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Lee Ann Kim, Executive Director
After more than a dozen years as an Emmy Award-winning news journalist for KGTV, the ABC station in San Diego, Lee Ann turned in her anchor-helmet to take on the San Diego Asian Film Foundation as a full-time executive director. (You can watch Lee Ann's goodbye on her last show on KGTV here), and now she's REALLY making the big bucks in the non-profit world. She's earned her film fest exec stripes as an honoree by Project Concern International for her work in to improve the lives of South Asians through the media arts; she recently received an excellence award at the 2008 International Film Festival Summit; and is an nominee to serve on the board of CONVIS. Besides her uncanny ability to remember random lyrics to cheesy 80s songs, she loves to spend time being a mom. A fierce fighter for Asian America, Lee Ann's passion also lies within the people of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, which she considers her extended family (cue sappy Air Supply song here). Astrological signs: Dog, Virgo Myers-Briggs Personality: ESFJ |
Mye Hoang, Associate Director
A "Vietnamese-Texan," Mye is the founder of the Asian Film Festival of Dallas where she was born and raised. After living in New York, where she was mugged and loved by many, Mye decided to settle down in San Diego in pursuit of a more mellow life and an even tan. She has a soft spot for sweets, boba, Hello Kitty, The Smiths, cute boys and fast cars. She is also an aspiring filmmaker, artist and Asian film aficionado. Mye may be tiny in stature, but her knowledge and passion for film is GIANT. Astrological signs: Scorpio/Dragon (So watch out!) Myers-Briggs Personality: INFJ |
Phil Luque, Operations Director
Born and raised in Miami on Cuban coffee and speedos, Phil found himself restocking music store shelves and waiting tables while pursuing his dreams to be Antonio Banderas' body double. He traded in his acting dreams for the high seas and joined the Navy, serving four years and three deployments. After traveling the world, he ended up in San Diego where he worked for the Media Arts Center, the Padres, and now the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, where he sings karaoke, eats spicy kimchee-bowl noodles, and serves our martial artist-in-residence (aka Lee Ann's body guard). Astrological signs: Cancer, Rabbit Myers-Briggs Personality: ENFJ |
Daniel Matthews, Marketing Coordinator
Daniel Matthews is a recent graduate of San Diego State University. He had the pleasure of majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in event planning. Through the San Diego Asian Film Foundation his passion for Asian American entertainment and awareness has been fulfilled. His long term goals are to be involved with Asian American media or entertainment of some kind. Either that or a spaceman. Please contact him if you would like to help out with the Street Team or Marketing in anyway. Astrological signs: Gemini Myers-Briggs Personality: ENTJ |
Gene Huh, Programmer
Gene is yet another member of the SDAFF staff who made
the move out to San Diego from Washington, DC. In DC,
Gene worked as an IT consultant and the Director of
Programming for the DC Asian Pacific American Film
Festival. Now that he is finally free of life "inside
the Beltway," toiling away on never-ending government
projects, Gene seeks to spend his free time enjoying
the beautiful weather in SD, watching a lot of film,
and continuing his martial arts training. Astrological signs: Boar, Scorpio |
Sam Chen, Artistic & Animation Programmer
Sam Chen started his misguided young adulthood by majoring in Computer Science and Engineering at UCLA. Since then, he has had 3 successful lobotomies to reverse the extensive damage done from years of technical lectures. Now, he can't solve a differential equation to save his own hide. He has since traded in his HP scientific calculator for a beret and fake mustache in order to more effectively pursue his passion for filmmaking, art, music, photography, and animation. For now, he's masquerading as an indie filmmaker/animator working on highbrow projects about obscure modern artists. To see his latest disillusionment, click here. Astrological signs: Aquarius, Monkey |
Michael Chen, Programmer
