Top Ten 72 Hour Shootout Films Premiere

NEW YORK - July 28, 2018 - PRLog -- The top ten films of the Film Lab's 14^thannual 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition (the "Shootout") premiered on July 28, 2018, at The Asian American International Film Festival.  The films showcase new and emerging writers, directors, producers, and actors of color, with a focus on Asian Americans, women and other filmmakers of color.

Jennifer Betit Yen, actor and President of the Film Lab, said, "It's always inspiring to see these diverse and talented artists come together and create such powerful films in just 3 days." Shootout Coordinator and past Shootout winner, Jatin Chhugani, reminded filmmakers of the Film Lab's new project, Immigrants:  We Are Them. They Are Us.  He asked filmmakers and audience members at the theatre to submit short personal stories based on that theme now that their Shootout films are done to filmlabproductions@film-lab.org.

The theme of this year's Shootout, "No More," created the focal point for the top ten winning line-up of films which included:

GRAND PRIZE: Extinct, Team Yellow Tiger, led by Veronica Dang
1st Runner Up:  The Struggle, Team Misfit Dog Productions, led by Brian Kim
2nd Runner Up:  The Casting Place, Team Kill the Pig Productions, led by Tyler Ham Pong
Remaining Top Ten Films:
The Itch, Team Alan, led by Alan Chen
The Deadbeat, Team Rising Glory, led by Tanya Huston
The Last Asian Superheroes, Team The Last Asian Superheroes, led by Jay Feng Cobb
Salvation, Team Changsteele, led by Will M. Chang
How To End A Date, Team Philasians, led by Phuong Nguyen
Hurt No More, Team Owl's Sprint, led by Victoria Moy
Shutout, Team Inspirasian, led by Kevin Chew

Individual prizes included:
Most Original Use of Theme NO MORE:Tanya Huston of The Deadbeat, Team Rising Glory
Best Screenwriter:  Kevin Chew of Shutout, Team Inspirasian
Best Director:  Brian Kim of The Struggle, Team Misfit Dog Productions
Best Cinematography:  Charlie Muentes, of The Struggle, Team Misfit Dog Productions
Best Actress:  TIE between Jamie Miller of "The Casting Couch" by Kill the Pig Productions and Rachel Yong of "The Itch" by Team Alan
Best Actor:  Brian Kim of Misfit Dog Productions "The Struggle"

About the 72 Hour Shootout
The Shootout is a worldwide filmmaking competition celebrating gender and ethnic diversity in film in which filmmaking teams are given this common theme at the start and have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. The films celebrate diversity and the filmmaking teams compete for industry mentorships, cash, prizes, and exhibitions ranging from the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival, the only festival of its kind on the East Coast, to CrossingsTV, AAFL TV and other exhibition venues.

The Shootout creates opportunities for filmmakers of color and women, with a focus on Asian Americans, to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry and create positive significant impact on the visibility of Asian and Asian American and other 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.  More information at www.film-lab.org (http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com/72-hour-shootout/) and https://www.facebook.com/72hrshootout.

About the Film Lab
The Film Lab is a non-profit 501(c)(3) headquartered in New York City that provides free or low cost programming to promote and support ethnic and gender diversity in film and television. The membership comprises professionals, artists and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting Asian American filmmakers and other filmmakers of color, and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.  Film Lab's programming includes the Industry Spotlight program, in which established industry professionals share their knowledge, expertise and advice via filmmaking workshops, screenings and more. Other Film Lab programs include Unfinished Works, a program for aspiring writers in which selected writers have their pieces performed by Film Lab Actor Directory members in a public table read, followed by a workshop moderated by Film Lab Unfinished Works Coordinator. The Film Lab also holds film competitions including the annual 72 Hour Shootout®, which has inspired hundreds of filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career. The Film Lab management team consists of Jennifer Betit Yen (President and Board Member, founder of AAFL TV Production Arm), Alex Ong (Treasurer and Board Member), Daryl King (Secretary and Board Member), Jean Hon (Fundraising and Marketing), Jatin Chhugani (2018 72 Hour Shootout staffer), and many more, along with a dedicated Board and event volunteers. Board members include James Kyson and Aaron Woolfolk, among others.  For more: www.film-lab.org.

About Asian CineVision (ACV) and the Asian American International Film Festival(AAIFF)

Asian CineVision, Inc is a not-for-profit national media arts organization committed to the development, exhibition, promotion and preservation of film and video by artists of Asian descent. Founded in 1975 ACV continues to serve the Asian American media arts community by promoting the works of Asian independent and Asian American filmmakers to the broadest possible audiences, providing a window to the diverse experiences of the Asian Diaspora.