HIFF is hosting a free screening of Director Bao Nguyen’s ESPN 30 for 30 documentary BE WATER, followed by an after-film panel featuring Director Nguyen, Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee, Angry Asian Man founder and culture writer Phil Yu, Chi-hui Yang of the Ford Foundation, Momofuku founder and ‘Ugly Delicious’ host Dave Chang, and Kindred Ventures’ Founder Steve Jang on Friday, November 27 to celebrate Bruce Lee’s 80th birthday. The panel discussion will be moderated by New York Magazine’s Chris Lee.
Presented by ESPN and storyspaces. BE WATER will be available to screen online in North America, starting at 3pm HST/5:00 p.m. PST/ 8:00 p.m. EST. Although FREE, a ticket is still required to view the film on HIFF’s streaming platform. Click here to RSVP.
BE WATER is a feature-length documentary that offers a unique glimpse into the man behind the myth, featuring interviews from celebrity friends, members of his own family, and even private letters written by Bruce Lee. BE WATER premiered at Sundance 2020 and competed in the U.S. Dramatic Feature competition. In June, it had its U.S. broadcast debut on ESPN as part of the sports broadcaster’s 30 on 30 documentary series, breaking ratings records. It is an official selection of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival in the Cannes Classics section.
Martial artist. Actor. Philosopher. Choreographer. Filmmaker. Legend. These words summarize the Asian American icon who inspired the world with his groundbreaking work before dying mysteriously and suddenly at the age of 32. Yet many often forget that he was a man who struggled against many limitations: racism, xenophobia, and even his own ego. Bruce Lee made the most of his time on Earth, reminding us all of the importance of adaptation, persistence, and ambitious in the pursuit of greatness: in short, to be water. Synopsis written by: Lee Ngo
Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) is screening Mallorie Ortega’s musical dramedy The Girl Who Left Home, an official selection of the festival, nationwide through Nov. 29. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased here.
The Girl Who Left Home (formerly Nanay Ko) is a musical dramedy film about a Filipino-American who must put her dreams aside to keep her family restaurant from eviction. The film is also an official selection of Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (Emerging Filmmaker Award) & CAAMFest FORWARD (Audience Award).
The cast features Haven Everly, Emy Coligado, Paolo Montalban, Liz Casasola, Lora Nicolas Olaes, Russwin Francisco, DonMike H. Mendoza, Toni Katano and Mitch Poulos.
The production teams includes Mallorie Ortega (Director/ Writer/Producer/Lyricist), Angelo Santos, Russwin Francisco, Emy Coligado (Producers), Dylan Thai (Executive Producer), Cicero Oca (Co-producer), Matthew Halla (Director of Photography), Lindsay Armstrong, Katie Mcclellan (Editor), Alex Winkler (Composer), Steve Greist (Lyricist) and Diana Cha, Austin Sapp (Sound).
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) and Yao King are presenting The Paper Tigers panel discussion on Sunday, October 11 at 2:30pm with Director Bao Tran, cast members Alain Uy, Ron Yuan, Matthew Page and Production Designer Wing Lee.
Production Designer Wing Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
The Paper Tigers, written and directed by Bao Tran, had it’s LA premiere at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and NYC premieres at AAIFF. The cast features Alain Uy, Ron Yuan, Mykel Shannon Jenkins, Jae Suh Park, Joziah Lagonoy, Matthew Page, Ken Quitugua and Raymond Ma.
Wing Lee, Director Bao Tran, Matthew Page, Winton Wong, Ron Yuan and Alan Uy.
Three childhood Kung Fu prodigies have grown into washed-up, middle-aged men – now one kick away from pulling their hamstrings. But when their master is murdered, they must juggle their dead-end jobs, dad duties, and overcome old grudges to avenge his death.
Mentored early on by master action director Corey Yuen, Bao Tran was instilled with an approach to action that draws primarily on story and character. Screen Anarchy has praised his short film work for its “believable characters, driven by a compelling narrative and brought to sumptuous life.” His editing credits include CHO LON, one of Southeast Asia’s highest-budgeted blockbusters, and JACKPOT, a heartfelt comedy that was selected as Vietnam’s official 2016 Oscars entry.
