On Sunday, Garth and I made our second film-related road trip to Philadelphia to attend the Official Selection screening of Hide and Seek at The Women’s Film Festival 2016 (TWFF’16), now in its second year.
Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia. Photo by Lia Chang
Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia. Photo by Lia Chang
First on the schedule was the TWFF’16’s filmmaker’s brunch, held at the adorable Russet Restaurant, located in an old brownstone at 1521 Spruce St. in Philadelphia.
Garth Kravits, Tess McChesney Kunik, Hannah Renée Dobratz and Layne Marie Williams, TWFF’16 Co-Founder/Co-Excutive Director at Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia Chang
While the temps outside were on the cooler side, the atmosphere inside was warm, nurturing and delicious as we noshed on Potato Herb Frittata, Baked French Toast and Pork and Sweet Potato Hash in the private sun drenched party room.
Potato Herb Frittata, Baked French Toast and Pork and Sweet Potato Hash. Photo by Lia Chang
Pork and Sweet Potato Hash. Photo by Lia Chang
Baked French Toast. Photo by Lia Chang
Potato Herb Frittata and Toast. Photo by Lia Chang
The TWFF’16 filmmaker’s brunch at Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia ChangThe TWFF’16 filmmaker’s brunch at Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia ChangThe TWFF’16 filmmaker’s brunch at Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia ChangThe TWFF’16 filmmaker’s brunch at Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia ChangMelissa Kim, Phuong Nguyen, Christina May and Victoria Place at the TWFF’16 filmmaker’s brunch at Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia ChangTess McChesney Kunik, Nia Benjamin, Hannah Renée Dobratz, Pheng H. Teng, Layne Marie Williams, TWFF’16 Co-Founder/Co-Excutive Director, Victoria Place and Melissa Kim. Photo by Lia ChangThe TWFF’16 filmmaker’s brunch at Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia Chang
After the brunch, we headed to the Caplan Recital Hall on the 17th floor of the University of the Arts, where TWFF 2016 has been in full swing since March 11th.
Photo by Lia Chang
Photo by Lia Chang
Photo by Lia Chang
Checking in for TWFF’16 with Melissa Kim, Christina May and Phuong Nguyen. Photo by Lia Chang
The other films in the Artistic Shorts Program lineup included Sandra Formatger Garcia’s Breath of Clay, Marc Menish’s Bryn and Stephanie Ramones’ Santo.
Christina May hosted the screenings. Photo by Lia Chang
Christina May hosted the screenings. Photo by Lia Chang
Christina May hosted the screenings. Photo by Lia Chang
After the screenings, we had international Skype Q & A sessions with Sandra Formatger Garcia in Paris and Marc Menish in Tokyo.
A Skype session with BREATH OF CLAY director Sandra Formatger Garcia from Paris, at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia Chang.A Skype session with BRYN director Marc Menish from Tokyo, at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia ChangA Skype session with I BELIEVE IN UNICORN director Leah Myerhoff from Austin, at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia Chang.
Screening Hide and Seek in celebration of Women’s History Month was especially meaningful, and I found the comments during the Q & A to be quite illuminating.
Victoria Place, Kayla O’Donnell, Melissa Kim and Phuong Nguyen at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia ChangA Q & A with the cast and Stephanie Ramones, the director of SANTO, at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia Chang.SANTO filmmaker Stephanie Ramones is flanked by the dancers who appeared in her film at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia Chang.Garth Kravits at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Lia Chang.Genevieve McPherson, Lia Chang and Kayla O’Donnell at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Garth KravitsLia Chang and Garth Kravits at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Melissa KimLia Chang at TWFF’16 at the University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall in Philadelphia on March 13, 2016. Photo by Garth Kravits
A special thanks to Phuong Nguyen, TWFF2016 Co-Founder/Co-Excutive Director, who has been so supportive of Hide and Seek, since our meeting at the Asian American International Film Festival in New York last summer.
Lia Chang and Phuong Nguyen, TWFF’16 Co-Founder/Co-Excutive Director. Photo by Lia Chang
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Women’s Film Festival (TWFF) is an emerging event, bringing in audience members from all over the area and filmmakers, actors, and leaders from around the world. The festival aims to showcase projects that engage, inspire, and connect our community and as well to shed light on women’s issues.
For more information about TWFF’16 visit thewomensfilmfestival.org and follow on twitter @thewomensfilmfestival.
Lia Chang. Photo by Garth KravitsLia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and a freelance Arts and Entertainment reporter. Chang recently received a Best Actress nomination at the 2015 Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout. Lia has appeared in the filmsWolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is a Scripps Howard New Media Fellow at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, a Visual Journalism Fellow at the Poynter Institute for New Media and a Western Knight Fellow at USC’s Annenberg College of Communications for Specialized Journalism on Entertainment Journalism in the Digital Age. She is the recipient of the AAJA 2001 National Award for New Media and the OCA 2000 Chinese American Journalist Award. Avenue Magazine named her one of the “One Hundred Most Influential Asian Americans”. She is featured in Joann Faung Jean Lee’s book Asian American actors: oral histories from stage, screen, and television. She is profiled in Examiner.com, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
Up in the Clouds, a delightful animated short written and directed by Ed Moy, and featuring the voices of Katherine Park (Red Dress) and Raymond Ma (The Muppets, Horrible Bosses 2, and Lethal Weapon 4), is an Official Selection of the 2016 Asians on Film Festival, and will screen as on Saturday, March 12, 2016, in the SPLIT shorts program at 6:00PM at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Buy tickets online.
