November 29, 2009 | Yvonne Lim Wilson
Advertisements
"Children of Invention," a film directed by Tze Chun, took the top award -- the newly created AWM Visionary Award -- at the Austin Asian American Film Festival. The awards were announced at the closing brunch at Piranha Killer Sushi on Nov. 15.
"Flim is about a great story and capturing the emotions," said juror Eric Pham. "I deeply cared about the characters and that always wins."
The film is about single mom Elaine Cheng who gets involved in a dubious pyramid scheme. When she doesn’t return home one night, her children must fend for themselves. The film has also won more than ten festival awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
The AMW Visionary Award was created in honor of Amy Wong Mok, founder and CEO of the Asian American Cultural Center. Mok has been a long-time supporter of the festival.
"Amy Wong Mok has been a part of the festival before I was here," said festival director Masashi Niwano. "She's been supportive in every way. [This award is about] the best films, the films that deal with social justice and pushes the Asian community forward in a new way."
Mok joked, "Now I can die and become immortal!" She spoke of the strong leadership Niwano has provided the festival.
"The leadership is really about humility. You have to be so strong and secure and have a vision beyond self-interest. Masashi has taken this festival to a different level," Mok said.
A special jury award/honorable mention was given to Ed Radke's "Speed of Life."
"It was a very hard decision because all the films were so amazing," said PJ. "One film had a special point of view, intensity and creative and that was Ed Radke's 'Speed of Life.'"
Short film winners were decided later in the day and announced on the festival website.
The AWM Visionary Award winner will also win the opportunity to pitch and possibly distribute the film, Pham said.
"I hope people watch that film," Pham said. "The festival is fantastic for Austin. It's going to grow bigger and bigger every year. This is just the beginning."
2009 was the festival's biggest year since it began six years ago. In addition to films, the festival also featured parties, live music, an outdoor screening and a panel discussion with Angry Asian Man. About 80 percent of films were sold out this year.
ADVERTISEMENTS
0 comments - be the first to comment!