PROGRAMMER’S PICKS

FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMMERS RECOMMEND THAT YOU SEE…

ESEEL BORLASA Recommends…

AWAKENING – THE RIVER OF FORGETFULNESS by Kitty Lin: A painfully beautiful and textured work that challenges you to identify what it is like to be left behind and forgotten.

SOSEFINA by Tresa Ponnor: Take pre-teen angst, cross cultural anxieties, and a loud comedic family; add a birthday party, imaginary house, punchy timing and a heartfelt message. Enjoy!

THE BOXER by Teddy Chen Culver and David Au: Teddy Chen Culver and David Au have given us a fresh generational tale. It took me on a ride from the familiar to “oh, damn!”

A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST by Bao Nguyen: This is a gorgeous marriage of moving image and edited interview selections. Bao’s skillful restraint elevates the storytelling beautifully.

LOVE, OLDER by Zaid Abu Hamdan: Don’t miss these vignettes that explore the highs and lows of love in the golden years. The characters will make you smile, laugh, and cry.

ESEEL BORLASA is down for indie film/music, APA community, and of course VC. She first began as a festival volunteer in 2000. This year, in addition to being a festival press officer, she puts on a programmer hat and takes on short films. Currently she is a film publicist at David Magdael & Associates.

AUSTIN JOSE Recommends…

CHUBBY CAN KILL by Kevin Ung: Ever felt like the underdog? Fantasized about taking control of it all? Wondered what would happen if you did? Wonder no more. Watch this, with paper shuriken in hand.

FIRECRACKER by Soham Mehta: A powerful and uplifting piece that soars above all emotional expectations of a short film. Like a watermelon in June, it is refreshing, vibrant, and delicious.

PARACHUTE KIDS by Allen Ho: Detached, lonely, unapologetic youngsters in the haze of modern adventure. This short makes you look at your own life, and likewise, wish much more from it.

SCRIPT by Albert Ventura: For the price of a movie ticket, you can have your mind blown. Suspense and thrills abound in this dialogue-driven short film.

TEAMWORK by Hong Seo-yun: Like the first fifteen minutes of UP! or the last of TOY STORY 3, this piece makes you well up inside in world-record time. Absolutely perfect.

AUSTIN JOSE is a Jersey native and occupational schizophrenic who drove to L.A. to escape the medical field. While working at Disney Interactive Studios, he became involved with Kollaboration, Visual Communications, and various film and music gigs. He likes hugs, Post-Its, and referential humor. Jammin’ on the one!

ALBERT LEE Recommends…

REMEMBER, O GODDESS by Yoon Jung Lee: An elegant meditation on memory, time, and love from Director Yoon Jung Lee, this visual poem defies traditional narratives and takes us on a dream-like journey that we will not soon forget.

A CROSSROAD CALLED MANZANAR by Cindy Fang: In a poignant film addressing the delicate truths of a young friendship and family surviving in difficult circumstances, Cindy Fang tells us a unique story of love, loss, and perseverance.

MASALA MAMA by Michael Kam: Combining elements of graphic novels and an unlikely friendship, Michael Kam gives us an overwhelmingly charming and heartfelt piece on how love and understanding can conquer all.

ROOM #11 by ManSee Kong: ManSee Kang provides an intimate window to what it means to lose more than just where we reside. Shot beautifully and directed artfully, join Kang in an understated, but harrowing, look into Room #11.

MIDNIGHT RIDE by Kuang Lee: Kuang Lee is somehow able to masterfully capture the twilight of Los Angeles at night, as we follow a midnight bike rider and how he may be able to find something sincere in a stranger he meets.

A recent graduate from the Engineering school at Columbia University, ALBERT LEE now dedicates his time to learning, understanding and spreading the passion for witnessing and sharing all types of cinematic storytelling. As an aspiring writer and director, Albert currently attends classes at the Los Angeles Film School to further hone his craft.

KRISTEN LEE Recommends…

THE LIGHTHOUSE by Po Chou Chi: The Lighthouse, a Korean animated film, is a touching pencil-sketched tale of a mentor’s lasting love, peddled by a tranquil piano accompaniment and a painted pastel canvas.

ASIAN AMERICAN JESUS by Yasmine Gomez: Behold! A witty parable with subtle commentary cues, tastefully executed through six caricatures. Solo act translated to screenplay, Samantha Chanse is phenomenal.

TOP SPIN by Mina T. Son and Sara Newens: This is not an ordinary docu-sports story. Son and Newens’ TOP SPIN is an honest and delightful profile of a female ping-pong child prodigy.

ALEX IKEDA: THE CREATION OF A SONG by Michael Inouye: Applauded for its organic visual and verbal storytelling, ALEX IKEDA: THE CREATION OF A SONG will irresistibly warm your soul.

KRISTEN LEE is a first-year short film programmer who is pursuing a Masters in Asian American Studies at UCLA. The Michigan-native directed her first short documentary film through UCLA’s EthnoCommunications, founded by VC legend Robert Nakamura. Kristen’s induction into the VC family occurred while volunteering for the 2010 LAAPFF and serving as VC’s summer archival intern.

VERA DeVERA Recommends…

SEESAW by Keijiro Kanyama: Whether you’ve ever loved and lost, hesitated to commit, or are still searching for your soulmate, you can’t helped but be touched by this poignant account of a modern-day relationship.