Up in the Clouds is an Asians on Film Festival Summer Quarter 2015 Winner for Best Animation.
Katherine Sui Fun Cheung in pilot’s gear kickstarting propeller c1930’s. Photo courtesy of Dottie Leschenko.
Produced by Ed Moy and Timothy Tau, the inspiration for Up in the Clouds is Chinese aviatrix Katherine Sui Fun Cheung, who became one of the first Chinese women pilots to earn a license to fly in the United States.
Cheung is honored with a plaque at LAX’s Flight Path as the first licensed Asian Aviatrix in the United States, recognized with a plaque at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, Disney’s Soarin’ over California and in the Smithsonian.
Up in the Clouds. Illustrated by Ruby Chen
Up in the Clouds was originally conceived as black and white animatic style sketches illustrating Katherine’s story of falling in love with flying while learning to drive a car with her dad next to a dusty airfield in Los Angeles.
Up in the Clouds. Illustrated by Ruby Chen
Ruby Chen’s hand drawn illustrations features 1920’s period cars and planes in a cartoon style meets modern anime caricature, which visual effects editor Chris Trinh animated with motion and movement.
Up in the Clouds. Illustrated by Ruby Chen
Additional production credits include David Cu (sound and music editor), Nicole Echegoyen (graphic artist) and Birdie Sawyer (trailer video editor). Additional funding was provided by executive producer Tau for the color illustrations, and by Moy for the colorized cartoon.
Up in the Clouds. Illustrated by Ruby Chen
Edmund Moy (director, producer, writer)
Ed Moy is an award-winning journalist. His series of feature news articles about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training fundraising programs helped raise awareness for their mission while touching the lives of thousands of readers and earned him their National Print Media Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Moy is currently working on an Aviatrix documentary film and web series project about Chinese women aviators of the 1930s. He was also co-writer on director Timothy Tau’s award-winning short film Keye Luke about the life of pioneering Asian American actor Keye Luke. It won an Audience Award at the 2014 Hollyshorts Film Festival and was nominated for Best Short Film at the 2013 Dragon*Con Short Film Fest. http://www.aviatrixmovie.org
Katherine Park (daughter)
Born in Framingham Massachusetts, Katherine Park is an actor, alternative singer-songwriter, photographer, cosplay cover model, and teacher. Like Katherine Sui Fun Chung, she grew up studying music at the conservatory level. She was lead vocalist for indie rock darlings The Jumblies before impressing San Francisco casting director Nina Henninger, and director Evan Cecil, who casted her as comic book heroine Giselle Grey in Image Comic’s comic book series Carbon Grey. She has also appeared on HBO, Investigation Discovery, The Biography Channel, Hulu, My TV New England, and Amazon. Park performs at music festivals in San Francisco, including ULUV 2013, and the Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration. She will portray the young Katherine Sui Fun Chung in the upcoming documentary film and web series: Aviatrix. www.katherinepark.com @katherinepark
Raymond Ma (father)
Raymond Ma On House, M.D. Raymond Ma portrayed Nicole’s biological father Wu Zheng in the Season 5 episode “Birthmarks.”
Ma has had featured roles in Dharma & Greg, Old School, Starsky & Hutch, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Boston Legal,Crash and The Muppets. He will portray Katherine Sui Fun Cheung’s father Harry Cheung in the upcoming Aviatrix documentary film and web series.
David Cu (editor, sound editor)
David Cu is a composer, sound designer, and editor for film, television, games, and more. He studied at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media.
Up in the Clouds has screened at the 2015 Catalina Film Festival, 2015 San Jose International Short Film Festival, 2015 Miami Independent Film Festival, 2015 Hollyshorts – Monthly Screening Series and 2015 Asians On Film – Best Animation Summer Quarter.
The Women’s Film Festival 2016 (TWFF 2016) is presenting its 2nd annual film festival in Philadelphia, from March 11-13, 2016. In its second year, TWFF 2016 has curated 20 films from around the world. From special programs and intimate discussions with the filmmakers, audiences will leave feeling inspired and embrace the power of female expression. The festival takes place at The University of the Arts’ Caplan Recital Hall (211 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 on the 17th floor). Check out the full lineup below.
The festival kicks off on Friday, March 11th with MANISLAM, a documentary that depict Islam and masculinity in a contemporary David vs Goliath interpretation, followed by an Opening Night wine and cheese reception. with light refreshments.
This film examines the burdens of manhood within Islamic cultures. It brings us a new interpretation of David vs. Goliath. The main characters, bravely and frankly, share deeply personal memories and experiences in their effort to highlight and question the role of men in contemporary Islam.
Director Nefise Özkal Lorentzen and Producer, Jørgen Lorentzen will be available for a Q&A session via Skype.
Friday, March 11th, 2016 Sneak Preview of “Dollface” | US | 5 minutes | @ 7:15PM Directed by Layne Marie Williams
DOLLFACE tackles the web-like topic of the institution of marriage. Examining both the good and the bad, the film endeavors to explore everything from the societal, religious, and racial pressures surrounding the mystery of marriage to those that are self-inflicted, imagined, and even truly desired, through the characters of Dot and Max, a contemporary interracial couple faced with the curse of ultimate incompatibility.
