New York, NY -- March 1, 2013 -- The Asian American Film Lab (Film Lab) is pleased to announce the Ninth Annual 72-Hour Film Shootout ("Shoot-out") will be taking place this year from May 31 to June 3, 2013. The Shootout is a worldwide competition in which filmmaking teams are given a common theme at the start and have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. Teams compete for cash and prizes and the chance to have their films screened at the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival, organized by Asian CineVision, the only festival of its kind on the East Coast. This year, registration will be available online at
The intention of this competition is to create opportunities for filmmakers of color, with a focus on Asian Americans, to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry, and impact the visibility of diverse stories and characters in film and television.
One of the Shootout requirements is that at least one key production member (e.g., director, producer, or writer) and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent.
2012 Top Ten Shootout filmmaker, David J. Lee, in describing how the 72-Hour Shootout creates a call to action, allowing filmmakers to empower themselves to tell their own stories to the world, stated: "[F]or our team, the 72-Hour Shootout films have always been more about fun and instant gratification in a craft that is usually very resource- intensive and slow-moving. These films have always been more of a way to test our current skills, or to kick our butts into taking action."
"Competing [in the 72-Hour Shootout] has definitely strengthen[ed] my film-making by challenging us to complete a film within a certain theme and time frame. These experiences are vital to help you sustain yourself in the entertainment industry," agreed filmmaker Rommel Andaya, whose film is now also an Official Selection of the 13th San Diego Asian Film Festival.
James Y Shih, winner of the 2012 72-Hour Shootout Grand Prize, whose film is now being featured at CAAMfest (formerly SFIAAFF) as part of the One-on-One shorts program and has been accepted to the Oregon Asian American Film Festival DisOrient, explained, "[T]he nature of the [Shootout is that] forces you to FILM, instead of making excuses, and that was something I needed. It's very easy to feel unprepared and unconfident so that you never make that first step, but what the Shootout does is break down those barriers so that instead of worrying about your inadequacies, you're too busy pre-producing, shooting, and editing to care. This can lead to some happy surprises."
The 9th Annual 72-Hour Film Shootout begins on the evening of Friday, May 31, 2013, at 8PM (EST). The competition theme will be announced at the official Shootout Launch Party at The Official Shootout Party Venue, The White Rabbit, in New York City and simultaneously posted online for competitors worldwide.
The top ten (10) finalists will screen at the New York Asian American International Film Festival organized by Asian CineVision (July 24-August 3, 2013). Prizes, sponsored by Executive Wear NY and others, will be awarded.
In connection with the Shootout, the Film Lab will be hosting several pre-launch events
including a FREE interactive film-making how-to workshop to teach first-time and veteran filmmakers alike how to create their best possible film within 72 hours and a team-building and networking event for Shootout registrants to attend to meet like-minded individuals and put their Shootout teams together. For further information about the Film Lab and the Shootout, including viewing past winning films, please visit us on the web at click here or email Shootout Coordinator, David Dennis, at Shootout@film-lab.org.
As 2013 Shootout Coordinator David Dennis says, "Let the games begin!"
About The Asian American Film Lab
The Asian American Film Lab (Film Lab) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the promotion and support of gender and ethnic diversity in film and television through free monthly educational and outreach programming and the acclaimed annual 72-Hour Shootout film-making competition ( http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.org ). This annual competition has inspired hundreds of filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career. The Film Lab was formed in 1998 by collaborative of New York-based filmmakers whose goals were to hone their craft and to share their knowledge, experience, and resources. The membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists, and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting all filmmakers of color, with a focus on Asian Americans, and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.
The Film Lab is run under the direction of President Jennifer Betit Yen and the 2013 Shootout will be coordinated by David Dennis, an animator and filmmaker whose first 35-MM short film, NIKDO, was shot with the support of Panavision and Barrandov Studios. David is a graduate of NYU. Acting and Advisory Board members include Aaron Woolfolk, Eric Lin, Bea Soong, John Woo, Erik Lu, and James Kyson.
The Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Membership and all contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
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