Official Selections: 2nd-8th LA Asian Film Festivals
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film
Gameboys
Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, live-stream gamer Cairo loses to the newbie Gavreel in an online game. But Gavreel has set his eyes on the bigger prize, and that is to win the reluctant heart of Cairo, who's dealing with his own personal problems. Gameboys was a true product of the pandemic.
Shot during one of the longest lockdown in the world, the producers instituted a work-from-home type of production to keep everyone safe, involving actors shooting themselves using their personal phones, supervised by a small crew attending the set via Zoom.
Director: Ivan Andrew Payawal
Producers: Jun Robles Lana and Perci Intalan
Writer: Ash Malanum
Cast: Kokoy de Santos, Elijah Canlas, Adrianna So, Kyle Velino, Miggy Jimenez, Kych Minemoto, Jerom Canlas, Angellie Sanoy & Sue Prado
Cinematographer Nestor Abrogena
Editor: Kristian Marc Palma
Best Series, Indie Short Awards Seoul; Los Angeles Asian Film Festival, Vancouver Independent Film Festival, Amsterdam World International Film Festival & Indie Shorts Awards Buenos Aires.
Facebook: [OFFICIAL] Gameboys PH
Good Filipino Kids
Short
Two Filipino lovers with different upbringings struggle to fulfill cultural and familial expectations, forcing them to face a crossroads in their relationship and individual identities.
Director: Andrew Acedo
Producer: Andrew Acedo, Ross Matlin
Writer: Andrew Acedo
Cast: Anaïs Noveras, Reden Magtira, Evyn Mirasol, Rafael Ortega, Arrad Rahgoshay, Julian Bataclan, Rhandy Torres, Benito Acedo, Camille Aragon, Jesseal Amelia, Odessa Lapidario, Mitch Balderian, Ina Dahilig, David De Vera
Cinematographer (if applicable): Vonmay Mendoza
Editor: Andrew Acedo
Winner - Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay at The Monthly Film Festival.
Nominated - Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Editor at The Monthly Film Festival.
Winner - Special Achievement Award at Indie Short Fest.
Nominated - Best Indie Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Acting Duo at Indie Short Fest.
Screened at LA's Rich and Successful Film Festival.
Will Screen at NewFilmmakers Los Angeles and the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival
Instagram: android0107
Facebook: andrew.acedo
Happy Noodle
World Premiere
Short
A desperate man attempts to rob an Asian restaurant. He assumes that an old Asian grandma will be an easy target, however, quickly learns that is not the case.
Director: Helen Chan
Producer: Kai Maeng
Writer: Helen Chan, Zack Burkett
Cast: Serene Mei Lee, Jeremy Kaluza
Cinematographer: Ryan Pak
Editor: Helen Chan, Kai Maeng
Instagram: @happy_noodle_film
Hate is a Virus: A Short Documentary
Amidst the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Americans saw a drastic increase in violence and hate against their community. This short documentary explores that and the political, social, and historical tensions that led to it.
Director: Leonardo Trejo-Bien
Producer: Leonardo Trejo-Bien
Writer: Leonardo Trejo-Bien
Cast: Cynthia Choi, Jerry Raburn, Kalvin Lee, also picturing David Canepa
Cinematographer: Leonardo Trejo-Bien
Editor: Leonardo Trejo-Bien
Website: leotrejo.com
Instagram: @leo.tre.jo
I Am Makimoto
World Premiere
Feature
Director:Nobuo MIZUTA
Producer:William Ireton,Toshiaki Nakazawa
Writer: Yutaka KURAMOCHI(Original story: “STILL LIFE” by Uberto Pasolini)
Cast: (comma separated, i.e. John Leguizamo, Viola Davis, Bowen Yang)
Cinematographer:Kouichi NAKAYAMA
Editor:Chieko SUZAKI
Website: iammakimoto.jp/
Twitter: @iammakimoto_JP
Gatcha!