Produced by Michael Velasquez, Al’n Duong, Yuji Okumoto and Daniel Gildark.
Oct. 1 – 11: Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF)
Only available to watch in the tri-state area (New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut.)
Exclusive discount code “AAIFF43_P545M”.
Honor system: if watching with a group, please purchase a ‘Household Ticket’ to support the fest.
After your purchase, you will receive an email with a link to view the film. For more information and FAQ’s, please visit our How To Festival section.
Your ticket purchase to the film will automatically RSVP you to this Q&A. After buying a ticket, you will be emailed a reminder 1 hour before the event, which will be broadcast via our Facebook page and Twitch channel.
Deadline recently reported that Well Go USA Entertainment acquired the North American rights to The Paper Tigers with a slated theatrical release in Spring 2021.
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) is presenting the virtual World Premiere of Mallorie Ortega’s musical dramedy The Girl Who Left Home. Visual Communications (VC) will present the 36th Annual LAAPFF from September 24 to October 31.
In her feature directorial debut, Mallorie Ortega orchestrates a whimsical musical about a young woman on the brink of Hollywood stardom, but is pulled back into her past life and family obligations. The cast features Haven Everly, Emy Coligado, Paolo Montalban, Lora Nicolas, Liz Casasola, Russwin Francisco and Mitch Poulos.
This film is only available to viewers in Southern California (excluding San Diego County) from Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 12pm PT to Sunday, October 4, 2020 at 11:59pm PT. Tickets may be purchased during this Viewing Time. There are no advanced ticket sales. Online viewing is available to Southern California (excluding San Diego County).
Oct 1st at 4pm & 6pm: Twitter Watch Party and After Party hosted by @cinema_sala for the premiere. Watch the film at 4pm PST / 7pm EST, chat & tweet w/ @cinema_sala, then head over to the zoom After Party at 6pm PST / 9pm EST to join our cast & crew!
Oct 2nd at 3pm: Free LAAPFF Event: Watch C3: Converse w/ Mallorie Ortega, Haven Everly, Emy Coligado, & Paolo Montalban.
Oct 4th at 3pm: @filamcreative
Post Screening Q&A –
For tickets to The Girl Who Left Home at LAAPFF, click here.
CREDITS:
Director, Writer: Mallorie Ortega
Producer: Mallorie Ortega, Angelo Santos, Russwin Francisco, Emy Coligado
Director of Photography: Matthew Halla
Editor: Lindsay Armstrong, Katie Mcclellan
Composer: Alex Winkler
Lyricist: Steve Greist, Mallorie Ortega
Los Angeles, CA – May 21, 2020 – The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) Virtual Showcase, presented by Visual Communications (VC), presenters of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF), have announced added programs for the final days of inaugural showcase.
Joining the previously announced closing day presentation of AND SHE COULD BE NEXT – directed by Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia, and Executive Produced by Ava DuVernay – are sneak previews of Lynn Chen’s I WILL MAKE YOU MINE and Alice Gu’s SXSW Award Winning THE DONUT KING this weekend starting Friday May 22.
The 36th LAAPFF was slated to launch April 30th, 2020 in theaters in Los Angeles. However, when local and state health authorities advised on minimizing the number of social gatherings due to COVID-19, VC decided to postpone the physical, in-theater screening events and focus on developing an online virtual experience. The result has been a month filled with robust online discussions and screenings.
This online showcase has been a huge success highlighting Asian American Pacific Islander artists whose stories are critical at this moment in dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic and with the current wave of increasing violence and racism against Asian Americans due to the virus.
The radical reaction to the virus has thrust the Asian Pacific American community directly into the spotlight with a rise in anti-Asian American sentiment and violence. Asian Americans across Los Angeles and the U.S. have tuned in to the showcases programs and events to make the VIRTUAL SHOWCASE a resounding success up to this point
Remaining programs in LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE:
● Ahead of its national release, Lynn Chen’s moving drama I WILL MAKE YOU MINE will be available to stream through the LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE site on Friday, May 22nd from 8AM PST to 8PM PST. The film, which Chen co-stars in alongside Yea-Ming Chen, Ayako Fujitani, Goh Nakamura, and Tamlyn Tomita, is a beautiful semi-sequel to SURROGATE VALENTINE and DAYLIGHT SAVINGS.
