Film Lab Opens the 18th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Film Competition

NEW YORK - March 1, 2022 - PRLog -- Registration opened today for the Film Lab's 18th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout ("Shootout") filmmaking competition, which will take place in early June.  Filmmakers began registering online at www.film-lab.org for the worldwide filmmaking competition, designed to promote gender and ethnic diversity in media and empower emerging female filmmakers and filmmakers of color, particularly Asian Americans.  Judges include Marci Phillips (VP, Casting for ABC Primetime), Antony Wong (Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of The City University of New York (CUNY)), Daniel Sakaya of CrossingsTV, and more.

Shootout teams compete for film festival and television exhibition, mentorship from top executives at major networks, such as ABC, cash, and other prizes.  The top ten films have the chance to screen their films at the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival, the only festival of its kind on the East Coast. The Shootout creates opportunities for filmmakers of color and women, particularly 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 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.  The competition is also a perfect way for filmmakers, actors, writers, directors, editors, and "newbies" to learn, test their abilities and teamwork without any significant financial or time commitment.  "In light of all the challenges we've faced and are facing, from political turbulence to the pandemic to the rising levels of anti-AAPI hate and violence, we're hopeful this year's Shootout can bring about some constructive catharsis through the use of film," noted Film Lab's President, actor Jennifer Betit Yen.  This year's judges include Marci Phillips (ABC), Daniel Sakaya (CrossingsTV), Antony Wong (AAARI-CUNY), Tyler Ham Pong (KTP Prods.), Eric Lau (Solar VF Prods), Ernest Abuba (Pan Asian Rep), and more.  Sponsors include the Cre8sian Project, New York Women in Film and Television, ACV, AAIFF, and Face Off Unlimited, among others.

About the Asian American Film Lab

The Film Lab is a non-profit 501(c)(3) headquartered in New York City that has been dedicated to the promotion and support of gender and ethnic diversity in media since 1998.  The Film Lab accomplishes that goal in three ways:  (1) education; (2) outreach and support; and (3) film, television and online entertainment production.