The 8th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival will be October 11-18, 2007. Mark your calendars for another 8 days of cinema in the sun.

Important Dates

• Early Entry Deadline: April 13 ($25)
• Final Entry Deadline: June 15 ($35)
• Festival: October 11-18

Enter your film using our easy online entry form.

The San Diego Asian Film Festival wraps its seventh year at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinema at Hazard Center. During one of San Diego’s largest Pan Asian cultural events, an estimated 13,000 attendees came out October 12-19, 2006 to experience more than 130 films and videos from over 15 countries, plus celebrity panels, and parties.

"We are thrilled with the turnout," said Lee Ann Kim, executive director and founder of the film festival. "We had more sold-out shows than ever before, which proves we are providing this community with a valuable cultural experience while connecting them to amazingly, talented filmmakers and artists."

Winners of the competitive portion of the festival were announced during the star-studded annual Awards Gala on October 14. Top filmmakers were presented with awards by several Asian American celebrities, including actors Daniel Dae Kim, Ming-Na, Grace Park, Dustin Nguyen and Roger Fan.

Los Angeles-based filmmaker Ham Tran took highest honors with the $1000 Grand Jury Prize from EAfter Productions. His debut film "Journey from the Fall" chronicles the experiences of boat people after the fall of Saigon. In his reaction to the award, Tran stated that it is "more than just recognition. For an independent film such as this, it’s a priceless seal that will help spread the word to the Asian and non-Asian community to help support and show interest in the film’s theatrical release next spring."

Best Narrative Feature went to Julia Kwan’s "Eve & the Fire Horse," a Canadian film about two sisters exploring their faith. Best Feature Documentary was received by longtime filmmaker Robert Richter whose film, "Last Atomic Bomb" follows a survivor of the Nagasaki bombing whose life mission is to end nuclear weapons. A Special Jury award was given to Richard Wong’s "Colma: The Musical," the first Asian American musical. In the short film categories, Matthew Swanson’s "Hiro" took Best Short Narrative; Youngwoon Jang’s "Mirage" won for Best Short Animation; Shon Kim’s "Latent Sorrow" won Best Short Experimental; and Chris Deaner’s "Steal the Blueprints" won for Best Music Video.

This year’s record-breaking attendance led to several sold out programs and panels, including opening and closing night films and the festival’s inaugural music event Blowfish which featured live performances by Asian American artists. "Over 400 people attended," stated Associate Festival Director George Lin, "Everyone had a great time and we look forward to continuing Blowfish and moving it to a larger venue."

A 9:30 screening of "Always - Sunset on Third Street" has been added for those of you who were unable to get tickets to the sold-out first screening. The 9:30 screening will be at UltraStar Cinemas and tickets are $7.

"Always - Sunset on Third Street"

The final day of the 7th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival has arrived after a week full of meaningful films, slapstick shorts, thought-provoking panel discussions, celebrity encounters, and plenty of parties. Join us tonight for the west coast premiere of the nostalgic Japanese blockbuster, "Always - Sunset on Third Street." The optimistic and visually lavish film set in post-war Tokyo is a heartwarming tale perfect for the whole family.

This film may sell out, so arrive early to get a seat. Stay for the reception immediately following the film. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided.

"Animation: The Illusion of Life"

"Citizen Dog"

Tonight is your last chance to see what Sam Chen, SDAFF Artistic Programmer, calls the strongest collection of animation in the festival's history. "Animation: The Illusion of Life" begins at 7:00. Bursting with exuberance and color, the Thai film, "Citizen Dog," is a visual treat. "Be with Me," another staff favorite, is a tapestry of stories woven around the themes of love, hope and destiny.

"Gift of Barong"

If you missed out on tickets to the sold-out screening of "The Gift of Barong" at 7:30, then stick around for the second screening at 9:30.

What started innocently enough through participation in a Filipino town fiesta in South San Francisco and the accidental viewing of himself in a mirror wearing a barong tagalong (traditional Filipino shirt), caused a major awakening in Dan Moreno. This awakening eventually creates a strong desire in Dan, a Filipino American surfer living in California, to rediscover what it means to be Filipino.

"Be With Me" on Wednesday, Oct 18 at 8:00 PM.

This year's must-see films at the San Diego Asian Film Festival were reviewed by Sam Chen (artistic programmer for the San Diego Asian Film Festival), Scott Marks (film critic for the Gay and Lesbian Times), and Beth Accomando (KPBS film critic) on KPBS Radio's "Film Club of the Air."

Click on the links below to listen to the interviews. To download, right-click and select "Save Link As."

