San Diego Asian Film Festival Kicks Off Tonight 10/21

The San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is excited to announce its eleventh season which runs TONIGHT, OCTOBER 21, through October 28, 2010 at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas (7510 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92108). 

As one of the largest film exhibitions of its kind in North America, the SDAFF kicks off  a brand new decade and 11^th Festival with more than 140 films from  20 countries including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India,  Ireland, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico,  North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea,  Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the U.S.  

More than 100 filmmakers and actors are scheduled to attend including John Cho (Harold and Kumar, Star Trek), Aaron Yoo (21, The Wackness), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), Justin Lin (Director Fast and the Furious),  Justin Chon (Twilight), Danny Pudi (Community), Ellen Wong (Scott Pilgrim Vs The World) and Harry Shum Jr. (Glee, League of Extraordinary Dancers).  The Festival will also honor CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment).

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:   

• Opening night film on Thursday, October 21 with the U.S. premiere of LEGEND OF THE FIST, an epic Chinese martial arts film starring Donnie Yen

• Closing night film on Thursday, October 28 with Taiwanese crowd-pleaser, AU REVOIR TAIPEI 

• Spotlights on trans-racial adoption (4 feature films) with most directors in attendance for Q&A

• Free Films at Four - every weekday at 4PM films are free to the public

• All fourteen short film programs including will be presented in HD for the first time

• Special events each night, including Gala Awards Dinner (Oct 23), live music showcase, and a panel celebrating the art of dance in films and music videos.

 "We are especially grateful to our top sponsors - Toyota, our Official Car Sponsor, Barona, and Wells Fargo, for supporting our vision. Thanks to the generous support of many corporate partners, we are able to present a high quality, meaningful Festival experience," says SDAFF executive director Lee Ann Kim.

Since the Festival ends less than a week from the general election, the SDAFF is also promoting civic responsibility and democratic participation through a campaign called REEL IN THE VOTE, showcasing Public Service Announcements that were created by artists to encourage Asian Americans to vote.

Tickets can be purchased at the Hazard Center UltraStar box office.  Festival updates are available on cell phone by texting "SDAFF" to 53137.  For ticketing info, film details, and schedule, please go to www.SDAFF.org.