Gatcha! is a CG-animated short film that follows the story of a young shiba inu toy named Sho, who lives inside a gacha machine with his sensei. It is a fun and fast-paced short intended to teach kids about becoming a hero. Gatcha! has been awarded the Best of Ringling Gold Juror's Award, as well as advancing to the semifinals in the Student Academy Awards. It has also been selected by the Toyama International Film Festival, 2020 Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival, New York Animation Film Awards, Australasia's Film Festival of Time, and Lift-Off Global Network Tokyo 2020.
Director(s): Susan Huang, Stacy Moon, Nadya Sugiarto
Producer: Ringling College of Art and Design
Writer(s): Susan Huang, Stacy Moon, Nadya Sugiarto
Cast: Kenneth Bryant, Daniel Cantor, Eric Downs
Cinematographer: Susan Huang, Stacy Moon, Nadya Sugiarto
Editor: Susan Huang, Stacy Moon, Nadya Sugiarto
Instagram: @gatchafilm
Facebook: @GatchaFilm
Grandma Sings Arirang
World Premiere
Documentary Short
After never talking about her life, 93 year-old Myung Ja Ginzel reflects on her experiences growing up with nothing in Korea, marrying an American soldier, and finding God.
Director: Tomer Keysar
Producers: Tomer Keysar, Linda Ginzel
Editor: Tomer Keysar
Starring: Myung Ja Ginzel
Instagram: @keysarphotography
Grandpa Cherry Blossom
Short (Documentary)
The life of Francis Uyematsu, from his journey creating a successful flower nursery in America to his time at the Manzanar Internment Camp.
Director: Maddox Chen
Producer: Maddox Chen
Writer: Maddox Chen Cast: Chuck Currier, Mary Uyematsu Kao
Editor: Maddox Chen
Website:maddoxchen.net/grandpa-cherry-blossom.html
Instagram: @somecinematiccinema
Hanami
Los Angeles Premiere
A young girl trapped within Japanese-American internment laments her dull surroundings. Bored, she chooses to paint flowers to contrast the lifeless environment around her. Her colorful creations, inspired by Japanese traditional wagara patterns, come to life and light up her world. She experiences a beautiful, yet transient “flower viewing” or “hanami,” embracing a Japanese-American identity despite persecution.
Director: Lisa Maeda
Producer: Denise Anger
Writer: Lisa Maeda
Cinematographer: Lisa Maeda
Editor: Sara Westover
Finalist at The Rookies for 2D Animation, and selected at the Florida Animation Festival, the DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon and the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.
Website: lisamaeda.com/hanami
Instagram: @hanamifilm
Facebook: fb.com/Hanami-Film-101611541581178
Home Along the Rails
LA Premiere
A daughter hopes to make up for any time lost when she gets a visit from her distant mother.
Director: Justin Leyba
Producer: Justin Leyba
Writer: Justin Leyba
Cast: Marie Dinolan, Carlota Hancock
Cinematographer: Steven Turco
Editor: Justin Leyba
Website: justinleyba.com
Instagram: @justinleyb.a
In Heaven (천국에서)
In an apocalyptic world, to what extent will a man go to protect who he loves?
Director: Hyeong Jun Shim
Producer: Wonsoon Cho
Writer: Hyeong Jun Shim, Ji Eun Yang
Cast: Se Hyun Ji, Yu Min Jung, Seungwan Kim
Cinematographer: Hyo Suk Shin
Editor: Hyeong Jun Shim
Website: purplelistfilm.com
Instagram: 심형준 (@purplelist.js) • Instagram photos and videos
Ghanimah
USA Premiere
Short
The war on terror, the 7/7 bombings, the loss of the son's mother and the allegiance to either Islam or Britain. What will unfold. Family, Duty or Honour? A heated argument occurs when Abdullah (Mikhail Sen - House of Dragon, A Suitable Boy) declares he is joining the British Military to the shock of his pacifist father Omar (Adil Akram - Spectre, What's Love got to do with it?) and anger of his fundamentalist older brother Moh (James El-Sharawy - Tyrant, EastEnders). As their debate unfurls, past resentments and revelations rise to the surface, boiling to a point where they can no longer contain themselves.