WHERE THE ROAD MEETS THE SUN by Mun Chee Yong: Fleeting encounters or lifelong friendships? Familiar faces are found among this cast of independent drifters whose lives intersect in a low-rent hotel in Los Angeles.

VERA DE VERA is a former Visual Communications board member and supporter since the days of ChiliVisions. Also a previous Film Festival programmer from “way back “ (1999, to be exact), she’s amazed at the advances in film technology — from screening entries on Beta to now downloading films for instant viewing. Kind of like toaster ovens vs. microwaves.

FENG-MEI HEBERER Recommends…

THE LULU SESSIONS by S. Casper Wong: An indispensable viewing experience for its upright honesty in documenting the beauty and pain of female intimacy and a love beyond the limits of life.

WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME? by Kimi Takesue: The precious experience of sharing with Kimi Takesue the discovery of the unknown rhythms of image, self and world: Where are you taking me?

FENG-MEI HEBERER is still around and in school and loves it. If she is not researching on the newest works on Asian transnational women’s self-performance, she does not really know what to do. Besides co-curating for film festivals in Germany.

DARA KIM Recommends…

FINDING FACE by Skye Fitzgerald and Patti Duncan: A gem of a documentary that takes a guileless account of a young woman who falls victim to an acid attack in Cambodia’s corrupt society. The film nurtures an assured emotional honesty in a quiet yet revealing, gritty manner of a woman who only wishes to continue living her life in safety and normalcy.

THE HOUSE OF SUH by Iris Shim: The story of a murder carried out by Andrew Suh — a young man undeniably devoted to family loyalty — unfolds in this compelling documentary. THE HOUSE OF SUH is chock-full of complex characters complemented by intriguing, intelligent storytelling that gives light to the reasoning behind a crime that shocked Korean American communities across the country.

DARA KIM returns to the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival for her second year on the Programming Committee. Finding inspiration through film and music, she hopes to use these inspirations to guide her in her post-graduate dilemma of landing a job. Dara is currently finishing her last year at UCLA.

JOEL QUIZON Recommends…

RESILIENCE by Tammy Chu: A mother is reunited with her son and attempts to recover the 30 years lost amidst the tangled complexities of life. What transpires is heartbreaking and captivating, but most of all we witness a undeniable portrayal of resilience.

PINOY SUNDAY by Wi Ding Ho: A simple plot about two Filipino migrant workers hauling a discarded sofa across Taipei, but the ordeal proves to be much more. Profoundness in a red leather sofa in a film upholstered with humble ideas and bittersweet longing.

A community arts organizer, film and Filipino music blogger and occasional DJ and filmmaker, JOEL QUIZON has previously worked in independent films in the U.S. and Philippines as well as stints in the record industry. A CSUN, Film School graduate, Joel is currently employed by a large media and entertainment conglomerate.

JULIE CHO Recommends…

CHERRY ON THE CAKE by Hyebin Lee: Circling the globe on a 40+ international festivals run, multi-award winning CHERRY ON THE CAKE is a sweet final treat you won’t want to miss.

JULIE CHO, mom to a story-loving five year old, is excited to be part of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival’s family program, where long-time festival fans can introduce their little ones to captivating independent short movies. A former festival artist and Armed with a Camera artist mentor, Julie teaches at UCI’s Departments of Asian American Studies and Film & Media.

CHRISTILILY CHIV Recommends…

THE ART OF RUNNING by PDUB Productions: A young boy is able to enjoy the beauty of his community because he sees his neighborhood through a different perspective.

CHRISTILILY CHIV is currently in the Public Allies Los Angeles program and is working at a non-profit called Youth Mentoring Connection. Her passion is working with youth in the realm of visual and performing arts. She believes that art is a powerful tool that can be used as a form of expression and education.

GENA HAMAMOTO Recommends…

WHAT’S UP WITH THE FUTURE! by Chickie Otani: Aging can be celebratory, sad, mysterious or exciting, depending on one’s attitude. In WHAT’S UP WITH THE FUTURE! Chicky and Jeannie approach aging with humor and you’ll be laughing along with them!

GENA S. HAMAMOTO is the Digital Literacy Program Manager in the Community Technology Department at the Little Tokyo Service Center. As a non-profit administrator, independent film producer, and educator, she is dedicated to empowering people by providing access to and training in new technologies and digital storytelling.

GRACE SU Recommends…

I AM NOT A PRINCESS by Eugene Lee Yang: An epic music video that retells the stories of fairy tale princesses, this piece truly showcases Eugene Lee Yang’s talent as an artistic visionary.

THAT GIRL by Wong Fu Productions: Wong Fu Productions got a whole lot sexier when they released this video. David Choi, a cute girl, and awesome animation. What’s not to love?

“ROCKETEER” LA DREAMER LIVE REMIX by Daniel “DPD” Park: This version’s better than the official music video. It captures a real essence of LA that can be appreciated by anyone looking beyond the surface.

GRACE SU aka “Peachies” wears many different hats. She will currently say that she’s a video editor, an actress, and a blogger (www.peachies.net). She has been involved with VC since 2005 beginning as an Armed With a Camera fellow and has now curated the music video program for five years.