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In its 7^th year, the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival featured a growing selection of films for audiences eager to understand and identify with Asian filmmakers.  

The not-for-profit festival received sponsorships from several culture houses and corporate donors to offer movies by Chinese Americans, Indians, Japanese, Filipinos, Sikhs, and even a Korean based in Germany, according to Festival President Christian Oh.

The week-long event was a way to shed light on an industry sometimes untapped by the mainstream. As an amateur filmmaker, Oh recognized the strides minorities have made in the field. He is currently working on a documentary about guide dogs for the blind.

“It’s warranted that it’s going to be a struggle,” Oh said. “My parents wanted me to be an engineer and to follow my father’s footsteps. But I came to realize that I could do things that not only feed the mind, but also feed the soul. Filmmaking is part of my outlet for creativity.”

At the festival, matters of the soul came in the form of political and social commentary. The movie Sentenced Home, directed by David Grabias and Nicole Newnham, takes an in-depth look at three Cambodian men facing deportation. Other films include comedies, documentaries, and several drama pieces.

The festival also featured a number of shorts, such as the Official 2006 Sundance Selection Fumi and the Bad Luck Foot, the animation by David Chai. A complete listing of films is available online: http://www.apafilm.org. Tickets are $5-10, with discounts for students and seniors.

“What I hope people will get out of this is that there is a talent regardless of race and ethnic background and that they can find the common thread that brings us together,” Oh said. “We are human beings and have similar emotions and response. We all feel and get hurt the same way … But what they may not understand is the immigrant experience of having to uproot yourself from one country and the hardships of adjusting in another country.”

For actor Chris Tashima, the films are not directed at minority audiences alone.

“It’s important that Asian Americans are included in the American picture in general,” he said. “Because movies are such a popular art, you realize that it’s an important social issue for everyone – it affects the self esteem of kids and adults.”

Tashima made a trip out to Washington, D.C., with actress Allison Sie and director Eric Byler for a debut of Americanese. Adapted from Shawn Wong’s novel “American Knees,” the film received the Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Ensemble Cast and the Audience Award for Narrative Feature at the South by Southwest Film Festival. The movie is slated for national release in 2007.

“I think it’s important for people to see themselves reflected in the media, whether that’s popular media or independent media or media from the community,” said Anna Petrillo, APA Film board member. “People want to see themselves and they want to see their families and their experiences reflected. And they want to be able to identify with that because it validates your experiences.

Virginia resident Eunice Yi attended two screenings at the film festival and plans to attend a third on closing night.

“For me, the movies are all about culture,” she said. “There are so many people who love Asian films, but we usually can’t find an outlet for it. I thought the film festival was a great way to introduce my non-Asian friends to these movies.”

Eve & The Fire Horse will close the festival Saturday, Oct. 7. The award-winning film details the experiences of a Chinese girl in Canada whose “curiosity leads her on a remarkable exploration into the virtues of childhood.” The showing, sponsored by the Organization of Chinese Americans, will also include an appearance by the filmmaker and cast.

The festival is not limited to the big names, said President Oh. Budding filmmakers are encouraged to submit personal projects to APA film a year in advance. Once submitted, the films undergo a screening process. The festival’s programming committee looks at the quality of a film, story line, cinematography and production. Oh also suggests that the films promote the festival’s mission to provide cultural awareness.

“Our hope is that filmmakers of any background and level can successfully exhibit their viewpoints and the nuances of Asian culture through this medium,” he said.