SF International Film Festival

For those in the US,  Admin Bear wants to make sure everyone knows about the exciting films screening at the upcoming 26th Annual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, hosted by our friends at The Center for Asian American Media!  It runs from the 13th of March to the 23rd:

Click to view the festival guide

There are literally dozens and dozens of great feature films and short films being presented, but we wanted to highlighta few of the films that feature Alivenotdead.com artists!

FEATURE FILMS:

881 featuring Mindee Ong [EIGHT]  Singapore | 2007 | 105mins  | International Showcase

Directed By: Royston Tan

If ABBA could sing in Hokkien, they might have auditioned for Royston Tan’s , an exuberant re-creation of the campy and uniquely Singaporean musical performance genre of . is not a mere self-conscious parody, but Tan’s heartfelt love song to a nostalgic folk culture with roots all over Asia. More...

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrWOFjidzsY

West 32nd directed by Michael Kang.

[WEST3]  USA | South Korea | 2007 | 91mins  | Centerpiece Presentation

Directed By: Michael Kang

Michael Kang’s ( ) second feature is a sleek and stylish Koreatown noir set in the underbelly of New York. John Cho stars as an ambitious lawyer allured into the seductive “room salon” culture of the Korean underworld, where he meets an equally ambitious gangster. Also starring Grace Park ( ). More...

Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZXHrBfx718s

Blood Brothers featuring Daniel Wu, directed by Alexi Tan

[BLOOD]  Taiwan | China | Hong Kong | 2007 | 95mins  | International Showcase

Directed By: Alexi Tan

A dramatic tale of unbridled greed, love and betrayal, explores the glittering den of vice and sin that was Shanghai in the ‘30s. Produced by John Woo and starring Bay Area native Daniel Wu, the film tells a thrilling story of three young men whose loyalty to one another is tested by their descent into the city’s alluring crime underworld. More...

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkrL4BUrISU

Ping Pong Playa written and starring Jimmy Tsai [PINGP]  USA | 2007 | 96mins  | Narrative Competition

Directed By: Jessica Yu

When a ping pong teacher gets injured in a car accident, her slacker son Christopher “C-Dub” Wang must step in to train a ragtag group of kids and defend his family’s honor at the big tournament. A delightful comedy from Academy Award-winner Jessica Yu. More...

The Princess of Nebraska featuring  Pamelyn Cheeand  Ling Li

[PRINC]  USA | Japan | 2007 | 77mins  | Spotlight on Wayne Wang

Directed By: Wayne Wang

This kinetic and edgy companion film to Wang’s follows Sasha, a young, pregnant woman who arrives in the Bay Area for an abortion. As she wanders through San Francisco, she contemplates the value of love, friendship and her impending decision. More... Video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=roxhimAYV5ESHORT FILMS:Music Video Asia 2008

[MUSIC]  80mins  | Shorts Programs

The choicest cuts from the past year, a crazy, fun, outlandish mélange of the best music videos out there from your friendly neighborhood Asian and Asian American bands. With new works from: Voxtrot, Bambu, Scrabbel, Notorious MSG, Bat For Lashes, and many more! More...

Superstar—24 Herbs Directed By: Kit Hui Hong Kong | 2007 | 4mins

Your favorite Hongky hiphoppers will have their music video as part of the festival music video presentation: 24 Herbs' Superstar video, by director Kit Hui. Moon Lady short film by Wendy Cheng!

USA | Taiwan | 2007 | 14mins  | Shorts Programs

Directed By: Wendy S. Cheng, A very small boy is forced to play parent when his mother goes into a deeply depressed state - but as his imagination takes flight, he invents a way to heal her.

Plays in Let's Get Outta Here - Shorts Programs

Program Running Time is 105mins

When we struggle with the constraints of life, the fantasy to leave and never look back is powerfully seductive. These evocative films tease out the dreams, actions and reality of escape while moving you to laughter and tears.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS:

Panel—Crossing Over: Asian Americans and Asia

[CROSS]  90mins  | Panels & Talks

Asian American actors are increasingly finding more opportunities in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Asian film companies are investing in Asian American filmmakers. This panel will discuss the unique versatility of Asian American actors and filmmakers and the opportunities that await them on both sides of the Pacific. Featuring a panel of actors, filmmakers and more. More...

Yes, our very own Daniel Wu will participate in the discussion panel to share his experience and unique perspective on this important discussion topic.

Congratulations again to everyone all of the filmmakers who are a part of the festival this year!