View the film here from May 22nd at 8AM PST until 8PM PST:
he ensemble cast in Lynn Chen’s I WILL MAKE YOU MINE. Photo courtesy Gravitas Ventures.
● Winner of the Special Jury Recognition for Achievement in Documentary Storytelling at SXSW this year, Alice Gu’s THE DONUT KING follows Ted Ngoy’s rags to riches story of a refugee escaping Cambodia, arriving in America in 1975 and building an unlikely multi-million dollar empire baking America’s favorite pastry, the donut. The film will be available to stream Saturday May 23rd at 8AM PST to Sunday, May 24th at 8PM PT. On Friday, May 22nd at 6PM PST, the festival along with Cambodia Town Film Festival, will present a special Q&A (RISE & DOUGH) with Alice Gu and the Donut King himself, Ted Ngoy.
View the film here starting Saturday, May 23rd at 8AM PST to Sunday, May 24th at 8PM PST:
Join the talkback “RISE & DOUGH” on Friday, May 22nd at 6PM PST by going here:
Ted Ngoy in a scene from Alice Gu’s THE DONUT KING. Photo courtesy LAAPFF.
● Cinema Sala will present a special Q&A with Patricio Ginelsa and AJ Calomay, hosted by Maria Jamora to celebrate the retrospective screenings of LUMPIA on Saturday, May 23rd at 5PM PST. The film, about a crew of Filipino American thugs whose attempts to bully a pack of Filipino high school students is thwarted by a mysterious avenger who wields “lumpia” as his weapon of choice, is now streaming in the LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE.
Watch the special Q&A on Saturday, May 23rd at 5PM PST here:
Carlos Baon in a scene from Patricio Ginelsa’s LUMPIA. Photo courtesy LAAPFF.
● The Closing Day program on Friday, May 29th will conclude the month-long fest with the special sneak preview of Part 1 of the film AND SHE COULD BE NEXT streaming from 8AM PT to 8PM PT. At 5PM PST, filmmakers Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia along with editor Juli Vizza will discuss the making of this landmark film in detail with subjects from the film – Bushra Amiwala and Stephanie Cho – hosted by the exciting performance artist Kristina Wong.
Filmed in 2018 and through 2019, the docu-series follows candidates and organizers across the country, as women in the margins vie to preserve democracy and make it stronger. The women featured in the film include: Stacey Abrams (Georgia), Bushra Amiwala (Skokie, IL), Maria Elena Durazo (Los Angeles, CA), Veronica Escobar (El Paso, TX), Lucy McBath (Atlanta, GA), Rashida Tlaib (Detroit, MI) and Nse Ufot, Executive Director of the New Georgia Project. The series also features an entirely women of color crew.
Stacey Abrams is surrounded by supporters on election day during her 2018 gubernatorial campaign in Georgia in a scene from AND SHE COULD BE NEXT. Photo courtesy POV.
Log on for more information and how to access the films/programs here.
ABOUT VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS Visual Communications’ mission is to develop and support the voices of Asian American and Pacific Islander filmmakers and media artists who empower communities and challenge perspectives. Founded in 1970 with the understanding that media and the arts are powerful forms of storytelling, Visual Communications creates cross cultural connections between peoples and generations. The organization turns 50 in 2020. Learn more at vcmedia.org.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL In keeping with directives from the local, state, and federal health agencies, Visual Communications (VC) has rescheduled the 36th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) to a later date as they continue their commitment to the well being of our volunteers, artists, and audiences.
Presented by Visual Communications, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is the premiere showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific American and international cinema. The largest festival of its kind in Southern California, LAAPFF is also a proud Academy Award®-qualifying film festival for the Short Film Awards. For more information, please visit festival.vcmedia.org.
Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young.
