From the "Biz" Archives:

by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE, with a report by Mark Rabinowitz/indieWIRE

>> New York's Asian American International Film Festival Set for 22nd Event

The 22nd Asian American International Film Festival kicks off in New York on July 23rd with the presentation of the Asian American Media Award to filmmakers Dai Sil Kim-Gibson and Emiko Omori. Sammo Hung will receive the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event is set to open with the North American Premiere of Kang Jegyu's "Shiri." Also having its North American Premiere at the event is Glen Goei's "That's The Way I Like It." New York Premiere's include Loc Do's "Bastards," Tim Chey's "Fakin' Da Funk," Tom Huang's "Freshmen," Darshan Bhagat's "Karma Local," Philip Kan Gotanda's "Life Tastes Good," Benson Lee's "Miss Monday," VV Dachin Hsu's "My American Vacation," Shundo (Toshimichi) Okawa's "Nobody," and Dai Sil Kim-Gibson's "Silence Broken: Korean Comfort Women."

[For more information, call (212) 925-6014.]

>> Guggenheim Spotlights "Mexperimental" Cinema

LA-based doc filmmaker and instructor Jesse Lerner and UCLA Ph.D. program student and videomaker Rita Gonzalez have teamed to curate the selection of "Mexperimental Cinema" that is now screening through July 28th at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. The two will lead a discussion tonight (Wednesday) with Mexperimental film and videomakers Ximena Cuevas & Juan Jose Gurrola that will be moderated by film critic Naief Yehya.

"A roller-skating nun spray paints prophecies of the death of rock-and-roll on the walls of Mexico City high-rises," begins an introduction to the series, continuing, "The angular, succulent leaves of the maguey plant dance to the rhythm of Shostakovich's 11th Symphony. A feminist prankster wreaks havoc in a monastic order by adding LSD to the friars' drinking supply. Experimental Mexican cinema jests with established forms and anarchically subverts the conventional."

According to organizers, the roots of Mexperimental Cinema begin in the "aftermath of the Mexican Revolution," and continue with the often overlooked "alternative filmmaking practices from Mexico," incorporating work influenced by Eisenstein and Bunuel. Included in the event are countercultural work from the 60's and experimental work by U.S. filmmakers who looked to Mexico as a source of "mythic imagery."

[For a complete screening schedule and ticketing information, visit the Guggenheim website at: , or call (212) 360-4321.]

>> Maillot and Mendelsohn Tops as 16th Avignon Fest Wraps in France

The 16th Avignon Film Festival wrapped up on June 27th, with the festival presenting awards to French and American films that screened throughout the weeklong event in "The City of the Popes" in Southern France. The Tournage Awards (best film) were given to French director Jacques Maillot for his film "Our Happy Lives" ("Nos vies heureuses") and Eric Mendelsohn for "Judy Berlin." The Panavision Awards for best short film went to American director Werner Bargsten for "Sparks" and French director Laurent Tirard, for "Reliable Sources" ("De source sure").

The SACD (Dramatic Society of Authors and Composers of Paris) best screenplay awards went to Pamela Dresser for "The King and Me" and Bruno Bontzolakis for "All For One" ("Chacun pour soi"). The award for best Director of Photography, the Kodak Vision Award, went to Michael Barrow for Aris Iliopolous' "I Woke Up Early the Day I Died." Additionally, the jury gave a special prize to Lisa Gossels and Dean Wetherell for their film "The Children of Chabannes."
[Mark Rabinowitz]