New Directions in Financing and Distributing Asian American Films

SAT 03.12 | 1230PM MIYAKO | THIN12
Radisson Miyako Hotel, Osaka Room, 1625 Post Street, San Francisco

Over the years, Asian American filmmakers have almost invariably limited their scope for financing and distributing their independent films to the highly saturated U.S. market. After competing within the same domestic pool for scarce funding, these filmmakers often employ a “Sundance or bust” strategy in which success hinges on acquisition by a U.S. distributor, followed by a theatrical run and, finally, a DVD release. A recent trend, however, finds some Asian American filmmakers looking abroad for new sources of funding, and to seek more international opportunities for exposure and for distribution. The result: the possibility of a more globally viable alternative for Asian American films. A panel of filmmakers and producers will discuss their experiences and unique strategies for getting their films made and seen.

Panelists

Grace Lee | Director of THE GRACE LEE PROJECT
Lee's upcoming feature project, SMELLS LIKE BUTTER, won the Busan Award at the Pusan Promotion Plan, the pre-market component of the Pusan International Film Festival.

Victor Vu | Director of SPIRITS; FIRST MORNING
Vu’s latest feature, SPIRITS, was financed entirely by Vietnamese investors, targeting the DVD market in Vietnam as well as Vietnamese American communities.

Paul Yi | Managing director of MKB Los Angeles
Yi was formerly the president of E Pictures, a South Korean production and sales company, and the director of the Pusan Promotion Plan. Yi was the co-director of the SFIAAFF from 1995–1997.

Moderator
TBD

$7 General
$5 NAATA Members
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The State of Minority Voices Above and Below the Line

SAT 03.12 | 300PM MIYAKO | INLI12
Radisson Miyako Hotel, Osaka Room, 1625 Post Street, San Francisco

In its latest TV Diversity Report, the NAACP reported small increases in on-screen appearances by actors of color, but more significantly that “these gains have been off-set by behind-the-scenes rosters that remain virtually frozen demographically.”  Indeed, if the American media landscape as a whole was measured for how accurately it represented our enormously diverse nation, it surely would receive a failing grade.

Today, all major television networks have “diversity” initiatives to provide training and access to minority filmmakers, and many influential independent film organizations have created programs to help strengthen this infrastructure, from Tribeca’s All Access to IFP’s Project: Involve.

With intentions of changing the mainstream from the inside out, what has been the impact of these programs, which focus their efforts not on a specific community but minorities as a whole, and advocate for “diversity” and “access”?  What is the state of the American media landscape for communities of color, and are minority filmmakers making inroads into positions of influence both behind and in front of the camera?

A distinguished panel of experts will discuss their efforts to bring more color to television and theater screens nation-wide, the progress that has been made, and the challenges to come.

Panelists

Pamela Tom | Director of Diversity, IFP/LA, Project: Involve

Carmen Smith | Vice President, Talent Development Programs, ABC Entertainment Television Group

Ron Taylor | Vice President, Diversity Development, Fox Entertainment Company

Jessica Yu | Director of IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL; BREATHING LESSONS

Ken Narasaki | Actor, East West Players

Moderator
Belva Davis | TV Program Host, KQED/KRON-TV

$7 General
$5 NAATA Members
Purchase ticket now >>

Panels sponsored by the Koret Foundation and the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation.