Musical Film YELLOW ROSE, Starring Eva Noblezada and Lea Salonga, Wins Big at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

Diane Paragas' new musical film YELLOW ROSE premiered at opening night of Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) on May 2. The film took home the Grand Jury Prize, according to Variety. Eva Noblezada also took home the award for Breakthrough Performance.

The film stars Tony winner Lea Salonga and Tony nominee Noblezada. The festival ran from May 2-10 in Los Angeles. The cast also includes acclaimed country music artist Dale Watson (Friday Night Lights), Liam Booth (Ghosts Never Sleep), Gustavo Gomez (Walking Dead, ANIMAL KINGDOM), Libby Villari (Boyhood) , and Princess Punzalan (Mulawin, Mula sa Puso).

The film is written, directed, and produced by Paragas.

"I am so humbled that our film has been chosen for this honor," Paragas said in a statement. "Yellow Rose has taken over 15 years to make and it couldn't come at a more important time when anti-immigrant sentiment is at an all-time high. This is a story for everyone facing challenges in finding their voice, their dreams and, more importantly, their home."

Yellow Rose tells the story of a 17-year old Filipino American girl from Texas who secretly dreams of becoming a country music star of old. When her mom is arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, she runs away and is forced to embark on a journey to forge her own path or face deportation with her mother back to the Philippines. The film features original music composed and performed by the cast and director.

Read more on Variety.