Part 1: "Three Times" by Hou Hsiao-Hsien ( 6:28 | mp3 | 2.6 MB )
Part 2: Reviewer's Top Picks for SDAFF 2006 ( 4:06 | mp3 | 1.7 MB )

The entire "Film Club of the Air" program from October 12 is available here.

SDAFF 2006 continues with $7 tickets for the remainder of the festival (excluding closing night film "Always - Sunset on Third Street" on Thursday, October 19). Now is your chance to catch all the films you missed the first time around, including SDAFF 2006 award winners.

X. Dean Lim received his $1,000 prize at the gala awards dinner. (Photo by Jose Bucud)

Anheuser-Busch selected X. Dean Lim's 30-second commercial titled "Asking Permission" as the winning Michelob Light Flick. Dean was awarded $1,000 from the San Diego Asian Film Foundation during the gala awards dinner on Saturday, October 14.

The winner by popular vote goes to Touchblue's "Something for Everyone."

Congratulations to our 6 finalists:
- Geekstar Films, "Taiko"
- Touchblue's "Something for Everyone"
- Fernando Huerto's "Like Movies?"
- Christine Simpson's "True Love"
- Tonaci Tran's "Deliver This"
- Dean Lim's winning entry "Asking Permission"

Watch all of the Michelob Light Flicks 2006 entries.

"Asian Americans in Hollywood: A Celebrity Panel"

"Reel Voices - Teen Producers Project"

"Slanted Screen"

"Little Fish"

SDAFF 2006 goes global on Day Four with "Mongolian Ping Pong" (China), "Be With Me" (Singapore), "Little Fish" (Australia), "Citizen Dog" (Thailand), "The Great Yokai War" (Japan), and "Eve and the Fire Horse" (Canada). But first, start off with local San Diego talent in the "Reel Voices - Teen Producers Project." This free event showcases seven short documentaries produced by high school students selected for SDAFF's summer film program.

Meet Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park, Roger Fan, Roger Fan, Jelynn Rodriguez, Dustin Nguyen, and James Kyson Lee at "Asian Americans in Hollywood: A Celebrity Panel".

On the day after a long night of karaoke nothing beats mom's rice porridge. When that's not available, laughter is the best medicine. "Mighty Warriors of Comedy" is a rousing introduction to one of the most devastatingly funny comedy troupes of the past decade, the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors (18MMW), an audacious Asian American sketch comedy troupe hailing from San Francisco. "Chop Schticks" is a collection of comedic and slapstick shorts sure to tickle your funny bone.

View the schedule for film showtimes and descriptions.

"Waterborne"

"American Fusion"

"Red Doors"

Avoid the rain by spending today at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. Day Three of the festival is packed with Asian American films, international cinema, and celebrity panel discussions.

With recent blockbusters "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" and "Annapolis" under his belt, it's no secret that Justin Lin is a hot commodity in Hollywood. The "Better Luck Tomorrow" director will discuss achieving mainstream success without sacrificing accurate representation of Asian Americans on the big screen. Join us for a Q&A with Grace Park and a special screening of "Battlestar Galactica: The Story So Far." Hear the Korean Canadian actress give the inside scoop on BSG and life outside of being Lieutenant Sharon "Boomer" Valerii.

View the schedule for film showtimes and descriptions.

Get the down low

View the photo gallery

SDAFF Down Low takes you behind the scenes for some fresh perspectives on the 7th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival. The first installments of short videos capture the spirit of the festival and audience reactions to the powerful opening night film, "Journey from the Fall." Check out the photo gallery for the latest sights at SDAFF 2006.

"Puzzlehead"

"Asian Stories (Book 3)"

"Colma: The Musical"

Friday the 13th may bring bad luck, but not bad movies. Embrace the eerie with "Puzzlehead," a film that follows a reclusive scientist who secretly creates a self-aware android in a world that has been depopulated. Based on an ancient folk tale, "Ghost of Mae Nak," is the latest entry from the burgeoning Thai horror genre.

If you're not in the mood to be scared straight, then check out "Almost Normal: Life in Queer Shorts," a collection of short films that explore the nuances of queer identity. "Asian Stories (Book 3)" is a quirky romantic comedy that tells the story of Jim, a young close-fisted Chinese American who finds himself abandoned by his fiancée two weeks before Valentine's Day. Amusing and affectionate, "Colma: The Musical" is a love song to the city, and to the residents who dream of a better (and more musical) life. Follow the music downtown to Blowfish, the SDAFF Friday night party featuring live performances by Far*East Movement, Karmacy, and Koba & DJ Boo.

A look at some of SDAFF's best and brightest in its first days

By Charles Nguyen

The San Diego Asian Film Festival is grappling with the same question that curses every Asian entertainment complex: how do you represent all Asians in one sweep?