A good ol' Midwestern boy, Michael Chen traded in his Cheesehead hat in Packerland for a speedo. While his blood has thinned, he still enjoys paper snowflakes, cheese curds, country music, and Miller beer. In other words, he's in dire need of rediscovering his heritage. Michael works as a reporter for KGTV (starring as Lee Ann's long-lost brother on Sunday nights), and willfully joins the programming team in exchange for shrimp chips. Warning: he's tragic on the karaoke mic. Astrological signs: Cancer, Tiger |
Mark Gadia, Volunteer Coordinator
It all started when Mark picked up an SDAFF postcard at the 2005 Comic-Con. Little did he know that picking up that postcard would change his life. With his curiosity piqued, he ventured into a bizarre fantasy land called the San Diego Asian Film Festival where he could watch all the coolest Asian and Asian American films. But like an addict, he got hooked after only one film, and no matter how many times SDAFF tried, they couldn't keep him away. Many moons have come and gone since then and now he serves as the SDAFF's new Volunteer Co-Coordinator organizing and preparing a vast army of volunteers for their fantastic adventures ahead! Astrological signs: Scorpio, Rooster Myers-Briggs Personality: ISTJ |
Julie Zhan, Volunteer Coordinator
Julie immigrated from Guangzhou, China at the tender age of age seven to a strange new world of hamburgers, sit-down toilets, and the English language. Beyond the Golden Arches in America, she discovered a passion for dance, theater, film, and everything artsy. In high school, she joined the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, co-founded a dance academy, and proudly holds the title of "Most Likely to Stalk Jackie Chan". Torn between a million dreams at UCSD, she switched majors from dance (prima ballerina) to aerospace engineering (astronaut) to business (creative and executive director). Random facts: cried when she saw Jackie Chan in concert, can naturally write backwards with her left hand, lover of chubby animals (especially hamsters), terrible driver. She joined SDAFF when she discovered that it embodied everything she stood for. Astrological signs: Gemini, Dragon Myers-Briggs Personality: ENFD |
Joseph Balan, Street Team Coordinator
A math teacher in the inner city, Joseph enjoys candle lit dinners and long walks on the beach. He was a cheerleader in his college days at San Diego State University, which was his way of battling his shyness and fear of public speaking. His career in MMA was cut short by an injury, but leaves with an undefeated record. (0-0) He has studied four languages - one of which was related to his involvement in SDAFF. Astrological signs: Taurus Myers-Briggs Personality: ESTJ |
Steve Lukas, Technology Director
Steve was bitten by a radioactive rabbit and has since gained the proportionate luck of a hare. Ask why he has three TV's in his living room or what it's like to stay a weekend at the Playboy Mansion to get an idea. His name is Lukas and he used to live on the second floor. A former artist and web designer, Steve now tests his Luk developing software. In real life he scales indoor rock walls and makes ice cream, in that order. Astrological signs: Pisces, Rabbit Myers-Briggs Personality: ESFP |
Catherine C. Jaravata, Guest Services Coordinator
This movie loving Pinay is in her sixth year with the stupendous SDAFF. Applauded for her Guest Services skills and hospitality, she takes on a new and improved meaning to social butterfly. Always referred to as a sweet and down to earth gal, Catherine is passionate about Asian American issues that she instills daily to her high school students, of whom she teaches the Filipino language and/or advises. Catherine is married to her longtime love of 12.5 years, Ashley (whom she also recruited to SDAFF). Most importantly, Catherine and Ashley are parents to their BebeGirl, Nakia Jordan and Kyan Xander. Astrological signs: Tiger, Cancer |
Duke Tran, Community Outreach Coordinator
Duke has a career in biotech, but lives out his dream of working in the film industry by serving as the SDAFF Community Outreach Coordinator in his spare time. When not working or traveling, he can often be found fishing on Shelter Island, or watching a foreign or independent film at a local theater. In case you were wondering, he wasn't named after John Wayne. If you belong to a community organization, or have events or programs that you would like the SDAFF to know about, please feel free to contact Duke. Astrological signs: Wood Tiger, Libra Myers-Briggs Personality: INFJ |