Director: Sai Karan Talwar
Producer: Adi Alfa
Writer: Sai Karan Talwar
Cast: Mikhail Sen, Adil Akram, James El Sharawy
Cinematographer (if applicable): Eric Myers
Editor: Tom Ryan
Any awards, accolades or additional details about the process you would like to mention:
- 11th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival - Official Selection -CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
- Oaxaca FilmFest - Official Selection (Not Screened)
- Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival - Official Selection
- Newham Film Festival - WINNER (Best Actor - Mikhail Sen) & NOMINEE (Best Actor - Adil Akram)
- Pambujan International Film Festival - Official Selection
- Tagore International Film Festival - WINNER (Best Debut Filmmaker) & OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Best Short Film)
- Bharat International Film Festival - Official Selection
- 10th Noida International Film Festival - Official Selection - CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
- Indian Panorama International Film Festival - Official Selection
- Samskara International Film Festival - WINNER (Best 2nd Actor - Mikhail Sen)
- Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival - Official Selection
- Darbhanga International Film Festival - Official Selection
- New Delhi Film Festival - WINNER (Best Short Film)
UK Asian Film Festival - Official Selection (UK Premiere)
- Rochester International Film Festival - Honourable Mention - Certificate of Merit
- Asian South East Short Film Festival - Special Mention
Website: saikarantalwar.com
Instagram: @saikarantalwar
Halfway to Fifty
After realizing her Asian mother had her at her current age of 25, Amanda learns she is the furthest thing from what her mom expected. Queer, Asian American, impulsive Amanda explores her sexuality, promiscuity with male and female identifying folks, and tries using her voice more loudly to combat oppressive systems and the patriarchy. Being 25, Amanda is "finding herself", but is hindered by the fact that she doesn’t feel able to share her authentic self with the person who matters the most - her mom. Friends, heartbreak, and therapy help Amanda realize that she fears losing her mother and how much that impacts all of her relationships. She tells herself she’s a hilarious badass bitch who doesn’t care about what her mother thinks, but in reality she’s walking on eggshells.
Directors: Sierra Schnack (x01, x02, x03, x05) and Kelly Murray (x04)
Producers: Amanda Frances & Sierra Schnack
Writer: Amanda Frances
Cast: Amanda Frances, Din Grant, Joshur Mazzone, Hannah Whisenant, Jonathan Van Lamsweerde, Gerlad Ceaser, Gina DiVittorio, Caitlin Wright, Jackie Kosoff, Jill Allenby, Sierra Schnack, Thomas Everett, Emma Gage, Dillon Swanson, Shabbi Sharifi, Ariel Pacheco, Lauryn Schnack, Maggie Pearl, Catie Ryan, Beatrice Owens, EJ Davidson, Cassie Gharnit, Mack Gorman, Kat Janiszewski, Kimmy Immanuel, Paola Joaguin Rosso, Jake Wright
Cinematographers: Hillary Hanak (x01, x03, x04) and Hannah Whisenant (x02, x05)
Editor: Amanda Frances
- LA Women in Film Fest - Official Selection
- Indie Eye Film Awards - WINNER: Best Actor
- London International Web & Shorts Film Festival - WINNER: Best Editing 2021
- Hollywood International Golden Age Festival - WINNER: Best Web Series August 2021
- Onyko Awards - WINNER: Best Web/TV Series 2021
- Vesuvius International Film Fest - WINNER: Best Cast & Best Editing 14th Edition
- Austin International Art Festival - Semi Finalist October 2021
- New Filmmakers New York - Official Selection 2021
- Dubai Independent Film Festival - Award Winner September 2021
- Sydney Indie Short Festival - Semi Finalist Fall 2021
Website: halfwaytofifty.com/
Instagram: @halfwaytofitty
Twitter: @halfwaytofitty