Philly Asian 2012 Announces Lineup!

The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival announced last Monday its full lineup, including critically-acclaimed Graceland! Find the full release below, with trailers included for some of the marquee films:

The 2012 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Presented by HBO will run from Wednesday, November 7th to Saturday, November 17th (with a break from Mon, Nov 12th to Thurs, Nov 15th) at the Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia) and the Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia). We are proud to announce our lineup and schedule. (iPhone users can also download the Festival Genius app to view our full film festival schedule on their smartphones)

Online Schedule & Ticketing – Tickets: $8 General Admission / $6 Students or Seniors
Tickets can be purchased online or for films at the International House you can also call their box office at 215.387.5125, or stop by from Tuesday – Saturday, 1pm-8pm.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012
LAUNCH NIGHT (FREE catered reception)
Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, Phila. 19107)
6PM – NO LOOK PASS – Get Tickets
No Look Pass is the coming-of-age, American Dream story of Emily ‘Etay’ Tay, (who’s been called the female Jeremy Lin) a first-generation Burmese immigrant from Chinatown, LA, who breaks all of the rules of tradition.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012
OPENING NIGHT FILM & FREE catered reception
Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
7PM – SHANGHAI CALLING – Get Tickets
Imagine a steady stream of immigrants, traveling across a vast ocean to a foreign country, searching for new jobs and better lives. But the immigrants are Americans, and the country they are moving to… is China. Shanghai Calling is a romantic comedy about modern-day American immigrants in an unfamiliar land. Starring Daniel Henney (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and featuring legendary Hollywood actor Bill Paxton. (Preceded by the HBO special “East of Main Street: Small Talk”)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
6:30PM – GRACELAND – Get Tickets
Both entertaining and disturbing, Graceland (which premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival) is a gritty and gripping crime thriller, weaving plots of political corruption and human trafficking into a kidnapping-gone-wrong narrative, making for one intense and unpredictable ride.
(Mature audiences: Explicit Content, Nudity, Graphic Violence, Children in Danger)
Starring Arnold Reyes, Menggie Cobarrubias and Dido de La Paz.

Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
8:30PM – SUNSET STORIES – Get Tickets
May (Monique Curnen), a high-strung and overly meticulous nurse, must return to Los Angeles to retrieve bone marrow for a transplant. Soon after her trip begins, her world turns upside down when past and present collide and she runs smack into JP (Sung Kang), the man she left behind five years ago. Executive produced by Justin Lin (Fast & Furious series).

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012
Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
12PM – Shorts Program 1 (FREE SCREENING!) – Get Tickets
Six stories of discovery, Asian American style

Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
2:30PM – A DECENT ARRANGEMENT – Get Tickets
With subtle comedy and true-to-life drama, A Decent Arrangement shows us a side of India not commonly seen by western audiences and delivers an affecting story that resonates with those of us in search of our place in a changing world. Starring Adam Laupus and Shabana Azmi.

CENTERPIECE FILM PRESENTED BY STATE FARM
Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
7PM – WHITE FROG – Get Tickets
White Frog is a universal story of the power of family, friendship, and love positioned to appeal to a broad audience in the same way as ORDINARY PEOPLE, JOY LUCK CLUB, and THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT. Starring Booboo Stewart (Twilight Saga), Joan Chen (The Last Emperor), BD Wong (Law & Order: SVU) and Harry Shum Jr (Glee).

Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
9:30PM – I AM A GHOST – Get Tickets
Emily, a troubled spirit, haunts her own house every day, wondering why she can’t leave. With the help of Sylvia, a clairvoyant hired to rid the house of spirits, Emily is forced into a ‘patient/therapist’ relationship, uncovering disturbing mysteries about her past that may help her move on to ‘the next place’. Starring Anna Ishida and Jeannie Barroga

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2012
Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
1PM – Shorts Program 2 (FREE SCREENING!) – Get Tickets
Notable new works from the Asian American film community

Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
3:30PM – UPLOADED: THE ASIAN AMERICAN MOVEMENT – Get Tickets
Uploaded: The Asian American Movement explores a generation finding its voice through new media. The documentary brings to light struggles and successes of leading Asian Americans–from both new media creators to long-time industry professionals–in the areas of music, film, and dance.

Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
7PM – YES, WE’RE OPEN – Get Tickets
Yes, We’re Open is a rollicking new sex comedy from the creators of COLMA: THE MUSICAL, starring Lynn Chen (Saving Face), Parry Shen (Better Luck Tomorrow), and Sheetal Sheth (Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World).

CLOSING NIGHT FILM & FREE CATERED RECEPTION SPONSORED BY COMCAST
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
Ibrahim Theater at the International House (3701 Chestnut St, Phila. 19104)
6PM – PEARLS OF THE FAR EAST – Get Tickets
The inner lives and forbidden loves of seven Vietnamese women form the beautiful string that runs through director Cuong Ngo’s feature film debut, Pearls of the Far East. The breathtaking images and spectacular landscapes from the north to the south of Vietnam show sides of the country distinct from traditional Western depictions and frame the mysteries and deep secrets of these lives.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012
Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, Phila. 19107)
1PM – MR. CAO GOES TO WASHINGTON – Get Tickets
Mr. Cao Goes To Washington is a fascinating character study of Rep. Joseph Cao (R-New Orleans) – the first Vietnamese American elected to the Congress and the only Republican to vote for President Obama’s Health Care Reform Bill. Will Cao make it through his term with his idealism intact?

Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, Phila. 19107)
3:15PM – TALK STORY WITH DANIEL HO (FREE EVENT!) – Get Tickets
Traditionally a Hawaiian instrument, the 4-stringed guitar-like ukulele has found a niche in popular music. Its unique sound brings an instant island tone to any piece of music. Learn about this incredible and beloved instrument in Hawaiian “talk story” style from 6 time Grammy Award winning artist and Hawaiian music legend Daniel Ho!

FESTIVAL FINALE SCREENING & FREE CATERED RECEPTION
Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, Phila. 19107)
4:30PM – MY KOALOHA STORY – Get Tickets
My KoAloha Story is a Made in Hawaii ‘talk story’ style documentary-music film about a family owned ukulele business and their special brand of old school Aloha. What was once a failed plastics business in the midst of bankruptcy is transformed into one of the most highly regarded and beloved ukulele companies in the world, KoAloha Ukulele. (Film will be followed by a special performance from Daniel Ho!)