Los Angeles, CA – April 21, 2020 – Visual Communications (VC), presenters of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF), announced today the LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE, a free digital showcase of films and panels to unite with audiences during this unprecedented time. The online showcase will highlight artists whose stories are critical at this moment in dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic. This first time event begins May 1st and will run through May 28 as part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
The LAAPFF was slated to launch its 36th edition on April 30th, 2020 in theaters in Los Angeles. However, when local and state health authorities advised on minimizing the number of social gatherings due to COVID-19, VC decided to postpone the physical, in-theater screening events and focus on developing an online virtual experience. With everyone at home, this will enable the landmark festival to reach a national audience, as well.
In addition, radical reaction to the virus has thrust the Asian Pacific American community directly into the spotlight with a rise in anti-Asian American sentiment and violence. Coupled with the month of May being Asian Pacific Heritage Month, the timing of this festival becomes even more important for the Asian Pacific Community and all communities across the nation.
“Visual Communications acknowledges that this virus has been racialized and has incited hateful acts towards Asian Americans,” stated Francis Cullado – Executive Director of Visual Communications. “While seeing anti-Asian sentiments that perpetuate perilous narratives, VC and the Festival will continue to be a space for expression, engagement, and empowerment. Our LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE of these films underscores our determination to stay connected during this moment of isolation. And, we hope to bridge all communities through film and discourse and hopefully, instill understanding.”
Storefront of Chinatown meat and vegetable market in a scene from ASIAN AMERICANS. Photo courtesy PBS/CAAM/WETA.
The LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE will launch May 1st with its Opening Day Film – the premiere sneak preview of Episodes 3 and 4 of the upcoming groundbreaking PBS Documentary Series ASIAN AMERICANS. Both episodes will be available from 8AM PST to 8PM PST in the LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE for personal viewing. Then at 5PM PST/8PM EST, there will be a special online Q&A with the filmmakers and special guests will take place to discuss the film and current issues. View the trailer for ASIAN AMERICANS here.
Subjects from FIRST VOTE – directed by YI CHEN – TOP (L TO R) Jennifer Ho; Kaiser Kuo and BOTTOM (L TO R) Lance Chen; Sue Googe Photo courtesy of First Vote
The LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE will also feature the festival World Premiere of FIRST VOTE on May 5. Directed by Yi Chen, this insightful film focuses on the current Asian American experience at the election polls in the United States. Through in-depth honest and revealing conversations with four Asian American voters in battleground states, the filmmaker also contemplates exercising her own right to vote in America – a first time for her. An online post Q/A discussion with director Chen and subjects from the film will take place at 5PM PST on May 5.
Festival World Premiere – Sneak Preview – Episodes 3/4 at the LA ASIAN PACIFIC VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL OPENING DAY FILM Photo Courtesy of PBS/CAAM/WNET
The complete lineup for the LAAPFF VIRTUAL SHOWCASE will be announced on Monday, April 27th. For additional details, please visit festival.vcmedia.org.
Organizer Larry Itliong, an important figure with the United Farm Workers (UFW) in California in scene from the documentary ASIAN AMERICANS premiering on May 11/12 on PBS – photo courtesy of CAAM/PBS/WNET
ABOUT VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
Visual Communications’ mission is to develop and support the voices of Asian American and Pacific Islander filmmakers and media artists who empower communities and challenge perspectives. Founded in 1970 with the understanding that media and the arts are powerful forms of storytelling, Visual Communications creates cross cultural connections between peoples and generations. The organization turns 50 in 2020. Learn more at vcmedia.org.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL
In keeping with directives from the local, state, and federal health agencies, Visual Communications (VC) has rescheduled the 36th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) to a later date as they continue their commitment to the well being of our volunteers, artists, and audiences.
Presented by Visual Communications, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is the premiere showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific American and international cinema. The largest festival of its kind in Southern California, LAAPFF is also a proud Academy Award®-qualifying film festival for the Short Film Awards. For more information, please visit festival.vcmedia.org.
Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young.
Danny Pudi checks out the goods in a scene from the film THE TIGER HUNTER – directed by Lena Khan – the Festival’s Opening Night and World Premiere. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
March 15, 2016 – LOS ANGELES Visual Communications (VC), the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, announced the Opening, Closing and Centerpiece film programs for the upcoming 32nd edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) running April 21-28, 2016. This annual film celebration will be presented across Los Angeles from Little Tokyo to Downtown Los Angeles to Koreatown and to West Hollywood featuring 140 films from over 20 countries.