Or maybe it's a blessing, since SDAFF's seventh outing still manages to present one of the widest swaths of Asian cultures, problems, solutions and anecdotes in the indie-fest circuit.

Meet "Better Luck Tomorrow" director Justin Lin on Saturday, October 14

The film festival's first day, usually one of the biggest for cinema-hungry patrons, opens with "Journey from the Fall" -- a heart-wrenched retelling of the post-war Vietnamese experience through the eyes of an internment camp victim. The sold-out show also features a Q&A session with the film's stars and director.

"My Boss, My Teacher" also shows on Thursday, bringing the Korean blockbuster -- a comedy that delves into the country's social backdrop -- to the States.

Other Thursday showings include "Beauty Remains," which echoes the allure of such classics as "Raise the Red Lantern," with this drama also exploring sex- and love-spats within a family. The intense plot finds estranged sisters vying for one man in the midst of 1950s China.

Lastly, the tale of "Stranger of Mine" ends the first SDAFF day with a bang -- or five. A quintet of viewpoints make up this romance-on-steroids, with a detective, Yakuza boss, con-woman and two love-sick romantics set on a crash course set in one day.

If you'd rather have Hollywood in lieu of indie, SDAFF is bringing the stars over the weekend. On Saturday, Justin Lin -- fresh from the helm of "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" and "Annapolis" -- will reunite with another SDAFF-veteran, Roger Fan, to share his experience breaking into mainstream film. Following Lin will be a panel with Grace Park, the bombshell that plays Lieutenant Sharon "Boomer" Valerii on the hit sci-fi series "Battlestar Galactica." On Sunday, SDAFF will hold its staple "Celebrity Panel," which this year include Daniel Dae Kim, Roger Fan, Sung Kang, James Kyson Lee, Dustin Nguyen, Grace Park and Jelynn Rodriguez.

For the 21-and-uppers, don't forget the party tomorrow night with "Blowfish: An Intersection of Sights and Sound" at downtown San Diego's Luna Lounge. The event will showcase live acts by Far*East Movement, Karmacy, Koba & DJ Boo and others.

"Beauty Remains"

"My Boss My Teacher"

"Stranger of Mine"

Tonight opens with "Journey from the Fall," Ham Tran's award-winning drama about the countless lives forever changed by the fall of Saigon during the Vietnam War. If you were unable to get tickets to the sold-out screening of "Journey from the Fall," there are three other international films showing on day one of the festival.

"My Boss My Teacher" achieved huge box office success in Korea by using comedy to explore deep issues affecting the Korean society. Set in 1948 in Qingdao, China against a backdrop of the rise of communism, "Beauty Remains" tells the story of two sisters – Fei and Ying – separated by the dictates of custom but bound together by the will of their recently deceased father. Skillfully creating a thrilling and heartwarming tale of fate, the Japanese film, "Stranger of Mine," delivers an innovative love story that comically depicts the innocence of men and the tenacity of women.

The festival is only one week away. Get your discounted tickets, all-festival passes, and festival 4-packs before online sales end on Sunday, October 8 at 11:59 PM. After that, tickets will be available for purchase at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas box office at Hazard Center.

Browse the schedule by genre if you're having trouble choosing from over 130 short and feature films.

(photo by Jose Bucud, goguysshow.com)

Thanks to everyone who came to our first SDAFF event at the W Hotel last night. The weather was perfect, the films were fun, and the crowd was gorgeous. We hope to see you all again at the festival, October 12-19.

Daniel Dae Kim

Ming-Na

In addition to our star-studded panels with Justin Lin and Grace Park, the list of celebrities coming to SDAFF 2006 continues to grow.

Lost heartthrob Daniel Dae Kim just joined the Asian Americans in Hollywood panel on Sunday, October 15. Ming-Na will present Kieu Chinh with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the SDAFF gala awards dinner on October 14.

Party with SDAFF at our inaugural music and video showcase.

Kick off SDAFF 2006 at Luna Lounge on Friday, October 13 at BLOWFISH: An Intersection of Sights and Sounds. The party will feature hip hop performers, Karmacy, Far*East Movement, Koba, DJs, and music videos. Click here for more information and tickets.
posted at 7:15pm

by Lee Ann Kim, SDAFF Executive Director

SDAFF programming posse: Sam Chen, Michael Chen, George Lin, Lee Ann Kim, Mye Hoang, and Gene Huh

As we launch our seventh season, we are reminded of just how lucky we are to host our beloved film festival in sunny San Diego. This year our Foundation’s family expanded with new board members and new faces on our programming staff. We welcome our new Associate Director Mye Hoang (a former Texan) and Programming Director, Gene Huh (from Washington, D.C.). And like Hollywood, we’ve also experienced a baby boom at our Foundation with no less than five new babies, and our first SDAFF wedding (congrats Steve Lukas and Sophia Nguyen, who met while volunteering four years ago)!