Director Layne Marie Williams and Make-up Artist/2nd Assistant Director, Hannah Renee will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Mariam | France | 43 minutes | @7:30PM Directed by Faiza Ambah
Veiled Muslim teenager Mariam must decide between taking off her hijab veil or getting expelled from school in 2004 France when a law is passed banning religious symbols from public schools, at the same time that a popular boy in school starts paying attention to her.
Friday, March 11th, 2016 WAXING | US | 43 minutes | @ 8:25PM Directed by Lexi Bass
Carl Jung suggested the possibility of a collective unconscious wherein we might access the collective memories of our ancestors through dreams. In this way, we seem to remember a time from our collective past prior to our evolution into humans. WAXING explores a personal mythology through dreams from written accounts maintained throughout the course of the director’s life. Set to Chemo Castronovo’s ethereal lunar soundscapes, these vignettes are based on dreams in which the Moon played an important role. Equal parts poetry and nightmare, WAXING attempts to engage the world in a dialog about the heaviness of responsibility, our fears of failure, what our dreams could mean, and where they come from.
Director Lexi Bass will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Friday, March 11th, 2016 A Queer Country | United Kingdom | 73 minutes | @ 9:20PM Directed by Lisa Morgenthau
A Queer Country explores the development of Israel’s buzzing LGBTQ community in Tel Aviv – recently crowned the gay capital of the world – and what this means in a religious state. Using interview access to Tel Aviv’s mayor, who is controversially credited with pioneering its LGBTQ scene, the film uncovers how liberal attitudes are often at odds with the country’s religious laws.
Despite hosting one of the world’s largest gay Pride events each year, Israel’s LGBTQ citizens face an uphill battle to achieve political victories such as the right to marry. They face continued violence – as demonstrated at Jerusalem Pride 2015.
Director Lisa Morgenthau and Producer Harriet Davies are expected to be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- Free Event Funny Women Panel | 60 minutes | @ 1:00PM Anna Suzuki
Anna Suzuki is a NYC-based comedian and actor. She has appeared in numerous stand-up festivals around the country. Credits include “Orange is the New Black,” HBO’s “High Maintenance,” I am Michael (with James Franco, Zachary Quinto), Time Out of Mind (with Richard Gere). Currently Anna is part of the all-Asian sketch team, Azn Pop, and co-host of the variety show/podcast, The Soul Glo Project. Most recently Anna co-created the dark comedy web series, ‘Japandering’ in Tokyo based on her experience growing up biracial in Japan. Say hi to Anna on Twitter @thejapjap! More info: japandering.com, helloannasuzuki.com
Jennifer MacMillan
Jennifer MacMillan was the Valedictory Speaker at Commencement- Class of 2006 in her Acting Program. She was also the winner of the Inaugural National Playscripts Funny Women Competition. Published play Enter Bogart. She is currently a professional improviser and founding member of Tongue and Groove Spontaneous Theater Company ( performed with 7 years). She is also the Co-Founder and former Artistic Director of Bright Invention: The White Pines Ensemble. She is internationally recognized storyteller with a 4 star review for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Was a Barrymore Nomination for Outstanding Ensemble for Fair Maid of the West with the Philadelphia Artists Collective in 2015. A quote from Toby Zinmans review of The Government Inspector with the IRC -the gifted comedienne Jennifer MacMillan Feb. 2016.
Christina May
Christina May is the founder and president of Image of the Word, LLC, established in 2008. She developed her own company to serve as an Acting Coach for aspiring artists, and to create and showcase her original works as an actor. Christina uses the mediums of coaching, directing, writing, and connecting to inspire and motivate others to be forces of Divine Light & Love in the earth.
Moderator- Melissa Kim
Melissa Kim is a writer, director, and producer with a B.A. in Electronic Media from The George Washington University. She once rocked the polyester blue jacket of NBCUs Page Program, and spent several years working in Los Angeles in casting, international television distribution, and theater, among many other pursuits. She has since returned to the Philadelphia area and is currently a writer for entertainment website Soompi. On a completely unrelated note, if you run into Taecyeon, please give him her number.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- Kayla O’Donnell/Comedy Shorts Program @ 2:00PM- Free Event There will be a 5 minute performance piece to Cabinet Battle #2from “Hamilton” the musical by Kayla O’Donnell before the films.
Peace of Mind Guaranteed | USA | 10 minutes Directed by Swati Srivastava Watch Trailer
DNA Paternity testing. One test, many answers. Most of them you don’t want to know!
Director Swati Srivastava and Co-Producer Brenden Hubbard may be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Step 9 | USA | 13 minutes Directed by Leonora Pitts
Two friends, one in recovery and one decidedly not, go on a roadtrip to begin making amends.
Director Leonora Pitts may be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Texting: A Love Story | USA | 8 minutes Directed by Jeanette Buck
A short, awkward romantic comedy about love, intimacy, and connection in the digital age.
Another Time | USA | 25 minutes Directed by Amy Frear Watch Trailer
A twenty-something woman who may or may not be a lost time traveler deals with commitment issues and indecision in present day Philadelphia.
