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
On Wednesday, May 11, 2016, Bev’s Girl Films’ Hide and Seek starring Lia Chang and Garth Kravits, will be among six short films screened by Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. at Drexel University for their Asian American Women Movie Night to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
The Asian American Student Association of Drexel University tapped the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival’s (PAAFF) Women’s Shorts Program featured in 2015 at Asian Arts Initiative, to screen in the Drexel University Library room L33, 3300 Market Street in Philadelphia, PA, from 5:30-7PM.
The event is free and open to the public, with food provided by the Student Center for Inclusion and Culture of Drexel University.
Each of the six short films was either produced by women, star women in central roles, or deals with women issues. After the screening, there will be a Q & A session with two of the local filmmakers: Pheng Tang and Eiko Fan.
Split End, directed by Eddie Shieh
A young, single woman bored with her social life caters a party for a beautiful couple and meets the charismatic husband, who is also looking for something new.
Romaine, directed by Eiko Fan
A short doc about Romaine Samworth who, despite being blind for over 85 years, uses vibrant colors to tell personal stories through sculpture.
Hide and Seek, directed by Garth Kravits
A model struggles with her self image on account of Western-centric perceptions of beauty.
How is How, directed by Pheng H. Tang
While going through a career transition, a single Chinese immigrant mother becomes out of sorts with her life.
When Mom Visits, directed by Chiung-Wen Chang
A USA based Taiwanese lesbian reconnects with her conservative mother, who pays an abrupt visit from Taiwan.
America 1979, directed by Lila Yomtoom
With political tensions high during the Iran Hostage Crisis, an Iranian American girl struggles to find her identity in small-town America.
For more information, you can contact Xintong Chen, the current cultural and educational chair of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc. at Drexel University at syz.mesmeric@gmail.com.
About the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF)
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 is now accepting submissions for the 2016 Festival which runs from November 10-20, 2016. Click here for more details on how to submit your film for consideration.
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
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 is also an internationally published and exhibited photographer, a multi-platform journalist, and a publicist. 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 profiled in Examiner.com, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
Bev’s Girl Films’ Hide and Seek starring Lia Chang and Garth Kravits, will have its Philadelphia premiere as an Official Selection at The 2015 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF15) on Saturday, November 21, 2015 in the Women’s Shorts Program at Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 at 2:15pm.
Each of the films in this FREE program of shorts was either produced by women, star women in central roles, or deal with women’s issues. Garth and I will be in attendance for the Q & A.
Click here to RSVP.
Click here for more information.
Click here for a map to the Asian Arts Initiative.
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
Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and the Arts and Entertainment reporter for AsAmNews.com. 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 FebOne1960.com Blog, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
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.
HIDE AND SEEK, my award-winning short film that I co-produced, co-wrote and star in with my Bev’s Girl Films’ producing partner Garth Kravits, will have its Philadelphia premiere as an Official Selection at The 2015 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF15).
The 2015 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival will be held from November 12-22, 2015. HIDE AND SEEK will screen as part of the Women’s Shorts program on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Click here for scheduling updates.
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?
Lia Chang and Garth Kravits in Hide and Seek. Photo by Evan Daves
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
Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and the Arts and Entertainment reporter for AsAmNews.com. 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 FebOne1960.com Blog, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
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. 
