  |
 |
|
|
|
||
 |
|||||
|
 2001 SFIAAFF staff The SFIAAFF was created by NAATA in 1982 to bring Asian Pacific American stories and images to Bay Area audiences. Since its earliest days as a modest weekend showcase, the festival has developed into a highly visible and critically acclaimed eight day event, with an audience attendance of 15,000, including thousands of filmgoers, filmmakers and industry guests from around the world. As the festival approaches its twentieth anniversary, its programming has grown to reflect this expansion. We now present 90-100 documentary, narrative, and experimental works in film, video and new media. These works include feature length documentaries, a mainstay of Asian American filmmaking; an ever-increasing number of innovative feature narrative works; and short films, which compose the majority of Asian American works. A screening committee composed of filmmakers, critics and active members within our communities help our staff to collectively determine each year's programming. We supplement this impressive collection each year with the freshest and most vivid works from Asia and its diaspora. Specially organized filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, seminars, receptions and cultural events round out the week and provide more context with which to further appreciate all of the screenings. THE SCENE The San Francisco Bay Area is an epicenter for Asian American arts and culture and an adventurous new breed of independent filmmaking. With a population of about 40% Asian Pacific American, it's home to a supportive community hungry and enthusiastic for films made by and about Asian Americans. The SFIAAFF is also fortunate to be a part of a vital community of independent filmmakers and numerous other film festivals, media arts organizations and screening venues. This environment supports a vibrant synergy of ideas, creativity and discussion on the art of cinema and the state of Asian American filmmaking at the SFIAAFF each year. Filmmakers, filmgoers, community members and industry representatives come together for organized meetings and informal conversations, sharing ideas and strategies, and strengthening a national network of Asian American media artists and organizers. As the first Asian American film festival of each calendar year, the SFIAAFF kicks off a season of festivals around the country and serves as an important meeting place and launching point for new works. THE MISSION The SFIAAFF is also a significant cultural event for Asian American communities throughout the United States. Created to serve filmmakers and audiences by bringing accurate stories and images of Asian Pacific American experiences to the big screen, the SFIAAFF and its sister festivals in Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San Diego, Seattle, Washington DC, and other cities have helped pave the way for a better understanding of Asian Pacific America for all Americans. The SFIAAFF is a production of NAATA, which since 1980 has been presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of the Asian Pacific American experience through funding, producing, distributing and exhibiting films, video and new media to the broadest audience possible.
|
||||
 |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|