From: APAFirstWeekend@...

Date: March 15, 2006 2:11:02 AM CST

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Subject: APA FIRST WEEKEND - SXSW UPDATE - AMERICANESE TAKES HOME 2 AWARDS; EUNEE CHO'S INNER CIRCLE LINE TAKES AWARD; AND SCOTT MITSUI PRODUCER OF 'JAM' GETS THE JURY PRIZE FOR DOCUMENTARY!

SPECIAL ALERT:

Dear APA FIRST WEEKEND FILM CLUB MEMBERS,

Asian Americans represented proudly tonight at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Awards 2006!

Filmmaker ERIC BYLER took home two awards for his film AMERICANESE starring Chris Tashima, Allison Sie, Joan Chen and Kelly Hu.  Byler's second film won the SXSW JURY PRIZE FOR BEST ENSEMBLE ACTING and the SXSW AUDIENCE AWARD FOR NARRATIVE FEATURE!  Byler had previously won the Audience Award four years ago for CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES. 

Director EUNEE CHO took home one award for her film, INNER CIRCLE LINE - with the SXSW JURY PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING VISUAL ACHIEVEMENT.

And producer SCOTT MITSUI was among his co-producers (MYLES BENDER and MARK WOOLLEN - also the director) who took home the SXSW GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY for their film JAM, which chronicles the lives of former "roller derby" superstars and the young man who is trying to revive the sport and the stardom of these infamous athletes.

All in all, SXSW is fast becoming a very important film festival in the United States for independent films.  For future filimmakers with projects, make sure to put this fest on your list.

Here's a list of winners:

AUDIENCE AWARDS
Narrative Feature
Winner:
"AMERICANese" Dir. Eric Byler
Documentary Feature
Winner:
"Darkon" Dir. Andrew Neel & Luke Meyer
Lone Star States
Winner:
"State VS Reed" Dir. Ryan Polomski & Frank Bustoz

Runner Up:
"Slam Planet: War of the Words" Dir. Mike Henry & Kyle Fuller
Emerging Visions
Winner:
"High Score" Dir. Jeremy Mack
Runner Up:
"Manhattan, Kansas" Dir. Tara Wray

JURY AWARDS
Narrative Feature
Winner:
"Live Free or Die" Dir. Andy Robin & Gregg Kavet
Special Jury Prize - Outstanding Visual Achievement:
"Inner Circle Line" Dir. Eunhee Cho
Special Jury Prize - Outstanding Ensemble Cast:
"AMERICANese" Dir. Eric Byler
Documentary Feature
Winner:
"Jam" Dir. Mark Woollen
Special Jury Award:
"Maxed Out" Dir. James D. Scurlock
Texas High School Competition
Winner:
"Maikafer" Dir. Chris Hergert
Runner Up:
"Weathered" Dir. Elizabeth Mims
Music Videos
Winner:
Ralfe Band "Women Of Japan" Dir. Nigel Coan & Ivana Zorn
Runner Up:
The Sad Little Stars 'Don't Fuck With Love' Dir. Rachel McIntosh & Jim Starace
Experimental Shorts
Winner: (tie)
"Sea Change" Dir. Joe King & Rosie Pedlow
"Marion" Dir. Ry Russo-Young
Runner Up:
"Stadtplan" Dir. Reynold Reynolds
Animated Shorts
Winner:
"The Wraith of Cobble Hill" Dir. Adam Parrish King
Runner Up:
"Tall Tales & Other Big Lies" Dir. Dano Johnson
Reel Shorts
Winner:
"Hiro" Dir. Matthew Swanson
Runner Up:
"Shortstop" Dir. Risa Machuca & Fanny Veliz

Congratulations to all!
And to our Asian American filmmakers and actors - keep represeting us well!

NOTE:  AMERICANESE is the opening night film for the SF ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL happening Thursday, March 16 in San Francisco.  Come see this award winning film!

See u in SF,

APA FIRST WEEKEND FILM CLUB