VC will celebrate 32 years as Southern California’s largest and most prestigious film festival of its kind. The LAAPFF launches the pre-celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month through this year’s slate of over 130 films from both Asian Pacific American and Asian international directors from over 20 countries. For over three decades, the Festival has presented nearly 5,000 films and shorts by Asian American and Asian international artists.
Opening this year’s Festival at the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo is the World Premiere of dramatic comedy THE TIGER HUNTER from an amazing new director Lena Khan. The film centers upon Sami Malik (Danny Pudi of NBC TVs – COMMUNITY), a young South Asian man who travels to America to become an engineer in order to impress his childhood crush and live up to the legacy of his father — a legendary tiger hunter back home. When Sami’s job unexpectedly falls through and he ends up living in a tiny co-op with two oddball roommates, he must resort to constructing an elaborate charade with the misfit accomplices in hopes of convincing his sweetheart that he’s far more successful than he truly is…or perhaps ever could be. As Sami tries to pull off the farce of a lifetime, what ensues is a series of adventures involving outlandish schemes, an arch-nemesis in an absurd office environment, and a somewhat functional Dodge Charger with a character of its own. Together, although their plans may contradict each other with terrible consequences, Sami and his rag-tag group must work together while meeting the usual host of obstacles — the “usual,” that is, if back-alley brawls, trips to prison, or catastrophic LSD-related misunderstandings are just your usual, everyday fare. The film also stars Rizwan Manji, Jon Heder, Karen David, Kevin Pollak, Sam Page and Iqbal Theba.
Jackson Rathbone and Michelle Chen in a scene from PALI ROAD – A FILM BY JONATHAN LIM is the Festival Closing Night film. Photo Courtesy of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
Jonathan Lim’s powerful drama PALI ROAD starring Michelle Chen, Sung Kang, Elizabeth Sung, Tzi Ma and Jackson Rathbone will close out the eight – day film extravaganza at the Directors Guild of America on April 28, 2016. PALI ROAD centers on Lily (Michelle Chen), a Chinese doctor doing her residency in a Hawaiian hospital under Dr. Kayne (Sung Kang). She had fallen in love with schoolteacher Neil (Jackson Rathbone) — at least this is what she remembers. But after a terrible car accident, Lily wakes up to discover, in horror, a married life with Dr. Kayne, that includes a 5-year-old son she has never seen. With everyone around her denying Neil’s existence, Lily begins to question her own sanity, but memories of Neil force her to embark on a journey to retrace her past and discover the truth.
The amazing artist Tyrus Wong in his kite studio in a scene from the acclaimed documentary TYRUS – A FILM BY PAMELA TOM, the festival’s centerpiece film. Photo Courtesy of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
The LAAPFF Centerpiece offering this year is the moving and insightful documentary TYRUS on Saturday, April 23rd, from director Pamela Tom which brings the life of Chinese American painter, production illustrator, lithographer, and kite builder Tyrus Wong to the big screen. Wong is best known for his concept art for Walt Disney’s feature animated film BAMBI. His strikingly beautiful concept paintings and sketches continue to influence the work of generations of animators and production designers. TYRUS celebrates not only the beauty of his art, but reveals to a larger audience a lesser known part of the Chinese American experience — that of its artists and creators.
“We are excited and proud to present these three films as our celebrations,” states VC Executive Director Francis Cullado. “Having Lena Khan’s THE TIGER HUNTER as our opening, Jonathan Lim’s PALI ROAD as our closing night, and Pamela Tom’s TYRUS as our centerpiece film certainly highlights the amount of Asian American directorial talent out there. The big word this year in Hollywood has been ‘diversity’ and the Festival is one of the ways we address this issue at Visual Communications and for our community. For us, it’s not just about diversity – it’s about inclusivity. We will be releasing more of the Festival line up in the next week and everyone will be able to celebrate inclusion and diversity on the screen, as it should be.”
For 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. Tickets are available to the general public on Monday, March 21st.
