When: Thu Oct 9 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

Where: Alamo Ritz (map)

Director: Michelle Manas Parro

Length: 5 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

While auditioning for a role, a young actress confronts a moral dilemma. When it happens again, she must decide whether to work within the racist Hollywood system or stand up for herself.

When: Thu Oct 9 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

Where: Alamo Ritz (map)

Director: Arthur Dong (in-person), USA, 2007

Length: 89 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

This groundbreaking documentary takes the viewer on a provocative and entertaining journey through the last century of Chinese American film history, from the silent film classics of Anna May Wong to the masterpieces of contemporary Asian American cinema. Featuring rare and never-before seen film clips, as well as fascinating interviews with such legendary movie icons as Nancy Kwan, Ang Lee, Justin Lin, Joan Chen and James Hong, Hollywood Chinese offers a captivating insider's perspective on the complicated and wondrous history of Chinese representation on the silver screen. We are also pleased to announce that Arthur Dong will be in attendance and on-hand to answer audience questions following the screening.

In attendance: Arthur Dong

When: Fri Oct 10 4:00 pm-5:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Christine Choy (in-person), USA, 2008

Length: 52 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

We are proud to screen the award winning, Long Story Short with special guest, Jodi Long (Eli Stone, The All American Girl, The Hot Chick)! This documentary tells the story of Jodi's parents, a popular husband-and-wife nightclub act of the '40s and '50s. From small clubs to the Ed Sullivan Show, Jodi looks back with her parents on their fascinating career that defied the racism within the entertainment business. You won't soon forget this touch film about pain, passion and perseverance.

In Attendance: Jodi Long and Christine Choy

When: Fri Oct 10 5:30 pm-8:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Christine Choy (in-person) and Renee Tajima, USA, 1988/2008

Length: 127 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Double Feature
"Who Killed Vincent Chin?" and "Vincent Who?"

In 1982, Chinese-American Vincent Chin, an automotive engineer, was brutally murdered by two assembly line workers, who blamed his ethnicity for their job loss. The shocking turn of events, including a nonsensical trial outcome opened many people's eyes to the racism and injustice of the American court system. Academy Award nominated Who Killed Vincent Chin? documents the rallies and protests that ultimately became a defining moment forever changing the Asian American community. Vincent Who? is a look at our community twenty five year's later. This new film by Tony Lam and Curtis Chin examines the effects (or crushing lack there of) of the Vincent Chin tragedy within the younger Asian American generations and the importance of keeping the memory of Mr. Chin alive. We are pleased to screen this double feature as our Centerpiece Event.

When: Fri Oct 10 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Where: University of Texas, CAL 100 (map)

Director: Anthony Gilmore

Length: 76 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

Behind Forgotten Eyes is a daring new documentary that exposes a rarely discussed aspect of World War II. For nearly half a century, "comfort women" aka sex slaves have kept quiet about the atrocities they went through and are still haunted by. Talented filmmaker, Anthony Gilmore interviews not only ex-comfort women, but also Japanese soldiers, who admit to taking advantage of the them. The most powerful element to this award winning film is that these strong willed women refuse to play victim and are still politically active. If you want to be inspired by the human heart, this is a must see.

Narrated by Yunjin Kim from the hit television series Lost.

Admission into this film is FREE!

When: Fri Oct 10 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Where: University of Texas, CAL 100 (map)

Director: Atsuko Okatsuka, 2008

Length: 5 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

When: Fri Oct 10 8:00 pm-10:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Aditya Assarat, Thailand, 2007

Length: 92 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Set in a small coastal town in southern Thailand an architect, Ton comes to help rebuild the area devastated by the tsunami. He meets Na, a young woman who runs the hotel. With little to do in this desolate town the two begin an affair, which comes under scrutiny of the townspeople and especially by Na’s delinquent brother. Written and directed by Aditya Assarat, Wonderful Town encapsulates powerful emotions in a hauntingly quiet film.

When: Fri Oct 10 8:00 pm-10:00 pm

Where: University of Texas, CAL 100 (map)

Director: Anita Chang

Length: 56 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

Conceived as collaboration among the residents of Lo-Sheng, a filmmaker, film students and cultural workers, Joyful Life seeks to present the perspectives of the Lo-Sheng residents in the midst of their activism not be moved to the hospital. The collaborators' mission is to metaphorically rescue Lo-Sheng from further marginalization and historical amnesia.

