Overview
San Jose
Spotlight on Loni Ding
Women Directors
Chinese American Films
Filipino American Films
Korean American Films
19th SFIAAFF Wraps Up

Press Release: Women Directors

Close to Half of This Year's Films Helmed by Women at the 19th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

With more than 45 of the ninety-plus films presented at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF) created by women, females are increasing their numbers in the world of cinema. The largest event in North America dedicated to the exhibition of Asian American and Asian film, the Festival runs March 8-15 at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres in San Francisco, Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley and March 17-18 at Camera 3 Cinemas in San Jose.

The increased presence of women behind the camera is felt very strongly at this year's Festival where almost half of the works presented are helmed by females. Highlights include the world premiere of Amy Chen's documentary THE CHINATOWN FILES which examines how McCarthyism affected seven Chinese Americans; Kim-Chi Taylor's journey to gain perspective on her Vietnamese American family in CHAC featured in the "In Search of Our Families (In Search for Ourselves)" program; media artist Shu Lea Cheng's digitally progressive porno I.K.U., and Kaze Shindo's (the granddaughter of reknowned filmmaker Kaneto Shindo) story of the strange relationship between two young women, LOVE/JUICE. A shining light in the feature film category at this year's Festival is Chinese American helmer Ann Hu's vibrant tale of the men who helped bring the magic of movies to turn-of-the-century China, SHADOW MAGIC, starring Xia Yu, Lu Liping and Jared Harris.

International feature offerings include Taiwanese filmmaker Vivian Chang's omnibus of tales about women HIDDEN WHISPER, a lyrical story that cycles through life's many moments and features Hsiao Shu-Shen, Shu Qi and Elaine Jin; and from the Philippines, television director Rory Quintos' ANAK looks at family values in an age of globalization.

Queer rules in the "Grrrls, Uninterrupted" shorts program highlighting Michella Rivera-Gravage's intimate road trip RAINING ASH; Jean Joson's surprising REUNION; Wendy Fong's internet tale ARTIFICIAL INTIMACY; Kathryn Xian's snapshot CONSTRUCTIONS; Angela Leonino's new wavy LADY SUNBEAM; and Yvette Choy's lighthearted BLACK MAIL MATERIAL. A second all-female shorts program "Sins and Daughters" honors leading Asian American women filmmakers who have raised the standards on short narrative films including Ellie Lee's dystopic DOG DAYS; Joy Deitrich's heartbreaking SURPLUS; Lily Mariye's Japanese American perspective on the Civil Rights Movement in THE SHANGRI-LA CAFE, and Helen Lee's Seoul searching SUBROSA.

Additional shorts by women makers include Debbie Lum's vengeful A GREAT DEAL in the "Urge To Purge" shorts program; two films from Johanna Lee, sleepless BED and pointed BITTER AND SWEET, and Marie Chao's changing FULL MOON, all in the "Blue Love" shorts program. In the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" shorts program, Jessica Hagedorn's animated THE PINK PALACE; Sue Chen's moody ED IS DROWNING, and Selena Chang's rebellious THREE EXITS; and screening in the "Secret Sounds" program, Rosylyn Rhee's shocking OMA RHEE.

New to this year's Festival is the "Spotlight Program," an in-depth look at the achievements of a selected member of the Asian American film community. Featured in conversation with Barbara Abrash (Associate Director of Center for Media, Culture, and History at NYU), will be visionary filmmaker Loni Ding. Over a career spanning almost thirty years, Ms Ding has not only crafted hard-hitting documentaries about little-known histories or overlooked people like the ANCESTORS IN THE AMERICA TRILOGY, THE COLOR OF HONOR, and WILLI LOBO MANCHILD, but has also influenced a whole generation of new media makers through her work as a college educator. Clips from Ms Ding's films throughout the interview will illustrate her unique and honest cinematic vision.

Last year's Festival was host to more than 100 filmmakers, industry, and special guests from Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong and around the globe. With more than 25 programs selling out, over 15,000 filmgoers attended the 18th annual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.

The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival is produced and presented by NAATA (National Asian American Telecommunications Association). Founded in 1980, NAATA's mission is to present stories that convey the richness and diversity of the Asian Pacific American experience. NAATA does this by funding, producing, distributing, and exhibiting films, videos, and new media to the broadest audience possible. The 2001 SFIAAFF's Premier Sponsors include Chevron, California State Automobile Association, Wells Fargo Bank, AsianAvenue.com, and the Commodore Hotel. Executive Sponsors include BayArea.com. Media Sponsors include KRON TV, Bay TV, KQED TV, KTSF TV, San Francisco Bay Guardian, The Mercury News, Asian Week, and YOLK Magazine.

For more information about NAATA, please visit
www.naatanet.org or call 415-255-4299.