Due to inclement weather, AAIFF has decided to cancel its community screening in Manhattan Chinatown. The special showing of Festival selection Pastry was originally scheduled as a free event in Colombus Park on Friday, July 31 at 8:00 p.m.

AAIFF is disappointed to cancel the event but still proud to present its other community screenings this week at the Maysles Cinema in Harlem and Queens Library in Flushing.

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The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) announced today additional screenings to be held on the weekend following the main Festival events. Asserting the need for community among media artists, AAIFF has made several changes to this year’s Festival. One such change is bringing its films closer to the audience; AAIFF has expanded its outreach effort to provide community screenings in Harlem, Manhattan Chinatown and Flushing, Queens.

The Festival continues its partnership with the Maysles Institute in Harlem with a screening of documentary feature Whatever It Takes on Thursday, July 30th at 7:00 p.m. The film, which won the Audience Choice Award at this year’s Festival, follows the first year of principal Edward Tom at the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics, a small, specialized school that is still working to patch the cracks in America’s public education system.

On Friday, July 31st at 8:00 p.m., AAIFF and the Chinatown Partnership will host an outdoor screening and block party in Columbus Park in Manhattan Chinatown. The Festival invites local residents and visiting tourists to see Hong Kong film Pastry, a playful story about love, marriage and growing up.

Venturing out to the Queens Library in Flushing, the Festival will showcase two feature films, Li Tong and Karma Calling. Both were Festival highlights: Karma Calling was the only feature to be screened twice during AAIFF, and Li Tong’s director, Nian Liu, won the jury award for Best Emerging Director in Narrative Feature. Following the feature presentations will be a collection of short films from the Festival program, Home Is Where the Heart Is. The screenings will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1st.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who missed the main Festival to see some of its best films,” commented John Woo, Acting Executive Director of Asian CineVision. “It’s also part of our resolution to overcome the financial pressure that faces the arts this year. AAIFF was conceived as a space for emerging artists to showcase their work, and with these screenings, we ensure that this space is preserved within New York communities- especially within underserved communities that have a great need for cultural and artistic expression.”

A complete listing of screening events and venues follows:

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Asian CineVision (ACV) announced the award winners of the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) last night at Chelsea’s Clearview Cinemas in New York. Executive Producer Liliana Chen bestowed the honors to five filmmakers as part of the Festival’s closing ceremonies.

First announced was Iemi Hernandez-Kim, director of the short film Ayi’s Story and winner of the One to Watch award, an audience voted award that recognizes talent in filmmakers under the age of 21. Ayi’s Story follows the journey of a teenaged girl from Brooklyn to numerous destinations in China, capturing her experiences in documentary and video-journal style.

Kim Snyder, director of the short film Crossing Midnight, won the award for Excellence in Short Filmmaking. Her documentary on the efforts of health workers to treat Burmese refugees deals with the issue of human rights through the lens of medicine.

Also putting a spotlight on the plight of persecuted minorities is director Ngawang Choephel, who won the award for Best Emerging Director in Documentary Feature. His film, Tibet in Song, explores the traditional folk music of Tibet, China’s impact on this tradition, and Choephel’s own political imprisonment during his attempt to capture his subject on film.

Chinese director Nian Liu won the award for Best Emerging Director in Narrative Feature. Her film, Li Tong, used the fictional story of a schoolgirl losing her bus pass as a means of exploring and exposing the many cultural, socioeconomic and personal facets of contemporary Beijing.

Director Christopher Wong won the Audience Choice Award, which was based on votes cast by the audience during the Festival’s various screenings. His documentary feature, Whatever It Takes, follows the progress of the Bronx Center of Science and Mathematics in its first year of operation, focusing especially on the relationship between principal Edward Tom and student Sharifea Baskerville.

“It’s an honor in itself to be able to present these awards,” remarked Chen after the ceremony. “Despite the economic downturn, we decided early on that we would not forsake the spirit of community that is the anchor of AAIFF, and in fact that spirit has been our greatest strength. We’re grateful for the diversity of filmmaking talent that has been brought together and proud of the event that has taken place here in New York.”

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Today is the final day of the 32nd annual Asian American International Film Festival! Tickets are still available for the following programs:

Manilatown Is in the Heart – 12:00pm, Chelsea Clearview

Family Matters Shorts Program – 12:00pm, MOCA

Screenplay Reading: The Emperor Has Arrived – 1:00pm, MOCA

Fun and Fantasy Shorts Program – 2:15pm, MOCA

Pastry – 2:45pm, Chelsea Clearview

Panel Discussion: Copyright and Film – 3:30pm, MOCA

CUNY Shorts Program – 4:30pm, MOCA

We will be closing the Festival with a very special screening of Fruit Fly. Do not miss this film; pick up a ticket for the show at the Clearview box office to experience H.P. Mendoza’s vibrant romp through the arts and identities of a very musical San Francisco.

After the Q&A Session for the film, we will be presenting this year’s awards for Excellence in Short Filmmaking, Best Emerging Director in Narrative Feature and Best Emerging Director in Documentary Feature. We will also be revealing our One to Watch award for best youth director, and the Audience Choice award for the film that received the highest marks from Festival viewers.

Our closing ceremonies will be followed by a gala reception and afterparty at Velour, 297 10th Ave. @ W. 27th St. Join us in congratulating this year’s winners and celebrating all of the filmmakers and film lovers who have made AAIFF’s 32nd year a rousing success!

Important Information About Your Tickets
All tickets are general admission. Ticketholders should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to showtime. Late ticketholders will not be guaranteed seating as seats are released to the rush line once the program starts. All programs are subject to change. NO REFUNDS. EXCHANGES ONLY.

Picking Up Tickets
Advance tickets orders will be available at all venues beginning FRIDAY, JULY 24. Tickets will be held at the Will Call desk at the venue of their respective program. Please present your e-confirmation, ID, or credit card to receive your tickets. Members, students and seniors must present a valid ID.

Sold Out Programs & Rush Tickets
In the event of a sold-out program, a rush line will form 30 minutes before the start of the program. Rush tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis depending on availability. Check the website for updates on sold out shows. CASH ONLY.

Methods of Purchase
We accept cash (US dollars only), checks, money orders (payable to Asian CineVision), Visa, and MasterCard. There is a $20 fee on all returned checks. Restrictions may apply. All orders are subject to availability.