When: Sat Oct 11 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Yun-Ling Lee, 2008

Length: 6 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

An exploration of the problems facing Asian-American youths today through a cute and touching amalgamation of superhero animation and real life interviews.

When: Sat Oct 11 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Ik Hyun Kwon (in-person), 2008

Length: 14 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

A Korean man moves to America where he has difficulty adjusting to his new life. A savvy deconstruction of subtitling and cinematic manipulation.

In attendance: Ik Hyun Kwon

When: Sat Oct 11 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Valerie Soe, 2008

Length: 5 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Veteran experimental filmmaker Valerie Soe provides a lyrical meditation on popular representations of the Korean-American male from John Cho to Seung-Hui Cho, the perpetrator of the Virginia Tech massacre.

When: Sat Oct 11 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: David Oh, 2008

Length: 12 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Nearing the end of his life, Mr. Kim is lonely and stuck within the confines of his apartment. He prepares for the last moments and delves into his memories through photographs, letters, and trinkets.

When: Sat Oct 11 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Will McCord

Length: 13 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Desperate to meet the man of his dreams, Henry places an on-line ad...as a woman.

When: Sat Oct 11 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: James Feng

Length: 7 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

A man realizes his dream of being a businessman in China only to discover that his dream has become a nightmare.

When: Sat Oct 11 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Jacqueline Levitin, Canada/China

Length: 47 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

A group of men in a variety store in Harbin, China candidly discuss a foreigner with a camera amongst them, assuming that she doesn't understand Chinese and forgetting that her camera is recording them. Later, in Kaifeng, miles to the south, the woman noses her camera into people’s homes, searching for traces of the city’s thousand-year-old Jewish settlement while her guide attempts to render her questions polite in translation. The director’s own Russian Jewish family history in China at the beginning of the 20th century, a story of tiger hunters, poignant deaths and daring rescues, binds together this lively tale of Chinese Jewish encounters then and now – by turns wryly observationist and painterly lyrical.

When: Sat Oct 11 2:00 pm-3:30 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Carl Zhang, Australia/China

Length: 86 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Cherie Leena stars as “Qui Sen’, a shy, timid woman whose life is spent following and taking picture of lovers on the streets of Shanghai. This is her way of partaking in a ‘relationship’. She is this way because she can no longer love; the pain of a past relationship relegating her to the point where she can only experience love through the ‘safety’ of a camera lens.

When: Sat Oct 11 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Karinne Berstis

Length: 5 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

A thoughtful and witty exploration into the "technical difficulties" of defining what is Asian American. Made in Austin.

When: Sat Oct 11 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Abin Abraham, Nicholas Martin, Paul Yoon

Watch Trailer: (not available)

Three Asian American men try to find out why Asian American men are the least married men in the country. Surprising statistics and illuminating (and hilarious) comments from UT women may explain why.

When: Sat Oct 11 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Hyung Hyup Kim

Length: 20 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

Mi-Sook arrives in rural Texas, the happy wife of an army man who was stationed in Korea, only to be emotionally abandoned by her new husband, forcing her to learn how to be happy on her own.

When: Sat Oct 11 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Nelson Kim

Length: 10 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Boy meets girl. He doesn't speak Korean; she doesn't speak English. It's going to be a long night.

When: Sat Oct 11 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Juli Kang

Length: 29 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

An Asian-American cast headlines this innovative and modern musical inspired by Romeo and Juliet.

When: Sat Oct 11 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Zooey Park

Length: 12 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

A guy and a girl on their first date find their neurotic private thoughts manifested on the movie screen!

When: Sat Oct 11 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Adam Habib

Length: 6 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

After the accidental death of her son, a businesswoman travels back in time to set things rights.

When: Sat Oct 11 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Yee-Wei Chai, Singapore

Length: 20 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

A young boy's innocent attempt to find his father's porn stash turns into a comical mêlée involving the police, a nosy neighbor, and some local drag queens.

When: Sat Oct 11 6:00 pm-7:30 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Francis Hsueh and Steven Hahn

Length: 105 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Pretty To Think So is a story about newfound love and the past which haunts us. From the corporate world of white-shoe law firms to the streets of Chinatown and the Bronx, Pretty To Think So takes us on a journey to a place where romantic passion and human frailty violently collide.

