Celebrity Guests

Here is our growing list of distinguished guests scheduled to attend film screenings, panels, or the gala awards dinner.

Joan Chen, Lynn Chen and Michelle Krusiec, the glamorous stars of SAVING FACE, are scheduled to attend the Oct. 1 screening of the film.

JOAN CHEN
Joan Chen was born in Shanghai, China in 1961. She was selected for the Actor’s Training Program by the Shanghai Film Studio in 1975. Joan’s first starring role was in the movie YOUTH, directed by the famous veteran director Xie Jin. Her second film LITTLE FLOWER won her the Best Actress Award in China in 1980.

Joan left China for America in 1981 to study film making, and graduated with honors from California State University, Northridge. She began her U.S. acting career in 1985, when she played leading roles in TAIPAN, the academy award winning THE LAST EMPEROR, BLOOD OF HEROES, TURTLE BEACH, GOLDEN GATE and HEAVEN AND EARTH. Joan also starred as the enigmatic Josie Packard in the highly regarded David Lynch series “Twin Peaks.” In 1993, she returned to her hometown Shanghai and starred in Stanley Kwan’s RED ROSE, WHITE ROSE. Her role as the sultry Red Rose later won the Best Actress Award in Taiwan and Film Critics Award in Hong Kong.

In 1997 Joan made her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film XIU XIU, THE SENT-DOWN GIRL. The film was released internationally in May 1999 and has received numerous awards. In 2000, Joan was honored by the National Board or Review with the “International Freedom of Expression” award. In the same year, Joan was voted as one of the Ten Directors to Watch by Variety. Joan’s second effort behind the camera was MGM’s AUTUMN IN NEW YORK starring Richard Gere and Winona Ryder.

In 2003, Joan starred in the Chinese film JASMINE, a story of three generations of women in Shanghai from the 1930s to the 1980s. Later that year, she played the complex and fun character of Ma in a Sony Classic production, SAVING FACE, a film about a hilarious relationship of a Chinese mother and her American daughter. Joan has recently finished a leading role in another Chinese film SUNFLOWER, a family drama that spans from the 1970s to the present. JASMINE, SAVING FACE and SUNFLOWER will be released in 2005.

Joan lives in San Francisco with her husband, Dr. Peter Hui, and their two daughters.

LYNN CHEN
Lynn Chen received rave reviews for her leading role in Alice Wu's Sundance film, SAVING FACE. Lynn has played the recurring role of Regina on “All My Children” and guest-starred in three of the four “Law and Order” series.

Come see Lynn at our Asian Americans in Hollywood panel on Saturday, October 1 at 4:00pm.

DUSTIN NGUYEN
Dustin Nguyen has established himself as one of Hollywood's premiere Asian American actors, having starred on such hit shows as “21 Jump Street” and “V.I.P.” This Fall, Dustin stars in the Porchlight Films feature LITTLE FISH opposite Academy award-winner Cate Blanchett. He has also appeared on the big screen in HEAVEN AND EARTH, directed by Oliver Stone.

Dustin will be speaking at our Asian Americans in Hollywood panel.

ROGER FAN
Roger Fan is best known for his charismatic performance as “Daric Loo” in Justin Lin’s MTV Film, BETTER LUCK TOMORROW. Roger also co-produced, co-wrote, and starred in the racy short film, THE QUEST FOR LENGTH, a surprise hit of the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. Fan will soon be seen co-starring with James Franco in Justin Lin's first studio feature, ANNAPOLIS which recently wrapped production on the East Coast.

Meet Roger at our Asian Americans in Hollywood panel.

MICHELLE KRUSIEC
Michelle Krusiec began her career in Hollywood as host of “Travellers” for the Discovery Channel, then a series regular on NBC's Saturday morning series “One World.” Since then, Michelle has played a diverse range of roles on popular shows as “Cold Case,” “Without A Trace,” “E.R.,” and HBO’s dark comedy, “The Mind of a Married Man.” In her latest feature, she starred opposite Joan Chen in Alice Wu’s romantic comedy SAVING FACE which debuted at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival.

Find out more about Michelle and her career at our Asian Americans in Hollywood panel.

JASON SCOTT LEE
Best known for his amazing physique and uncanny portrayal of Bruce Lee in DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY, Jason Scott Lee is one of the few Asian American actors who have played numerous leading roles. See him in his latest film, ONLY THE BRAVE, on Thursday, October 6. Jason Scott Lee is also part of our Asian Americans in Hollywood panel.

KARIN ANNA CHEUNG
Karin Anna Cheung is best known for her performance as the sweet "Stephanie" in the MTV Film, BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, directed by Justin Lin. As part of the BLT cast, she's traveled to film festivals across the U.S. and appeared in numerous magazines. She is also a musician and songwriter.

JANE LUI
With unconventional instruments such as tablas, toy piano, harp, harpsichord, pipe organ pedals, brass, & strings, Jane Lui creates a storybook that has a life of its own. Teargirl, her debut album, was released on May 17, 2005.

Jane will be performing at our gala awards dinner on Friday, September 30.