It’s festival season folks and CAAMFest 2015 is upon us. Dig In just returned from Park City, UT for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and our next stop is San Francisco, CA. We are excited to share with you the following program for CAAMFest, which will take place from March 12-22, 2015.
SEOUL SEARCHING:
CAAMFest Opening Night: SEOUL SEARCHING
Fresh off its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, CAAMFest 2015 opens with SEOUL SEARCHING, directed by award winning Korean-American director Benson Lee. Inspired by THE BREAKFAST CLUB, one of the most quintessential films of its time and Lee’s own personal experiences, SEOUL SEARCHING is a fun coming-of-age feature, chronicling the shenanigans and personal journeys of a group of international Korean teens sent to a government- sponsored summer camp for a crash course in Korean culture. Set in the 1980s, this John Hughes- inspired dramedy delivers a pitch-perfect tale of teenage angst, modernized with a stellar Asian and Asian American cast. Director Benson Lee and several cast members including Justin Chon will be in attendance for opening night.The excitement continues with the Opening Night Gala at the Asian Art Museum. Guests will have an exclusive look at the museum’s newest exhibit, Seduction: Japan’s Floating World, and enjoy sweet and savory tastings from some of San Francisco’s local food purveyors, including Sol Food and Socola Chocolatier.
Sponsored by xfinity, Asian American Art Museum, AT&T, Cadillac, Singapore Airlines, Remy Martin, Girl Friday Events
LUCKY CHOW:
CAAMFest 2015 concludes just a BART ride away in Oakland with the premiere of CAAM co-produced PBS series LUCKY CHOW. LUCKY CHOW follows LUCKYRICE culinary festival founder Danielle Chang as she travels across America exploring the Asian food landscape. The series features many of the country’s most renowned chefs and culinary stars such as TOP CHEF winner Kristen Kish, YouTube sensation Maangchi and Bay Area favorite Ramen Shop. As CAAMFest’s Closing Night presentation, LUCKY CHOW’s six episodes will be showcased over two days and feature an Asian-inspired menu from The New Parkway kitchen.CENTERPIECE PRESENTATION: MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW: compelling and inspiring story of Laila, a young woman with cerebral palsy who dreams of becoming a writer. A NYU transplant from India’s Delhi University, Laila’s journey begins when she falls for a fiery female activist who tests her creative and personal boundaries.
Sponsored by xfinity, AT&T, Cadillac, Singapore Airlines, Remy Martin, Cooper White & Cooper
DIRECTIONS IN SOUND
Directions in Sound: Awkwafina
For over 10 years, Directions in Sound has been the Festival’s premier Asian and Asian American music showcase featuring emerging and cutting-edge artists. Bringing together leading Asian American musicians, Directions in Sound exposes Bay Area audiences to innovative artists from the underground music scene, many of whom have built strong online followings and created new definitions of success. This year’s program features hip-hop and future beats from Cambodia, Vietnam, Los Angeles and the Bay Area.Inspired by the legendary beats of hip-hop’s iconic MC’s, this year’s Directions in Sound is bringing to the stage two of hip hop’s rising Asian and Asian American female artists. Hailing from Queens, New York, Awkwafina brings her satirical and witty lyrics to CAAMFest with her viral hits “My Vag” and “Yellow Ranger.” Emerging from LaGuardia High School, the same school that molded Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks, Awkwafina’s hipster, comedic New York swag will be on full display when she hits the Mercer stage.Joining Awkwafina is Suboi, better known as Vietnam’s “Queen of Hip-Hop,” who will be giving her first ever U.S performance. Influenced by the likes of Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Aaliyah among CAAMFest 2015 gets a taste of Vietnam hip hop royalty with Suboi’s signature mix of international style and urban hip hop flavor.Rounding out the night will be Los Angeles-based Kronika, representing the highly acclaimed Soulection crew, two-time World Champion DJ Vinroc, along with ConnectFlow radio host and party rocker DJ Bluz.Hosted by Asian American Hip-Hop pioneer, CHOPS of the Mountain Brothers.
Sponsored by Singapore Airlines
NARRATIVE AND DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
MAN-UP! by Justin Chon
Presenting an array of compelling stories and charming comedic anecdotes, this year’s Narrative Competition includes MAN-UP! (dir. Justin Chon) a buddy comedy following two deadbeat friends forced to grow up quickly; NUOC 2030 (dir. Nghiem-Minh Nguyen-Vo) a sci-fi crime mystery set in Vietnam, where global warming has lead sea levels to rise; and THE SISTERHOOD OF NIGHT (dir. Caryn Waecther) a bold young adult thriller about three high school girls whose secretive friendship throws their small town community into a modern day witch hunt. Other competition films include LOVE ARCADIA (dir. Lawrence Gan) a coming of age story of a young man’s journey dealing with the lessons of holding on, letting go and loving what you have; MISS INDIA AMERICA (dir. Ravi Kapoor) about a young girl who is desperate to win at all costs; SHE LIGHTS UP WELL (dir. Joyce Wu) a dramedy that follows a struggling New York actress’ return home where she stumbles upon a sense of purpose; and CICADA (dir. Dean Yamada) a moving portrait of an introverted schoolteacher whose discovery of his infertility leads him to a greater appreciation of his surrounding relationships.
