki
• THE TAQWACORES - Eyad Zahra
• THE PEOPLE I'VE SLEPT WITH - Quentin Lee
• CLASH - Le Thanh Son
• THE MOUNTAIN THIEF - Gerry Balasta

For ticket and program information, a complete listing of sponsors and partners, and to purchase tickets, log on to www.vconline.org/festival or contact Visual Communications at (213) 680-4462 x68. Tickets are on sale now online.

The Festival is proud to be partnering with Toyota as the Official Vehicle Sponsor. Toyota once again will bring their cutting edge style to the Festival in their car displays. In addition, Toyota is making possible the music video showcase - Cinema Musica! - and rooftop after-party and hosting the free outdoor screening of THE CHINESE CONNECTION.

The Festival is also proud to partner with the Directors Guild of America as the main screening venue during the Festival's Opening Weekend. This state of the art theater is where the Festival will screen its Opening Night Film as well as both Centerpiece Films.

OFFICIAL VEHICLE SPONSOR - Toyota; PREMIERE - Directors Guild of America; GOLD - Wells Fargo; Time Warner Cable; OFFICIAL BEER SPONSOR - Stella Artois; OFFICIAL HOTEL SPONSOR - Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown; SILVER - Sony Pictures Entertainment; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Metro; Minika Ko Marketing; BRONZE - Bali Film Center; Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort; Fox Entertainment Group; Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan); SAG Indie; Screen Actors Guild; Hollywood & Highland Center; STAR - NBC Universal; CBS; Motion Picture Editors Guild; Union Bank; Verizon Wireless; Writers Guild of America, West; Flash Cuts; Eastman Kodak Company; GOVERNMENT SUPPORT - American Recovery & Reinvestment Act; National Endowment for the Arts; Los Angeles County Arts Commission; City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; VENUE SPONSORS - Directors Guild of America; Japanese American Cultural & Community Center; Japanese American National Museum; Downtown Independent; Laemmle's Sunset 5; Madang the Courtyard; FESTIVAL AWARDS SPONSORS - Movie Magic; Write Brothers, Inc.; RECEPTION SPONSORS - Kyochon Chicken; Jinro; Madang the Courtyard; Far Bar | Chop Suey; Creative Floral Designs; LA18 KSCI-TV; Kirin; MEDIA SPONSORS - 89.3 KPCC; LA18 KSCI-TV; LA Weekly; angryasianman.com; Giant Robot

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival presented by Visual Communications is the Southland's premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific cinema. Since 1983, the Film Festival has presented over 3200 films and videos by Asian international and Asian American artists, and additionally features seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards.

ABOUT VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
Visual Communications (VC), the nation's premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, was established in 1970. The organization has established a lengthy track record of pioneering achievements in producing, presenting, and preserving more honest and accurate representations of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in America. Visual Communications is also recognized as an incubator of emerging Asian Pacific American cinematic talent. The organization's works have been exhibited in numerous venues and broadcast outlets around the world. The mission of Visual Communications is to promote intercultural understanding through the creation, presentation, preservation and support of media works by and about Asian Pacific Americans.

Hello Filmmakers! We wanted to send a friendly reminder that the early deadline for the San Diego Asian Film Festival is quickly approaching!

SDAFF will celebrate its 11th annual film festival season, Oct 21-28, 2010, 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.

•Early Deadline: April 30, 2009

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. 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.

Find application and more info: www.sdaff.org

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 | www.twitter.com/sdaff | www.facebook.com/SDAsianFilm
www.youtube.com/SanDiegoAsianFilm

"The Mikado Project" premieres on May 1 at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Click here to buy your tickets now.

In the meantime, check out the hilarious trailer:

(h/t Angry Asian Man)