Director Amy Frear will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Animal Profiles | USA | 7 minutes Directed by Becky Zak Watch Trailer
Charmingly odd animated comedy where a variety of cartoon animals earnestly discuss a different topic each episode. We Find out the inner workings of our furry friends’ brains and discovers that their struggles aren’t so different from ours…
Hacktivists | USA | 10 minutes Directed by Genevieve McPherson
In efforts to save their community’s water source, four brilliant women pose as a book club to work as an Anonymous hackers satellite cell to take down the money behind the fracking project destroying their local reservoir. Their greenest member, Jess, is a new mother of twins and feeling the pressures to balance her home life with her work life. As a result, she screws up her assignment and scrambles to repair her mistake in order to stay in the club.
Director, Genevieve McPherson will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- Family Shorts Program @ 3:15PM- Free Event My Brother’s Stocking | USA | 2 minutes Directed by Hannah Field
My Brother’s Stocking is about a family of robins who inhabit a hollowed out space in the wall of a London building. One summer day, the two baby brothers are playing outside when one of them is taken and killed by a kitten. Shock and sadness come upon the whole bird family. As they grieve, they are confronted with a decision to either take the path of anger and bitterness, or to take the path of grace and joy.
How is How | USA | 7 minutes Directed by Pheng H. Tang
Sometimes getting out of the house in the morning is like a Mission Impossible for a single Chinese immigrant mother and her two kids in How is How.
Director Pheng H. Tang will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Farewell my Bird | USA | 22 minutes Directed by Ameneh Moghaddam
An elderly photographer who loves his pet canary more than anything becomes jealous when a young boy makes a connection with his bird causing a love triangle.
Director Ameneh Moghaddam may be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Game On! | USA | 15 minutes Directed by Jennie Crystle Watch Trailer
On a Monday morning gone wrong, a creative mother of a hectic family, and corporate manager, is challenged to pitch a big contract to her company. After overcoming hilarious obstacles before work, she discovers the support she needs for success has been there all along.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- PWIFT Panel @ 4PM- Free Event Presented by
How Can We Make Female Media Makers in Philly More Visible to the People Who Hire?
Join PWIFT and the Women’s Film Festival for a conversation and brainstorming session with:
PANEL: David Dunn, Executive Producer/Director and Co-founder of All Ages Productions David Dunn is one of the co-founders of All Ages Productions. As a director he has worked for clients such as: Sailor Jerry Rum, Lily Pulitzer, Hendricks Gin, Britta/Mavea, Health Republic, Dockers, DIAL for Men, TYR, Warby Parker, CHOP and many others. Dunn’s personal works have shown in galleries and festivals nationally. He has completed two US tours of his work video work and over six tours of his performance work. He is also a co-founding member of the Copy Gallery, an alternative arts exhibition space, and the Small Change Experimental Film Screening Series in Philadelphia. Dunn was also a member of the renowned art collective Space 1026 and has shown work with them in venues such as the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, Bravinlee Gallery in NY, and LoBot Gallery in Oakland, California.
Maureen Schultz, Owner/Executive Producer, Sweet Spots Productions Maureen Schultz is an experienced content creator strategically positioned at the crossroads of traditional TV, digital content and social media. She skillfully guides shows and cross-media projects from initial concept to top honors and awards.
Whether producing a broadcast TV series, a YouTube channel or a social media campaign, Schultz engages audiences by merging compelling storytelling with new forms of video and technology.
Combining her multifaceted production experience with digital strategy skills, Schultz creates effective and entertaining content for Sesame Workshop, Disney, Discovery Health, Animal Planet, and other prestigious clients.
Schultz’s proven expertise across all phases of production enables her to bring together and lead the best talent for any project. Her work has garnered multiple awards, among them an Emmy, Telly and BDA Promax.
Unlike some industry folks, Schultz is proud to admit she watches a lot of TV and constantly monitors digital and social media channels. It’s not just a job, its a lifestyle, after all.
Aaron Spence, Chief Business Development Officer for BoatHouse Pictures
Spence currently serves as the Chief Business Development Officer for BoatHouse Pictures. In 2012, Spence, Andre Saballette and Mario Maiale, and began BoatHouse with $100 and a very big dream: to engage a community of storytellers in Philadelphia helping bring their visions to life. In his capacity as a cofounder & CBDO, Spence seeks to forge partnerships with those interested in working with a unique creative film organization, building a strong local business community, supervising the logistical needs for clients, and leading the strategic planning for the company at large. He is a proud graduate of both West Catholic Preparatory High School and La Salle University. Spence serves on the boards of several local community organizations including the West Catholic Alumni Association Board of Governors, The Overbrook Park Church of Christ, and The HER Project, where he serves as Chairman of the Board.
Jacqui Sadashige, Senior Lecturer for the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania
Jacqui Sadashige (Moderator) received her BA from Amherst College in English and Fine Arts, an MA in English from Indiana University, and her MA and PhD in Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Sadashige is currently a Senior Lecturer for the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania where she teaches writing seminars that address race and popular culture, with an emphasis on film. Her scholarly interests focus on the ways in which popular culture reflects and refracts our views on race, gender, and species. In addition to teaching and writing about popular culture, Dr. Sadashige is also a staff member of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, a local fitness professional, and an Elephant Ambassador for the Save Elephant Foundation in Thailand.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016-“Self Defense for Women” by Platoon Fitness @ 5:00PM- Free Event
For more than 20 years Platoon personal training has been helping people in the Philadelphia, PA get in shape and feel better. They train the body the way it should perform and function in real life. Platoon Fitness has been generous to teach our women how to defend themselves if under attack by another person. Please join us in this free 15 minute demo with a Q&A by fitness instructors by Platoon Fitness.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- Centerpiece Film Gender Journeys: More Than a Pronoun | USA | 90 minutes | @ 5:30PM Directed by Tess Kunik
Gender Journeys: More Than a Pronoun is the first part of a documentary series that focuses on the #TransLivesMatter movement. The filming, which took place at Luke Allen Productions LLC, is part of a larger project that hopes to, according to Christina May, producer, and Tess McChesney Kunik, filmmaker document intersectionality within the Trans* identity. Those interviewed were a host of professionals and activists in the Philadelphia who had the expectation to highlight lives that are often underserved.
