This year marks the first appearance of the Austin Asian American Film Festival. From the fest's site:
"After years of hard work, the Austin Asian American Film Foundation has arrived. Our unique foundation promises to bring the best in Asian and Asian American cinema to Austin. Texas may seem like an odd location for an Asian film foundation, but we are the fastest growing minority in an already lively and vibrant Asian community. We are supported by the University of Texas, Austin Film Society and many Asian organization. This October we are proud to present:
The 1st Annual Austin Asian American Film Festival will be held on October 9-12th, 2008. Our four day event will have exciting screenings, thought provoking panels, great parties and many filmmakers in attendance.
This year we are proud to announce our festival will be held at the Alamo Drafthouse. Recently voted “Best Theatre in America”, the Alamo takes our festival to the next level!"
I have a perhaps a difficult question re: ethnicity focused film festivals (are they still needed? are mainstream/regular/non-ethnicity-specific festivals not programming enough movies by and about non-"white" people in America? or are there other important reasons for creating ethnicity focused film fests?); maybe I can ask someone from AAAFF about it at some point in the near future.
But aside from that, congrats AAAFF, another place for filmmakers to show their stuff. And in Austin, a city that I hear good things about.
- Sujewa
"After years of hard work, the Austin Asian American Film Foundation has arrived. Our unique foundation promises to bring the best in Asian and Asian American cinema to Austin. Texas may seem like an odd location for an Asian film foundation, but we are the fastest growing minority in an already lively and vibrant Asian community. We are supported by the University of Texas, Austin Film Society and many Asian organization. This October we are proud to present:
The 1st Annual Austin Asian American Film Festival will be held on October 9-12th, 2008. Our four day event will have exciting screenings, thought provoking panels, great parties and many filmmakers in attendance.
This year we are proud to announce our festival will be held at the Alamo Drafthouse. Recently voted “Best Theatre in America”, the Alamo takes our festival to the next level!"
I have a perhaps a difficult question re: ethnicity focused film festivals (are they still needed? are mainstream/regular/non-ethnicity-specific festivals not programming enough movies by and about non-"white" people in America? or are there other important reasons for creating ethnicity focused film fests?); maybe I can ask someone from AAAFF about it at some point in the near future.
But aside from that, congrats AAAFF, another place for filmmakers to show their stuff. And in Austin, a city that I hear good things about.
- Sujewa
