Ningin is a community for anything Asian around the world. Entertainment, Celebrities, Movies, Music, TV, News, Politics. Be part of the community and express yourself!
Ningin is a community for anything Asian around the world. Entertainment, Celebrities, Movies, Music, TV, News, Politics. Be part of the community and express yourself!
The Asian American Film Lab (“AAfilmlab” or “AAFL”) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. We began as collaborative of New York-based filmmakers whose goals are to hone their craft and to share their knowledge, experience and resources. The membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists, and talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and to promote Asian American filmmakers and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.
The 72 Hour Film Shootout (“Shootout”) is a nationwide competition organized by AAfilmlab where filmmaking teams have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit and produce short films up to five minutes in length on a common theme. The intention of this competition is to create opportunities for Asian Americans to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry and to impact the visibility of Asian American stories and characters in film and television. At least one key production member and a lead actor from each team must be of Asian descent.
The Shootout begins on Friday, June 20, 2008, at 8 PM (EST), when the theme is announced, and ends Monday, June 23, 2008 at 8 PM (EST) when finished product is submitted.
There are many reasons to enter the Shootout. Instead of talking or dreaming about making a film, the Shootout is what gives you the chance to make a film. No excuse to drag your feet, you got a film to make in three days! In the grand scheme of things, three days is not a long time commitment – plus it’s a great rallying point to get your friends and colleagues involved in filmmaking. It’s a great opportunity to create or add to your “reel” whether you are an actor, producer, director, or writer.
You will have the chance to win cash and prizes, meet industry professionals and have your film screened at film festivals both here and abroad. The judges for the selected finalists comprise of leading actors, directors, producers, and industry professionals. This year our judges include include director Michael Kang (West 32nd), independent film producer, Karin Chien (The Motel, Robot Stories), Marci Phillips, Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment, among others.
Moreover, the Shootout gives you the opportunity to meet other people with the same creative interests. We are planning several events, including the launch party on June 20, 2008 and the screening party when the winning films are announced.
Not at all. While it is always helpful to have some filmmaking knowledge, many would-be filmmakers got their start with the Shootout. Don’t worry, AAfilmlab will host workshops, mixers and other events to get you on your way towards making that film.
The regular entry fee is $100 if your entry form is postmarked by June, 13, 2008. But if you register early, that is, having your entry form postmarked by June 6, 2008, the fee drops by half to $50. And if you are new or current member of AAfilmlab, you will get a $20 discount off the entry fee! If you drag your feet, the late entry fee is $150 but we must received your entry by June 19, 2008. Entry forms and rules can be found at our website at www.aafilmlab.org or www.72hourshootout.com.
The top ten finalists will be screened at this year’s New York Asian American International Film Festival organized by Asian Cinevision (July 10-19, 2008) to be held at the Asia Society. There, the winners in the various judging categories will be announced, including best picture, actors, directors, among others.
You can find us on the web at www.aafilmlab.org and www.72hourfilmshootout.com, sign up for our mailing list, or come to any of our weekly meetings.
The 72 Hour Shootout is open to participants from all over the country, including Canada, eh! - just overnight mini-DV tapes to us and ensure that it is postmarked by June 23rd, 2008 and that it reaches us by Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 at 10:30 am (EDT). Check out the rules for details. This is will be the second year Canadians will be participating, so let’s welcome our filmmaking friends from the North.!
Fret not. Anyone is allowed to compete in this competition. In fact, we prefer diversity. The only requirement is that your film has a person of Asian descent in a Lead Role and that you also have an person of Asian descent in a principal production position (Writer, Producer, Director, Editor, Director of Photography or Editor). If your Asian friend or family member can do both, that satisfies the requirement. So grab your talented Asian buddy and feature them in your film!
Good question. This year’s Shootout will include a special award category sponsored by the Museum of Chinese in America’s (MOCA) Chinatown Film Project. Team Films that incorporate Chinatown as a location or narrative device are eligible to be considered for this Award. It’s your choice if you want your film to be considered for the Chinatown Award or not. The inclusion (or absence) of the Chinatown element in your film will have no bearing whatsoever on the judging for other Shootout awards. The Chinatown Award will be comprised of in-kind services totaling $3,000.00 from Deluxe New York, a brand new state-of-the-art film lab and post-production facility. Team Films submitted for consideration in this award category will also be exhibited as part of MOCA’s Chinatown Film Project. Any film entered for consideration for the Chinatown Award must comply with all other rules of the Shootout (e.g., incorporation of the Shootout Competition Theme, producing your film within the 72 hour competition time period, etc.)
Yes. As an example, you can be the lead Asian actress as well as the director and the rest of your team Non-Asian.
Friends are a good start. If your friends have already used up their fifteen minutes of fame, then try posting on our message board for cast or crew or come to out pre-Launch Shootout mixers. Otherwise, check out Craigslist, Backstage, Actors Access/Breakdown Express, Mandy.com, AsianAve.com, etc. Be resourceful!
1. Subscribe to the email list.
2. Muster up a team and decide on a name. Your team must include 1 lead actor of Asian descent, and 1 Writer, Producer, Director, Editor, Director of Photography or Editor of Asian descent.
3. Fill out the Official Entry Form and send it to us along with your application fee. The Entry Form can be found in the Shootout Registration and Submission Documents file.
4. On June 20, 2008 at 8PM (EDT), we will unveil the Competition Theme of the 5th Annual 72 Hr Film Shootout on the website and at the Launch Party.
5. Shoot your brand new short film (up to 5 minutes long) incorporating the Competition Theme. This year we will have a separate awards category for the “Chinatown Award” for those Team Films that incorporate Chinatown as a location or narrative device. Note that opting in (or out) for the Chinatown Award will have no effect on the judging of the other Shootout categories.
6. If anyone on your team is under 18 years old, s/he must fill out and send the Parent / Guardian release form along with your short film submission.
7. Every team member must sign the Participant Agreement - which must be sent in along with your short film submission.
8. All teams must send their submissions, post-marked Monday, June 23, 2008 via mail carrier (USPS, FedEX, DHL, Airborne delivered packages are the only ones that will be accepted) to arrive at the Entry Address, Museum of Chinese in America, Attn: 72 Hour Film Shootout, 70 Mulberry Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10013 by 10:30 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, June 24, 2008. It is HIGHLY recommended teams use OVERNIGHT carrier. Filmmakers may opt to use non-overnight delivery services to save money, however at their own risk. NO DROP-OFFS (including messenger service) WILL BE ACCEPTED. Only works that are received by the above deadline via the aforementioned official mail carriers will be admitted into the Competition.
Read the official rules and make sure everything is in order. If you have any questions, contact us before the start of the Competition and we’ll get the answers to you.
We feel your pain. Having official carriers deliver the films will provide proof of delivery and minimize cheating, as well as give us a means to ensure that all teams, regardless of where they are located in the U.S., have 72 hours to compete. All teams must send their submissions, post-marked Monday, June 23, 2008 via mail carrier (USPS, FedEX, DHL, Airborne delivered packages are the only ones that will be accepted) to arrive at the Entry Address, Museum of Chinese in America, Attn: 72 Hour Film Shootout, 70 Mulberry Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10013 by 10:30 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, June 24, 2008. It is HIGHLY recommended teams use OVERNIGHT carrier. Filmmakers may opt to use non-overnight delivery services to save money, however at their own risk. NO DROP-OFFS (including messenger service) WILL BE ACCEPTED. Only works that are received by the above deadline via the aforementioned official mail carriers will be admitted into the Competition.
Send an email to info@aafilmlab.com. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can and will post other FAQ’s.