Director Tess Kunik, Producer, Christina May and Executive Producer Luke Allen will be available for a Q&A session.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016-
LGBTQ Shorts Program @ 6:50PM- Free Program
Truthful Innards | USA | 4 minutes Directed by Margaret Polzine
An experimental animation approaching the idea of the layers a body builds when it has been harmed.
Director Margaret Polzine will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Malefemale | USA | 9 minutes Directed by Kristin Adair
Frances Reed identifies as gender non-conforming. While they love their body, they have struggled with pain and injury connected to their gender presentation. Frances story is about the challenges and joys of living in ones body, while also seeking to connect and grow in relationship and service to others. This short documentary follows Frances and their long-time partner Jessica as they navigate life together, running an evolving community wellness space called Freed Bodyworks, and being who they are.
Director Kristin Adair may be available for a Q&A session.
Carefree | USA | 22 minutes Directed by Tara Shayne
Tara, a quirky, high-strung girl in her 20’s visits her hometown, for the first time since leaving at 17, to crash her high school sweethearts wedding. Through a series of awkward encounters and ridiculous scenarios she finds that not too much has changed back home, yet everything has changed.
Two very different and estranged sisters come together to celebrate their mother’s new marriage. Dramatic and comedic moments ensue as the sisters tackle issues of sexuality, conformity and family dynamics strengthening their sisterly bond.
Director Michelle Brightman will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
The Hurtin’ One | Canada | 3 minutes Directed by Jess Lee
Nursing heartache, a queer woman finds temporary reprieve while immersing herself in a Portuguese community street party.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- International Drama Shorts Program @ 7:50PM- Free Event Roubado | France | 18 minutes Directed by Erica Watson
A teen photographer in the south of France develops a tense relationship with his mother’s new boyfriend. Rajakumaran (Prince) | India | 15 minutes Directed by Sarath Menon
A prostitute creates a bedtime story for her son about his father whose identity even she doesn’t know. Rajakumaran is a mono act involving two characters, one of which marks their presence only through voice. Rajakumar tries to bring out the social issues regarding prostitution and how the children born to prostitutes face a tough life ahead of them. The film is the debut venture by writer and director Sarath Menon. Renowned art house cinematographer MJ Radhakrishnan’s cinematography and the editing skills of B. Lenin make this film unique.
Director Sarath Menon may be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Barrio Dos: Pintados | Philippines | 4 minute Directed by Erykah Del Mundo
An elite officer of the Philippine National Police must swear off against a crime lord to rescue a kidnapped girl.
The Guard | Italy | 5 minutes Directed by Ludovica De Santis
Saturday, March 12th, 2016 The Saver | Canada| 88 minutes | @ 8:50PM Directed by Wiebke von Carolsfeld
After being orphaned in the middle of a harsh Montreal winter, teenager Fern resolves to avoid her mothers tragic fate by becoming a millionaire. “All you need to do is save,” according to the book How to become a Millionaire. So, with Youth Protection at her heels, she lies to get a job first as a live-in janitor and then another as a dishwasher, saving whatever she finds along the way. But despite all her smarts and fierce determination, Fern’s house of cards beings to crumble, until she realizes that she may not be as alone as she once thought. Based on the young adult novel by Edeet Ravel, starring the newly discovered Imajyn Cardinal, The Saver was written, edited and directed by award-winning filmmaker Wiebke von Carolsfeld (Marion Bridge, Stay).
Director Wiebke von Carolsfeld and Producer John Christou will be available for a Q&A session via Skype.
Sunday, March 13th, 2016- Double Feature with one ticket price
UnSlut: A Documentary Film | Canada | 38 minutes | @11:15AM Directed by Emily Lindin
This documentary short from The UnSlut Project asks: Why is the sexual shaming of girls and women, including sexual assault victims, still so prevalent in the United States and Canada? Through interviews with sexuality experts, advocates, and media figures, UnSlut: A Documentary Film explores the manifestations and often devastating results of sexual shaming in North America and offers immediate and long-term goals for personal, local, and institutional solutions.
Moms and Meds: Navigating Pregnancy & Psychiatric Medication | USA | 54 minutes | @11:55AM Directed by Dina Fiasconaro
Moms and Meds: Navigating Pregnancy & Psychiatric Medication is a feature-length documentary film that explores the options women face when they want to have children, but take psychotropic medication for mental illness. The film follows multiple women who are dealing with this issue: some who have chosen to wean off of medication prior to or during pregnancy. The film focuses on the personal stories of these women, and the many facets, both positive and negative, of making such decisions. It addresses the struggle and emotional turmoil, as well as the hope and perseverance of the featured women, and advocates for their ability to make the best individual and personal choices for themselves and their families.