9-MAN by Ursula Liang
The Documentary Competition features seven unique Asian and Asian American stories including several CAAM funded and produced projects. This year’s documentaries include: 9-MAN (dir. Ursula Liang), the story about a gritty Chinese-only street-ball game born in the alleys and parking lots of local 1930s Chinatowns; ALL EYES AND EARS (dir. Vanessa Hope), a complex and timely exploration into the links between U.S and China through the eyes of U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman and his adopted Chinese daughter Gracie Mei; and CHANGING SEASON: FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE MASUMOTO FAMILY FARM (dir. Jim Choi) documenting a transitional year in the life of famed peach farmer David “Mas” Masumoto and his relationship with his daughter Nikiko. Also included are, THE LAST SEASON (dir. Sara Dosa) following a Cambodian freedom fighter and a refugee as they form a new family in their hunt for rare matsutake mushrooms; TASHI’S TURBINE (dir. Amitabh R. Joshi) about two young friends trying to fulfill their dream of bringing sustainable wind energy to a small village in Upper Mustang, Nepal; TOP SPIN (dir. Sara Newens and Mina T. Son) examining the story of three young kids fighting their way through the challenges of the ping pong world to fulfill their Olympic dreams; and TOUGH LOVE (dir. Stephanie Wang-Breal) an intimate, inside look at two parents navigating the American child welfare system to reunite their families.
CINEMASIA
LA SALADA by Juan Martin Hsu
A collection of some of the best international Asian films, CinemAsia has always been an integral part of the festival’s vision and this year’s crop of films is no exception, introducing new international voices from Argentina, Iran, India, Singapore and Japan, among many others. Highlights include: TALES (dir. Rakhshan Banietemad) a strategically pieced puzzle of working- class Iranians all trying to get their voices heard; LA SALADA (dir. Juan Martin Hsu) a story about an unlikely cast of Korean, Taiwanese and Bolivian immigrants who converge in the bustling discount market of Argentina’s La Salada; and 0.5MM (dir. Ando Momoko), following a Japanese caregiver for the elderly, whose moral standards are tested when she begins relationships with old men. The program also includes, PARTNERS IN CRIME (dir. Chang Jung-chi, TOUCH OF THE LIGHT) a thrilling Taiwanese tale about the discovery of a young girl’s body and the disparate lives of three teenagers searching for clues of her alleged suicide; HOLLOW (dir. Ham Tran, HOW TO FIGHT IN SIX INCH HEELS) a Vietnamese horror flick, featuring a family terrorized by their dead daughter who has come back to life, possessed by a vengeful spirit; and AS YOU WERE (dir. Liao Jiekai) a Singaporean drama about lovers experiencing the inescapability of erosion and the velocity of change. Rounding out the CinemAsia section is RIVER OF EXPLODING DURIANS (dir. Edmund Yeo), a tale about young love and the repercussions of political activism when a small Malaysian town is threatened by a radioactive powerplant; JALANAN (dir. Daniel Ziv) a rare look at the vibrant subculture of Jakarta’s street buskers; and STORM CHILDREN: BOOK 1 (dir. Lav Diaz) an unwavering silent documentary about the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines.
GENERAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION
CAAMFest is a presentation of the Center for Asian American Media. CAAMFest, formerly the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF), is a celebration of film, music, food and digital media from the world’s most innovative Asian and Asian American artists. CAAMFest takes place March 12-22, 2015 in San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. San Francisco venues include: Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street; Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, 1881 Post Street; New People Cinema, 1746 Post Street; Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson Street; Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street; 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna Street; The Office, 194 Church Street, Mercer, 255 Rhode Island Street, Hotel Kabuki, 1625 Post Street, California College of the Arts, Timken Hall, 1111 8th Street; Oakland venues include: The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th Street; Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street; Berkeley venues include: Pacific Film Archive Theater, 2575 Bancroft Way.
FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Excluding special events, panels, galas and special screenings, advanced general admission tickets are $14. Tickets for students, seniors (65+) and disabled adults are $13 (Limit 1 per program with ID only). Tickets for Center for Asian American Media members are $12 (Limit 2 per program per ID). Tickets go on sale to CAAM members only on Thursday, February 12, 2015 (online only) and open to the general public beginning Tuesday, February 17, 2015 (online only). Tickets can be purchased in person at our CAAMFest box office at Sundance Kabuki Cinemas starting Thursday, February 26, 2015.
About CAAMFest
CAAMFest, formerly the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF), takes place March 12-22, 2015 in the San Francisco Bay Area. CAAMFest is a celebration of film, music, food and digital media from the world’s most innovative Asian and Asian American artists.
ABOUT CAAM
CAAM (Center for Asian American Media) is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. CAAM does this by funding, producing, distributing and exhibiting works in film, television and digital media. For more information on CAAM, please visit www.caamedia.org