"Eve and the Fire Horse"

Similarly, our feature film selections have grown this year, making 2006 our most exciting season. From our dramatic opening night film, "Journey from the Fall," which received standing ovations at Sundance, you will find more Asian American and international features than ever before. The stories are as diverse as the genres. In fact, we are presenting our first Asian American musical, "Colma: The Musical," which has been seizing awards at film festivals across the nation. If you’re in the mood for sci-fi, check out "Puzzlehead" by James Bai, perfect for Friday the 13th. We also take you down under, to Sydney, Australia’s Little Saigon district in "Little Fish," starring our good friend Dustin Nguyen, who plays the love interest of Cate Blanchett. Director Julia Kwan also returns to the SDAFF in her must-see Asian Canadian feature, "Eve & the Fire Horse."

"Be With Me"

Our programming staff has sacrificed many days at the beach to recruit and sift through hundreds of potential films, including many international features. Among them, our heartwarming closing night film, "Always - Sunset on Third Street," which won 13 categories in Japan’s Academy Awards. (Be sure to bring tissue!) Other must-sees include the visually stunning Thai version of "Amelie," "Citizen Dog;" the quiet and touching Singaporean drama "Be With Me;" or for a truly different adventure, "The Great Yokai War." Action fans won’t be disappointed with South Korea’s dark revenge feature "A Bittersweet Life," which garnered rave reviews at Cannes or the beautiful ninja film, "Shinobi."

Of course, we have a stellar line-up of short films programs, documentaries, and panel discussions as well. Frankly, it’s hard to pick just one, so we hope you take the time to read through the descriptions and try something new. Expand your mind.

Finally, I want to personally thank our filmmakers, board, staff, volunteers, sponsors, grantors, loyal patrons, and first-time members of our Foundation. I consider you all part of our family, and you all own a piece of our success. Carpe Diem!

SDAFF Film Night at the W Hotel (PDF, 23 KB)

Join us at the W Hotel in downtown San Diego for an evening of short films from the festival circuit. Sip on cinematinis and take in the stunning view from the W's rooftop "beach."

When:
Thursday, September 28
Starts at 8 PM
You must be 21 or older to attend this event.

Where:
W Hotel's rooftop "beach"
421 West B Steet
San Diego, CA 92101
(map)

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The San Diego Asian Film Festival celebrates its seventh year at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinema at Hazard Center, October 12-19, 2006. During San Diego’s largest Pan Asian cultural event, an estimated 15,000 attendees will experience over 130 short and feature films from over 15 different countries including the U.S., Canada, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Mongolia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. This year marks the festival’s most competitive year for dramatic narrative feature length films, and boasts a record-number 13 Asian American feature film selections.

Opening night film: "Journey from the Fall"

There is something for everyone at this year’s festival, which opens with the award-winning drama from Sundance, "Journey from the Fall," chronicling a war-torn family’s exodus from Vietnam to America. The festival closes with the West Coast premiere of a heartwarming Japanese film, "Always - Sunset on Third Street." Set in 1950s Tokyo, "Always" is the winner of 13 Japanese Academy Awards. Other films include the charming, "Colma: The Musical," the action packed ninja film "Shinobi," the dark and grisly Korean gangster film from Cannes, "A Bittersweet Life," the art-house favorite "Three Times," anti-nuclear war documentary "Last Atomic Bomb," and the highly stylized Thai sensation "Citizen Dog." Seven short film programs include our popular animation program and "Reel Voices," a showcase of documentaries produced by local high school students.

Closing night film: "Always: Sunset on Third Street"

Patrons can also participate in panels, parties, and meet more than 100 filmmakers, actors, and industry guests. Top films will be awarded during a star-studded Gala Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 14 at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley. Vietnamese American actress Kieu Chinh (M*A*S*H, The Joy Luck Club, Journey from the Fall) will be presented a Lifetime Achievement Award. Other special guests scheduled or invited to attend include Dustin Nguyen (21 Jump Street, V.I.P, Little Fish), Ming-Na Wen (The Joy Luck Club, E.R., Vanished), Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), Sung Kang (The Motel, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) and Roger Fan (Better Luck Tomorrow, Annapolis).

Discounted tickets ($5-10) and all-festival passes will be available online starting in September. Otherwise, the public can buy tickets at the Hazard Center UltraStar Cinemas box office during the days of the festival. Prices range from $7-15. Group, student, and military discounts are available.

The San Diego Asian Film Festival is an event of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, a nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to promoting the Pan Asian experience through the media arts.