With only four weeks until the launch of the Asian American Film Lab, Inc.’s (Film Lab) Ninth Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout (“Shootout”), excitement has been building among the filmmaking community. The Film Lab, along with the White Rabbit, a popular East Village bar and lounge long frequented by artists and filmmakers and the Official 2013 Shootout Party Venue, have announced three upcoming Shootout parties that the entertainment community will not want to miss!

On May 16th, the Film Lab and the White Rabbit will host a party to assist filmmakers, actors, writers, directors, and crew – from the novice filmmaker to the veteran producer – in networking with like-minded artists and building their teams for this year’s Shootout. The party will feature amazing music and groundbreaking contemporary art provided by TAG (The Army Grows). David Dennis, the 2013 72 Hour Shootout Coordinator, urged filmmakers to “Come build your team and construct life-long relationships that will help you reach your cinematic dreams!”

On May 31st, The White Rabbit will host the Official Shootout Launch Party. May 31st will also be the last day people can register to compete in the 2013 Shootout, whose judges include lauded playwright David Henry Hwang, FOX Japan producer Dan Smith, ABC Executive Director of Casting Marci Phillips. Director Nicole Kassell, Don Buchwald agent David Elliott, writer NaRhee Ahn, actress Cindy Cheung, and novelist Ed Lin. Actress and Film Lab President and Board member, Jennifer Betit Yen, noted, “The Launch Party is an incredibly exciting event. We announce the theme of the Shootout at 8pm EST live at The White Rabbit and simultaneously online for competitors around the globe. It’s one of those nights where the excitement just builds and builds.”

Jim Chu, owner of The White Rabbit and longtime supporter of diversity initiatives in film and television welcomed the opportunity to give back to the community and promote diversity. “I have several sponsors in the running for the upcoming parties! Details TBA! In addition, there will be special happy hour pricing for the events running until 9pm! Don’t miss it! I’m glad to help the Film Lab and to provide a really great venue where people can just have a great party,” Jim said. “The work the Film Lab does is critical to empowering Asian American and other filmmakers of color.”

The Shootout takes place this year from May 31 – June 3, 2013 with the screening, Awards Ceremony and VIP Party taking place July 27, 2013. The Shootout is a worldwide competition in which filmmaking teams are given a common theme at the start and have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. Teams compete for cash and prizes and the chance to have their films screened at the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival, organized by Asian CineVision, the only festival of its kind on the East Coast. This year, registration will be available online at http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.org/72-Hour-Shootout.html.

The Shootout’s mission consists of creating opportunities for filmmakers of color, with a focus on Asian Americans, to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry, and to positively impact the visibility of diverse stories and characters in film and television. The Film Lab thanks its generous sponsors: Asian CineVision (www.asiancinevision.org), The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, MyJennyBook (www.myjennybook.com), Mayday Radio, The White Rabbit, AsianInNY.com, Equinox, and AARI-CUNY, among others, for supporting diversity in film and television!