Mike Watson, Reel Voice Coordinator
Hailing from Denver, Mike came to San Diego to escape traffic jams and cold winters. (50% is better than nothing, eh?) He is a natural-born storyteller, and has a passion for documentaries. His day job involves shooting and editing, but his creative release is working with the students of Reel Voices. Named an "honorary Asian" after joining SDAFF in 2007, Mike prides himself on being able to eat any free food provided at the festival, including sushi (yum) as well as mystery chips that only have writing in a language that he doesn't speak. Mike holds the 2009 record for most ChocoPies eaten in one sitting. Astrological signs: Saggatarious, Dragon Myers-Briggs Personality: ISTJ |
Jennifer Lo, Entry & Traffic Coordinator
This Jenny from the Block claims to be the real "J-Lo." Following the gigantic footsteps of her cousin Yao, she moved to the U.S. to become the next WNBA player. When she realized there wasn't as much money in women's sports, she decided to pursue a career in the lucrative field of bowling. She still remains active in amateur basketball leagues around San Diego, proving that "Chinese Women Can Jump." In the meantime, J-Lo is finishing her linguistics degree at SDSU and testing her organizational skills as the new Entry and Trafficking Coordinator at the SDAFF. Astrological signs: Cancer, Dog |
Chris Paffendorf, Production Coordinator
Despite his round eyes and pale skin, Paff's a refreshing and diversifying addition to our cult - uh, festival posse. His appreciation and knowledge of Asian cinema and film in general make him a good adoptive match with our SDAFF programming family. (Now if we could only get him to enjoy sushi.) When he's not working as an electronics technician, or trying to sell Lee Ann and Arnold on the merits of Asian horror flicks, you can find him ardently cheering on the New Jersey Devils, "sampling" microbrews, or desperately trying to stay on key in his Japanese chorus. Astrological signs: Sheep, Gemini Myers-Briggs Personality: ISTP |
Anthony Noceda, Facilities Co-Coordinator
Born in Michigan, raised in San Diego, standing at 5'4" tall and weighing in at 125 lbs, this former ISKA Amateur Featherweight Champion began his SDAFF experience in 2000 as an unassuming patron. Two years later he quit smoking, signed on as a volunteer, and his life was forever changed. Fast forward a few years - after 16 amateur bouts, a short career in massage therapy, a handful of hip-hop dance competitions, and dozens of SDAFF Street Team events - we now find Anthony browsing swatches of table cloths, organizing vendors, pondering deeply, and lifting heavy loads, working as a Facilities Coordinator and un-official SDAFF ninja. Be careful: He is silent, but deadly...
Astrological signs: Metal Rooster / Taurus Myers-Briggs Personality: INTP |
Chris Lee, Graphics Genius & Korean Cinema Correspondent
Our graphics guru, Chris Lee, has an extensive and impressive history for establishing logo and design campaigns for big companies in Korea and the U.S., including Qualcomm and Samsung. Astrological signs: Sagittarius, Sheep |
Marilyn Jones, Graphic Designer
Just a few years ago, "MJ" escaped the great frozen north and the Lake Shores of Chicago for the sunshine of San Diego. A self-proclaimed addict of Korean cinema, MJ is finishing up a 12-step program to deal with her addiction to another drug of choice... her iMac, by which she can out-color, out-design, and out-put festival flyers faster than you can say, "Wam Bam Thank you Ma'am." She can also turn up the froth when servin' up tall non-fat double espresso fraps with room. Astrological signs: Taurus, Snake |
Ryan Wong, Web Content Coordinator
After four years of studying supply and demand at UCSD, Ryan Wong emerged as the only economist incapable of balancing a checkbook—a distinction unbeknownst to his current employer. He earns a living designing investment pitch books, creating indecipherable financial charts and testing the limits of acceptable business casual attire. Astrological signs: Sheep, Gemini |
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