Screening Venues:
Aratani Theatre @ Japanese American Cultural & Community Center – Little Tokyo, 244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tateuchi Democracy Forum @ Japanese American National Museum – Little Tokyo, 111 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Downtown Independent – Downtown LA (DTLA), 251 S. Main Street, (between 3rd and 2nd Streets), Los Angeles, CA 90012
CGV Cinemas – Koreatown – Mid-Wilshire, 621 Western Avenue (between 6th Street and Wilshire Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90005
The Great Company – Downtown LA (DTLA), 1917 Bay Street (between Wilson and Mateo Streets), Los Angeles, CA 90021
Directors Guild of America – West Hollywood, 7920 Sunset Blvd. (at Hayworth), West Hollywood, CA 90046
Director Jennifer Phang at a screening of Advantageous at Cinema Village in New York on June 26, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang
The 31st Film Independent Spirit Award nominations have been announced and Jennifer Phang’s critically lauded sci-fi film Advantageous, winner of a Sundance Film Festival Jury Award for Collaborative Vision, has been been nominated for the John Cassavetes Award, given to the best feature made for under $500,000.
Samantha Kim and Jacqueline Kim in Advantagous
The cast features Jacqueline Kim, Samantha Kim, Ken Jeong, James Urbaniak, Jennifer Ehle, Freya Adams, Jennifer Ikeda, Olivia Horton, Sameerah Luqmann-Harris, Rex Lee, Troi Zee, Theresa Navarro, Mercedes Griffeth, Jeanne Sakata and Matthew Kim.
Independent Spirit award nominated actress Jacqueline Kim co-wrote the script of Advantageous with Phang, and stars as Gwen, the company spokesperson for a radical technology allowing people to overcome their natural disadvantages and begin life anew in a dystopian society that favors appearances over experience. When Gwen finds herself out of a job due to the inevitable march of time and the future of her only child Jules (Samantha Kim) in crisis, Gwen ponders undergoing the procedure herself. Her compromised partnership with her former boss Fisher (James Urbaniak) threatens any means of her returning to work; while a past indiscretion with her sister’s husband (an almost unrecognizable, dramatic turn for comic actor Ken Jeong) foregrounds her estrangement from her own family. In this world, Advantageous riffs on the destructive contrast between soaring opulence vs. economic hardship, and the compromises that people like Gwen are willing to go through for that better situation.
Jacqueline Kim and James Urbaniak in Advantageous.
ADVANTAGEOUS stars Jennifer Ikeda, Matthew Kim and Ken Jeong at the Sundance Film Festival premiere on January 26, 2015 in Park City, Utah. Photo courtesy Michael Kim
Phang has developed a dual affinity for science fiction and wry commentary as her storytelling stock-in-trade. Her latest effort, Advantageous (an expansive revisit of her 2003 Festival Golden Reel Award-winning short subject) largely eschews the commentary for a incisively-observed story of a career woman, played by veteran actress Jacqueline Kim, who goes to great lengths to insure a future for her only child. Originally commissioned in 2012 as part of the groundbreaking Independent Television Service series, “Future States,” Advantageous sparingly lays on the sci-fi while amping up the interpersonal tension and drama. The result is more French New Wave (Chris Marker’s classic La Jetee comes to mind) than anything else, and demonstrates Phang’s increasing mastery of the sci-fi storytelling form — even more impressively than in her well-lauded Half-Life (2008).
Lia Chang with cast members Jeanne Sakata, Freya Adams and Director Jennifer Phang at the opening night screening of Advantageous at Cinema Village in New York on June 26, 2015.