Sunday, March 13th, 2016- Artistic Shorts Program @ 1:00PM- Free Event
Breath of Clay | France | 17 minutes | Directed by Sandra Formatger Garcia
At the crossroads between documentary filmmaking and artistic creation, Breath of Clay (Souffle d’argile) renders the inwardness of the artist Philippine Schaefers work. Discreetly, the camera glides close to the creative process to capture photographic images of the outcome of this intense work. Here clay has the primary role. Clay as a reminder of Mother Earth, of Genesis, of the first artistic creations, the healing material since ancient times … Clay and the body dancing between fascination and obsession to the rhythms of an almost childlike freedom. In the form of a triptych, the film shows true moments of inspiration rarely captured. And without any second take. A symbiosis between the artist and the filmmaker, closer to Philippine Schaefers creativity and intentions, her favored themes: nature and human. A bold work, one that moves us by its immediacy.
Portrait of a young female woodcarver in West Virginia who, despite having some social anxiety issues, has a 50,000+ following on social media and a long backlog of orders.
Director Marc Menish and subject Bryn may be available to do a Q&A session via Skype.
Hide and Seek | USA | 4 minutes | Directed by Garth Kravits
What face do you see when you look in the mirror? Hide and Seek is a short film that speaks to the societal challenge that women, and especially women of color, endure every day. To look in the mirror and to hope to see a face other than your own. One that is closer to what magazines, television and movies define as beautiful or even normal.
Co-Producer and Lead Actress, Lia Chang and Co-Producer and Director Garth Kravits will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Santo, A Dance Narrative on Domestic Violence | USA | 11 minutes | Directed by Stephanie Ramones
Using the silent but powerful art of dance to raise awareness on the dangers of staying in an abusive relationship. Starring world champion Philadelphia dance company Art in Motion Latin Dancers this short film tells the story of a group of women and their struggle in deciding whether to stay or go and the roller coaster they’re on. We get a personal view on the story of Liz and Darlin as we enter Liz’s worst nightmares and see their home life.
Sunday, March 13th, 2016- Free Event with light wine & cheese reception I Believe in Unicorns | 80 minutes | USA | @ 2:15PM Directed by Leah Meyerhoff
Davina is an imaginative and strong-willed teenage girl who often escapes into a beautifully twisted fantasy life. Having grown up quickly as the sole caretaker of her disabled mother, she looks for salvation in a new relationship with an older boy. Davina is swept into a whirlwind of romance and adventure, but the enchantment of her new relationship quickly fades when his volatile side begins to emerge. I Believe in Unicorns takes us on a road trip through the stunning and complex landscape of troubled young love.
Director Leah Meyerhoff will be available to do a Q&A session via Skype.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Women’s Film Festival (TWFF) is an emerging event, bringing in audience members from all over the area and filmmakers, actors, and leaders from around the world. The festival aims to showcase projects that engage, inspire, and connect our community and as well to shed light on women’s issues.
For more information about TWFF’16 visit thewomensfilmfestival.org and follow on twitter @thewomensfilmfestival.
Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and a freelance Arts and Entertainment reporter. Chang recently received a Best Actress nomination at the 2015 Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout. Lia has appeared in the filmsWolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is a Scripps Howard New Media Fellow at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, a Visual Journalism Fellow at the Poynter Institute for New Media and a Western Knight Fellow at USC’s Annenberg College of Communications for Specialized Journalism on Entertainment Journalism in the Digital Age. She is the recipient of the AAJA 2001 National Award for New Media and the OCA 2000 Chinese American Journalist Award. Avenue Magazine named her one of the “One Hundred Most Influential Asian Americans”. She is featured in Joann Faung Jean Lee’s book Asian American actors: oral histories from stage, screen, and television. She is profiled in Examiner.com, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
Bev’s Girl Films’ Hide and Seek starring Lia Chang and Garth Kravits, will screen as an official selection in The Women’s Film Festival at the University of the Arts, Caplan Recital Hall, 17th Floor, 211 South Broad Street (between Locust and Walnut Street on Broad Street) in Philadelphia, PA 19107, in the Artistic Shorts Program on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 1:00PM.
The Women’s Film Festival will be held from March 11th-13th, 2016. Click here for more information on the festival.
All-Access Badges: $40
Regular Admission: $8
Student/Senior/Children under 18: $6
The producing team of Bev’s Girl Films – Best Actress nominee Lia Chang and Garth Kravits for their debut short film, Hide and Seek (Top Ten Film for 72 Hour Shootout)
Kravits also directed, edited and scored the film, in addition to sharing camera operator duties with Evan Daves. Daves and Alicia Manns also appear in the film.
Lia Chang in Hide and Seek. Photo by GK
Hide and Seek speaks to the societal challenge that women, and especially women of color, endure every day. To look in the mirror and to hope to see a face other than your own. One that is closer to what magazines, television and movies define as beautiful or even normal. What face do you see when you look in the mirror?
Hide and Seek is a very personal film to me as I got my start in front of the camera as a model at the age of 15, before honing my craft in film, television and theater.
Garth Kravits. Photo by Lia Chang
Garth Kravits is an actor, singer, musician and composer and award winning filmmaker. On television, Kravits has guest starred on 30 Rock, The Blacklist, Nurse Jackie, Hostages, Tin Man and The Carrie Diaries and played opposite Keanu Reeves in the feature film Sweet November.
Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and a freelance Arts and Entertainment reporter. Chang recently received a Best Actress nomination at the 2015 Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout. Lia has appeared in the filmsWolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is a Scripps Howard New Media Fellow at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, a Visual Journalism Fellow at the Poynter Institute for New Media and a Western Knight Fellow at USC’s Annenberg College of Communications for Specialized Journalism on Entertainment Journalism in the Digital Age. She is the recipient of the AAJA 2001 National Award for New Media and the OCA 2000 Chinese American Journalist Award. Avenue Magazine named her one of the “One Hundred Most Influential Asian Americans”. She is featured in Joann Faung Jean Lee’s book Asian American actors: oral histories from stage, screen, and television. She is profiled in Examiner.com, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
Comcast NBC10 Telemundo72 Comcast Spectator is presenting the 8th Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival from November 12 to November 22, 2015. In under a decade, PAAFF has emerged as the premier Asian American film festival on the East Coast.
The PAAFF’15 Centerpiece Event, a multimedia program that explores the Asian American Hip Hop movement through music videos, panel discussion, and live performances by artists included in the seminal compilation album, Strength in NUMBERS, takes place on Saturday, November 14th at International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia at 9:00PM. Tickets are $8 General Admission and $6 Students/Seniors. Click here for tickets.
Guest curated by producer and emcee Scott CHOPS Jung (whose producer credits include Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj) of Philly’s legendary Mountain Brothers, the first Asian American Hip Hop group signed to a major record label.
Moderator:
Dr. James Peterson
Director of Africana Studies and Associate Professor of English, Lehigh University, James is also Founder of Hip Hop Scholars, Inc and a frequent Guest Commentator on MSNBC and CNN.
Panelists:
Scott CHOPS Jung
Mountain Brothers, Producer and Emcee
Chris PERIL-L Wang
Mountain Brothers, Emcee
Steve STYLES INFINITE Wei
Mountain Brothers, Emcee
Catzie Vilayphonh
Yellow Rage, Spoken Word Artist
Live Performances By:
Rekstizzy
Ann One
JL Jupiter
Joanlee
Featured artists in music video program:
Mountain Brothers
Paul Kim & Dumbfoundead
Bambu & Rocky Rivera
Rekstizzy
Ann One
Level, Rob Campman, & Lil Crazed
Mic Barz & Timothy Flu
Drunken Tiger & Yoon Mi Rae
*Ticket purchase includes FREE Strength In NUMBERS poster to be collected at the venue
Click here for the PAAFF Program and here to purchase tickets.
The 2015 Festival is presented by Comcast NBC10 Telemundo72 Comcast Spectator; and made possible through the generosity of Premier Sponsor Aetna; Founding Sponsor HBO; Partner Sponsors Wells Fargo, PHLDiversity, Pennsylvania Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs, and Samuel S. Fels Fund; and Prime Sponsors PECO, Jefferson Health, Pacific Islanders in Communications, Greater Philadelphia Asian Studies Consortium, Allstate, and Hepatitis B Foundation.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) is the first and only event of its kind in Philadelphia, bringing in audience members from all over the region and Asian American filmmakers, actors, and leaders, from around the world. The festival also hosts numerous screenings year-round independently and in partnership with regional arts and community organizations.
PAAFF’s parent organization, Philadelphia Asian American Film & Filmmakers, is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 to showcase films by and about Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans for the city of Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia region. They aim to present captivating programs that engage, inspire, and connect our community both to one another and the non-Asian mainstream.
For more information about PAAFF’15 visit phillyasianfilmfest.org and follow on social media @paaff or #PAAFF15.
Up in the Clouds, a delightful animated short written and directed by Ed Moy, and featuring the voices of Katherine Park (Red Dress) and Raymond Ma (The Muppets, Horrible Bosses 2, and Lethal Weapon 4), will have its East Coast premiere screening as an Official Selection of The 2015 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF15) on Friday, November 20th at 5:00pm, in the Animation Shorts Program at Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Click here to RSVP.
Katherine Sui Fun Cheung in pilot’s gear kickstarting propeller c1930’s. Photo courtesy of Dottie Leschenko.
Produced by Ed Moy and Timothy Tau, the inspiration for Up in the Clouds is Chinese aviatrix Katherine Sui Fun Cheung, who became one of the first Chinese women pilots to earn a license to fly in the United States.
Cheung is honored with a plaque at LAX’s Flight Path as the first licensed Asian Aviatrix in the United States, recognized with a plaque at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, Disney’s Soarin’ over California and in the Smithsonian.
Up in the Clouds. Illustrated by Ruby Chen
Up in the Clouds was originally conceived as black and white animatic style sketches illustrating Katherine’s story of falling in love with flying while learning to drive a car with her dad next to a dusty airfield in Los Angeles.
Up in the Clouds. Illustrated by Ruby Chen
Ruby Chen’s hand drawn illustrations features 1920’s period cars and planes in a cartoon style meets modern anime caricature, which visual effects editor Chris Trinh animated with motion and movement.
Up in the Clouds. Illustrated by Ruby Chen
Additional production credits include David Cu (sound and music editor), Nicole Echegoyen (graphic artist) and Birdie Sawyer (trailer video editor). Additional funding was provided by executive producer Tau for the color illustrations, and by Moy for the colorized cartoon.
