The Asian American Film Lab (AAFilmLab) is pleased to announce the Eighth Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout (“Shootout”) will take place this summer under the auspices of and in collaboration with Asian CineVision. The Shootout is a nationwide competition in which filmmaking teams are given a common theme at the start and then have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. Teams compete for cash, prizes and the chance to have their films screened at film festivals, both nationally and internationally. The competition creates a valuable opportunity for Asian American filmmakers to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry and impact the visibility of Asian American stories and characters in film. One of the Shootout requirements is that at least one key production member (e.g., director, producer or writer) and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent.
AAFilmLab’s first female president, Jennifer Betit Yen, and Advisory Board Member, Peter Chin, will be overseeing the 2012 Shootout programming. The management team will be coordinating a series of spring workshops to prep filmmakers for the Shootout with industry panels on virtually every aspect of filmmaking—from lighting to cameras. The panels will begin on April 12th and will be free to attend with RSVP—for details and to RSVP, visit the Asian American Film Lab facebook page or website (www.aafilmlab.org).
Jennifer Betit Yen notes, “[t]his is an exciting time for Asian Americans particularly with Jeremy Lin almost single-handedly changing perceptions about Asian American athletes and opening up a national dialogue on race. Like Asian American athletes, Asian Americans in entertainment are too often an invisible minority. AAFilmLab seeks to promote and encourage Asian American filmmakers and to ensure their stories are told.”
The specific details of the 8th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout will be announced in June 2012. The top ten (10) finalists will screen on July 28, 2012, at the New York Asian American International Film Festival organized by Asian CineVision (July 25-August 5, 2012). For further information about AAFilmLab and the Shootout, including viewing past winning films, please visit us on the web at www.aafilmlab.org and www.72hourfilmshootout.com.
About Asian American Film Lab
The Asian American Film Lab (AAFilmLab) began as collaborative of New York-based filmmakers whose goals are to hone their craft and to share their knowledge, experience and resources. The membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting Asian American filmmakers and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.
AAFilmLab’s programming includes filmmaking workshops with industry professionals, screenwriting contests, and film competitions including the annual 72 Hour Film Shootout. This annual competition, now in its fifth year, has inspired hundreds of filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career. Asian American Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Membership and all contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. http://www.aafilmlab.org
About Asian CineVision (ACV) and the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF)
Asian CineVision, Inc is a not-for-profit national media arts organization committed to the development, exhibition, promotion and preservation of film and video by artists of Asian descent. Founded in 1975 ACV continues to serve the Asian American media arts community by promoting the works of Asian independent and Asian American filmmakers to the broadest possible audiences, providing a window to the diverse experiences of the Asian Diaspora. Founded in 1978, AAIFF is the first and longest running festival in the U.S. to exhibit the film and video work by media artists of Asian descent and about the Asian American experience. Now in its 35th year AAIFF continues to be a leading showcase for Asian American and Asian independent film and video. For more information about ACV and AAIFF visit: www.asiancinevision.org