What the critics are saying about Advantageous:
The past looks a lot like the present in Advantageous, a science-fiction fantasy in a deliberately subtle key. Manohla Dargis New York Times
As in a lot of good sci-fi, the movie is set in a particular world, but driven by the characters that inhabit it. Jesse Hassenger· A.V. Club
Advantageous presents an offbeat, intimate dystopian vision that is strongly intriguing for a while. Dennis Harvey·Variety
‘Advantageous’ is set in an almost unrecognizable New York, where unemployment and violence have amplified. Jordan Hoffman·New York Daily News
Director Jennifer Phang at a screening of Advantageous at Cinema Village in New York on June 26, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang
LAAPFF alumni Jennifer Phang received the Best Director for her film Advantageous, and the film scored prizes in 3 other categories including Best Music Score (Timo Chen), Best Editing (Sean Gillane and Jennifer Phang), and the special inaugural Linda Mabalot Renaissance Award foractress/writer Jacqueline Kim for her work as the lead actress and co-writer of Advantageous. This award recognizes a multi talented artist who exemplifies the spirit and fierceness of the late executive director of the LAAPFF and Visual Communications, Linda Mabalot. Mabalot died in 2003 just after the festival ended.
THE TEAM FROM ADVANTAGEOUS, WINNER OF MULTIPLE AWARDS AT THE 2015 LAAPFF, CELEBRATES ON CLOSING NIGHT AT THE DGA. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ACTRESS JACQUELINE KIM; DIRECTOR JENNIFER PHANG; COMPOSER TIMO CHEN. (PHOTO: STEVEN LAM)
The cast and creative team of Jennifer Phang’s ADVANTAGEOUS at the Los Angeles premiere at the Aratani Theatre on August 24, 2015. Photo courtesy of Ed Moy/Facebook
The cast and creative team of ADVANTAGEOUS at the Sundance Film Festival premiere on January 26, 2015 in Park City, Utah. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Sakata
Director Jennifer Phang at a screening of Advantageous at Cinema Village in New York on June 26, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang
Filmmaker’s Bio
Jennifer Phang’s sophomore feature Advantageous won the US Dramatic Competition Special Jury Prize in Collaborative Vision at Sundance 2015. Her award-winning debut feature Half-Life premiered in 2008 at the Tokyo International and Sundance film festivals. It screened at SXSW and was distributed by Sundance Channel. She was invited to Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab and was awarded a SFFS FilmHouse Residency and Sundance Institute Feature Film Grants in support of Advantageous. Phang was originally commissioned to create Advantageous as a short film for the ITVS Futurestates Program. Phang is one of three inaugural recipients of the San Francisco Film Society’s (SFFS) Women Filmmaker Fellowships. A Berkeley-born daughter of a Chinese-Malaysian father and Vietnamese mother, Phang graduated from the MFA directing program at the American Film Institute.
Advantageous is produced by Robert Chang, Theresa Navarro, Moon Molson, Ken Jeong and Jacqueline Kim. With cinematography by Richard Wong, editing by Sean Gillane and Gena Bleir, production design by Dara Wishingrad and Aiyana Trotter, VFX animation by Catherine Tate, Ricardo Marmolej and Jean Elston, original score composed by Timo Chen.
Film Independent Members (and members of IFP) vote to determine the winners of the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards. Become a Film Independent Member, by visiting filmindependent.org/membership. All Members must be paid and current as of December 4, 2015 to be eligible to vote. Click here to cast your vote.
The 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast exclusively on IFC on February 27, 2016, LIVE at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET. Congrats to all of nominees.
Below is the full list of nominations.
Best Feature
Award given to the Producer; Executive Producers are not awarded. Anomalisa Beasts of No Nation Carol Spotlight Tangerine
Best Director
Cary Joji Fukunaga, Beasts of No Nation
Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson, Anomalisa
David Robert Mitchell, It Follows
Sean Baker, Tangerine
Todd Haynes, Carol
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Best Screenplay
Charlie Kaufman, Anomalisa
Donald Margulies, The End of the Tour
Phyllis Nagy, Carol
S. Craig Zahler, Bone Tomahawk
Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer, Spotlight
Best First Screenplay
Emma Donoghue, Room
Jesse Andrews, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
John Magary, Russell Harbaugh, Myna Joseph, The Mend
Jonas Carpignano, Mediterranea
Marielle Heller, The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Best First Feature
Award given to the director and producer. James White Manos Sucias Mediterranea Songs My Brothers Taught Me The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Best Female Lead
Bel Powley, The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Brie Larson, Room
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Tangerine
Rooney Mara, Carol
Best Male Lead
Abraham Attah, Beasts of No Nation
Ben Mendelsohn, Mississippi Grind
Christopher Abbott, James White
Jason Segal, The End of the Tour
Koudous Seihon, Mediterranea
Best Supporting Female
Cynthia Nixon, James White
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Anomalisa
Marin Ireland, Glass Chin
Mya Taylor, Tangerine
Robin Bartlett, H.
Best Supporting Male
Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
Kevin Corrigan, Results
Michael Shannon, 99 Homes
Paul Dano, Love & Mercy
Richard Jenkins, Bone Tomahawk
Best Documentary (T)error Best of Enemies Heat of a Dog Meru The Look of Silence The Russian Woodpecker
Best Cinematography
Cary Joji Fukunaga, Beasts of No Nation
Ed Lachman, Carol
Joshua James Richards, Songs My Brothers Taught Me
Michael Gioulakis, It Follows
Reed Morano, Meadowland
Best Editing
Julo C. Perez IV, It Follows
Kristan Sprague, Manos Sucias
Nathan Nugent, Room
Ronald Bronstein and Benny Safdie, Heaven Knows What
Tom McArdle, Spotlight
Best International Film A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence Embrace of the Serpent Girlhood Mustang Son of Saul
John Cassavetes Award
Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director and producer; Executive Producers are not awarded. Advantageous Christmas, Again Heaven Knows What Krisha Out of My Hand
Robert Altman Award Spotlight
Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award
The 22nd annual Someone to Watch Award, sponsored by Kiehl’s Since 1851, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl’s Since 1851.
Chloe Zhao, Songs My Brothers Taught Me
Felix Thompson, King Jack
Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, God Bless the Child
Piaget Producers Award
The 19th annual Producers Award, sponsored by Piaget, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
Darren Dean
Mel Eslyn
Rebecca Green & Laura D. Smith
Truer Than Fiction
The 21st annual Truer Than Fiction Award, sponsored by LensCrafters is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by LensCrafters.
Alex Sichel and Elizabeth Giamatti, A Woman Like Me
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Incorruptible
Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi, Among the Believers
ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Now in its 31st year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers whose films embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience.
The winners of the Spirit Awards are voted upon by Film Independent and IFP Members. Awards are given in the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, Best Screenplay, John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000), Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best International Film and Best Documentary. The Filmmaker Grants include the Piaget Producers Award, the Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award and the Truer Than Fiction Award. The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget, Bank of America, Heineken, American Airlines, Jaguar and IFC. FIJI Water is the Official Water of the 2016 Spirit Awards. WireImage is the Official Photographer of Film Independent.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a Member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover.
In addition to producing the Spirit Awards, Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.
With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.
ABOUT IFC IFC is the home of offbeat, unexpected comedies. Series like Portlandia, Documentary Now!, Maron and Comedy Bang! Bang! air alongside fan-favorite movies and comedic cult TV shows. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., and available across multiple platforms. IFC is Always On Slightly Off.
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
HIFF is hosting a free screening of Director Bao Nguyen’s ESPN 30 for 30 documentary BE WATER, followed by an after-film panel featuring Director Nguyen, Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee, Angry Asian Man founder and culture writer Phil Yu, Chi-hui Yang of the Ford Foundation, Momofuku founder and ‘Ugly Delicious’ host Dave Chang, and Kindred Ventures’ Founder Steve Jang on Friday, November 27 to celebrate Bruce Lee’s 80th birthday. The panel discussion will be moderated by New York Magazine’s Chris Lee. 
BE WATER is a feature-length documentary that offers a unique glimpse into the man behind the myth, featuring interviews from celebrity friends, members of his own family, and even private letters written by Bruce Lee. BE WATER premiered at Sundance 2020 and competed in the U.S. Dramatic Feature competition. In June, it had its U.S. broadcast debut on ESPN as part of the sports broadcaster’s 30 on 30 documentary series, breaking ratings records. It is an official selection of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival in the Cannes Classics section. 
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) is presenting the virtual World Premiere of Mallorie Ortega’s musical dramedy The Girl Who Left Home. Visual Communications (VC) will present the 36th Annual LAAPFF from September 24 to October 31.
Bev's Girl Films 