Up in the Clouds. Illustrated by Ruby Chen
Edmund Moy (director, producer, writer)
Ed Moy is an award-winning journalist. His series of feature news articles about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training fundraising programs helped raise awareness for their mission while touching the lives of thousands of readers and earned him their National Print Media Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Moy is currently working on an Aviatrix documentary film and web series project about Chinese women aviators of the 1930s. He was also co-writer on director Timothy Tau’s award-winning short film Keye Luke about the life of pioneering Asian American actor Keye Luke. It won an Audience Award at the 2014 Hollyshorts Film Festival and was nominated for Best Short Film at the 2013 Dragon*Con Short Film Fest. http://www.aviatrixmovie.org
Katherine Park (daughter)
Born in Framingham Massachusetts, Katherine Park is an actor, alternative singer-songwriter, photographer, cosplay cover model, and teacher. Like Katherine Sui Fun Chung, she grew up studying music at the conservatory level. She was lead vocalist for indie rock darlings The Jumblies before impressing San Francisco casting director Nina Henninger, and director Evan Cecil, who casted her as comic book heroine Giselle Grey in Image Comic’s comic book series Carbon Grey. She has also appeared on HBO, Investigation Discovery, The Biography Channel, Hulu, My TV New England, and Amazon. Park performs at music festivals in San Francisco, including ULUV 2013, and the Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration. She will portray the young Katherine Sui Fun Chung in the upcoming documentary film and web series: Aviatrix. www.katherinepark.com @katherinepark
Raymond Ma (father)
Raymond Ma On House, M.D. Raymond Ma portrayed Nicole’s biological father Wu Zheng in the Season 5 episode “Birthmarks.”
Ma has had featured roles in Dharma & Greg, Old School, Starsky & Hutch, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Boston Legal,Crash and The Muppets. He will portray Katherine Sui Fun Cheung’s father Harry Cheung in the upcoming Aviatrix documentary film and web series.
David Cu (editor, sound editor)
David Cu is a composer, sound designer, and editor for film, television, games, and more. He studied at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media.
Katherine Park and Ed Moy on the red carpet at the 2015 San Jose International Short Film Festival on October 23, 2015. Photo courtesy of Ed Moy
Up in the Clouds has screened at the 2015 Catalina Film Festival, 2015 San Jose International Short Film Festival, 2015 Miami Independent Film Festival, 2015 Hollyshorts – Monthly Screening Series and 2015 Asians On Film – Best Animation Summer Quarter.
This FREE shorts program at #PAAFF15 offers a diverse selection of animated shorts that stretch the limits of the imagination. Animaton styles include CGI, watercolor, ink, and claymation.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) is the first and only event of its kind in Philadelphia, bringing in audience members from all over the region and Asian American filmmakers, actors, and leaders, from around the world. The festival also hosts numerous screenings year-round independently and in partnership with regional arts and community organizations.
PAAFF’s parent organization, Philadelphia Asian American Film & Filmmakers, is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 to showcase films by and about Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans for the city of Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia region. Their mission is to present captivating programs that engage, inspire, and connect our community both to one another and the non-Asian mainstream.
Manislam | Norway | 62 minutes | @ 6:00PM
Sneak Preview of “Dollface” | US | 5 minutes | @ 7:15PM
Mariam | France | 43 minutes | @7:30PM
WAXING | US | 43 minutes | @ 8:25PM
A Queer Country | United Kingdom | 73 minutes | @ 9:20PM
Anna Suzuki
Jennifer MacMillan
Christina May
Moderator- Melissa Kim
There will be a 5 minute performance piece to Cabinet Battle #2from “Hamilton” the musical by Kayla O’Donnell before the films.
Peace of Mind Guaranteed | USA | 10 minutes
Step 9 | USA | 13 minutes
Texting: A Love Story | USA | 8 minutes
Another Time | USA | 25 minutes
Animal Profiles | USA | 7 minutes
Hacktivists | USA | 10 minutes
My Brother’s Stocking | USA | 2 minutes
How is How | USA | 7 minutes
Farewell my Bird | USA | 22 minutes
Game On! | USA | 15 minutes
David Dunn, Executive Producer/Director and Co-founder of All Ages Productions
Maureen Schultz, Owner/Executive Producer, Sweet Spots Productions
Aaron Spence, Chief Business Development Officer for BoatHouse Pictures
Jacqui Sadashige, Senior Lecturer for the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania
Gender Journeys: More Than a Pronoun | USA | 90 minutes | @ 5:30PM
Truthful Innards | USA | 4 minutes
Malefemale | USA | 9 minutes
Carefree | USA | 22 minutes
Mom’s Wedding | Canada | 12 minutes
The Hurtin’ One | Canada | 3 minutes
Roubado | France | 18 minutes
Rajakumaran (Prince) | India | 15 minutes
Barrio Dos: Pintados | Philippines | 4 minute
The Guard | Italy | 5 minutes
The Saver | Canada| 88 minutes | @ 8:50PM
UnSlut: A Documentary Film | Canada | 38 minutes | @11:15AM
Moms and Meds: Navigating Pregnancy & Psychiatric Medication | USA | 54 minutes | @11:55AM
Breath of Clay | France | 17 minutes | Directed by Sandra Formatger Garcia
Bryn | USA | 9 minutes | Directed by Marc Menish
Hide and Seek | USA | 4 minutes | Directed by Garth Kravits
Santo, A Dance Narrative on Domestic Violence | USA | 11 minutes | Directed by Stephanie Ramones
Bev's Girl Films 