In attendance: Francis Hsueh

When: Sat Oct 11 8:00 pm-9:30 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Anurag Kashyap, India, 2007

Length: 128 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

A Bollywood film like no other, Anurag Kashyap’s No Smoking follows K, a chain smoker who, only after his wife leaves him, decides to take part in a controversial program to help him quit smoking.

When: Sun Oct 12 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Emily Ting, USA/China

Length: 47 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

An incredibly honest and bittersweet family portrait, Family Inc. follows filmmaker Emily Ting as she returns to Hong Kong to become CEO in training in the family toy business at the demand of her father. Feeling increasingly stuck in a role she didn't choose for herself, Emily turns the camera on herself in an attempt to come to terms with her new life.

When: Sun Oct 12 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Bridget Hanna, India

Length: 24 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Bridget Hanna’s documentary, This Much I Know, chronicles the life of Sonum, a young girl in Meerut City, India. Sonum, suffers from chronic pain due to contaminated drinking water in her region but the remedy and even the nature of her affliction seems a mystery to the medical field.

When: Sun Oct 12 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Eveleen Hsu

Length: 18 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Solitary John reflects on his life through food and teaching his grandson to cook.

When: Sun Oct 12 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Wes Kim

Length: 4 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

An adorable girl scout determine to sell cookies has met her match as a grumpy neighbor slams his door in her face. He soon finds out why it's best not to mess with the girl scouts.

When: Sun Oct 12 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: David Yun

Length: 6 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

A poetic film that mixes found footage of Japanese Internment camps in Arizona with a lost letter written by Babar Ahmad, a Muslim prisoner accused of running Al-Qaeda websites and awaiting extradition to Guantanamo Bay. In linking the two, the film traces a connection between the way Japanese Americans were perceived during World War II and how Arabs and Arab Americans are being treated in a post-9/11 world while raising larger questions about the fragility of our own freedoms.

When: Sun Oct 12 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Soham Mehta

Length: 9 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

An Indian American finds himself engulfed with rage. He must decided whether to let go of the rage or have it take over his life.

When: Sun Oct 12 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Elhum Shakerifar, UK, 2006

Watch Trailer: (not available)

Roya and Omid opens eyes to transsexuality in the Islamic setting of Iran. Bardia, a young female-to-male transsexual reflects on his childhood spent in the wrong body, when he was known as Roya (Dream in Persian), but wished to be Omid (Hope in Persian).

When: Sun Oct 12 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Vanessa Langer, Iran/Switzerland, 2007

Watch Trailer: (not available)

23-year-old Nasrin is sent a camera and tape in the mail. Within the private space of her bedroom, she plays with the recorder and its ability to reveal and conceal. The intimacy and candour with which she approaches this project alludes to her life outside her bedroom and the politics of representation.

When: Sun Oct 12 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Bahman Kiarostami, Iran

Watch Trailer: (not available)

A film about the life and art of Shabihs, actors who re-enact the Karbala event (Taziyeh) in Iran. Here they perform not on a stage for the people, but on a white background for the camera, perhaps bridging the gap between daily life and this extraordinary ritual theater.

When: Sun Oct 12 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Tanya Sleiman

Length: 6 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Yoshi, a 30-year California resident born in pre-WWII Japan tells her life story, one that is filled deadly wars and destruction. She continues to be haunted with questions of why she and so many like her had to go through such traumatic experiences.

When: Sun Oct 12 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Risa Morimoto, USA/Japan

Length: 89 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Director Risa Morimoto’s Wings of Defeat focuses on kamikaze pilots of World War II. Incorporating a mix of animation and archive footage Morimoto travels to Japan to interview pilots who actually survived their suicide missions.

When: Sun Oct 12 6:00 pm-7:30 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Ron Morales, Phillipines

Length: 82 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

After the death of his mother, 12-year-old Hector arrives in Manila to live permanently with his grandmother, Lita, a woman whom he has never met.

When: Sun Oct 12 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Mike Ott & Carl Mclaughlin

Length: 3 minutes

Watch Trailer: (not available)

A young Japanese teen finds herself far away from home. This poetic and beautiful short captures the sincere emotion of missing your family and dealing with hard situations.

When: Sun Oct 12 8:00 pm-10:00 pm

Where: Alamo Village (map)

Director: Jia Zhang Ke, China

Length: 111 minutes

Watch Trailer: Low Res | High Res

Shot in the old village of Fengjie, which has been destroyed by the building of the Three Gorges Dam, Still Life tells the story of two lost souls looking for their loved ones in a city haunted by the tragic flood. On many critics top 10 lists and Venice Film Fest's prestigious Golden Lion winner, Zhangke's film is a cinematic triumph with stellar acting and plenty of out of this world moments. Literally. We are proud to showcase this film.

When: Thu Oct 9 9:00 pm-12:00 am

Where: Arthouse Museum Downtown

Address: 700 Congress Ave. (map)

Opening Night Party at the Arthouse Museum. Open Bar (Sake + Beer) and Live Entertainment.

The much anticipated Austin AA Film Festival (Oct 9 - Oct 12, 2008) will open on Thursday Oct 9, 2007 at the historical yet cutting edge renovated, ArtHouse Museum (14,000-square-foot building at 700 Congress Ave.) with Arthur Dong's groundbreaking documentary, Hollywood Chinese -- Texas Premiere.

Arriving from all corners of the globe, filmmakers, press, sponsors and Festival friends reunite or meet for the first time and embark upon the journey of the 2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival.

Party goers will enjoy art works, open bar (sake + beer) and party the night away to live entertainments. The Arthouse Museum will also showcase the ResetPlay, an exhibition attempting a critical exploration of contemporary art inspired by video games.

Admission to the Opening Night Party is free. In addition, there will be film tickets and various other prizes raffled off at the Opening Night Party for individuals who have purchased the Film Festival Package.

When: Fri Oct 10 12:45 pm-2:45 pm

Where: University of Texas

Address: Texas Union Quadrangle Room (map)

Discussion panel about Asian-American comedy on television.

Fourteen years after All-American Girl brought an Asian-American family to a television sitcom for the first (and only) time, where is the space for Asian- American comedy on contemporary television? How do Asian-American comedic actors negotiate between satire and stereotype? How does sub-genre (sketch comedy, sitcom, dramedy) influence the choices that Asian-American actors make? What is to be made of the recent influx of Japanese style game shows – such as Wipeout, I Survived a Japanese Gameshow, and Fox's upcoming Hole in the Wall – that rely on bodily humor over scholarly trivia? Comedic icon Jodi Long – celebrated star of television (All-American Girl, Eli Stone) and film (Patty Hearst, The Hot Chick), will be on hand – along with several other distinguished guests – to provide an insider's perspective on working in the entertainment industry as a funny Asian-American for over two decades.

Panelists:
Madeline Hsu: Director, Center of Asian American Studies Department at University of Texas - Austin
Francis Hsueh: Filmmaker, Pretty to Think So *Cannes Festival Official Selection*
Nhi Lieu: University of Texas – Austin
Jodi Long: Actress, All American Girl, Eli Stone and much more
Madhavi Mallapragada: University of Texas - Austin
Leng Wong: Actress, Stop Kiss
Moderators: Alexander Cho and Curran Nault

When: Fri Oct 10 8:00 pm-10:00 pm

Where: Suzi's China Grill

Address: 7858 Shoal Creek Blvd. (map)

Special reception for filmmakers and special guests.

After the Vincent Chin screenings, take part in a meet and greet with filmmakers and special guests. Appetizers will be provided.

Event is open to badge holders only.

When: Sat Oct 11 9:00 pm-2:00 am

Where: Club Deville

Address: 900 Red River St. (map)

Live Concert at Club DeVille, featuring Black Panda and Giant Hornets from Japan

AAAFF after party at Club Deville features Black Panda and Giant Hornets from Japan and more! Club Deville, is situated on 900 Red River, with both an indoor/outdoor bar. The stage is set into 40-foot cliffs that give it a natural amphitheater look.

Lineup:

• 9pm - Anabelle
• 10pm - Blase Faire
• 11pm - Many Birthdays (Electro / Experimental / Indie)
• 12am - Black Panda (Garage / Rock / Punk)
• 1am - Giant Hornets
• DJ - Djing

When: Sun Oct 12 5:00 pm-7:00 pm

Where: Woodland (the)

Address: 1716 S. Congress Ave. (map)

Closing Night Party at the Woodlands.

There's no better way to celebrate the end of the fest than an intimate gathering at Woodlands. Say your goodbyes to filmmakers and friends, as we party one last time! Woodlands, one of our favorite restaurants is located in the beautiful South Congress district and offers delicious food/drinks.

Event is open to badge holders only.