Film Lab to Host 72 Hour Shootout Events and Screenwriting Workshop on March 27 and April 3 in NYC

NEW YORK - March 9, 2014 - PRLog -- The Asian American Film Lab (“Film Lab”) is pleased to announce two special 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition events, including an informational Q&A on March 27th and a filmmaking how-to event on April 3rd, along with an upcoming “Unfinished Works” performance event featuring a script reading and workshop of a new screenplay, followed by a discussion on the best methods to market and raise funds for a screenplay.

On March 27 at 7:00pm EST, the Film Lab's President, Jennifer Betit Yen, and Shootout Coordinator, Justin C. Lee, will provide an informational overview of the tenth annual 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition, including an opportunity to submit for televised broadcast and screen at film festivals in both New York and Los Angeles.  At 7:30pm, the Q&A will be followed by the Film Lab's long-running "Unfinished Works" program, in which Actor Directory members will be performing “Siddhi” and one more unfinished screenplay, which is to be announced, for your enjoyment under the direction of Lorna Nowve, the coordinator of the Film Lab's Unfinished Works program, who will then moderate a constructive Q&A and feedback session which provides the audience with an opportunity to participate in the creative process and interact directly with screenwriter and the cast members of the reading.  Lorna Nowve selected the screenplay “Siddhi,” by Padmini Devi Narumanchi, for this event.   In “Siddhi,” two sisters take a metaphorical train ride: the eternal internal quest for meaning in a material world. As Siddhi and Mara head towards the unknown, from train platform to ocean's edge, sibling rivalry dissolves in the journey for self.

On April 3rd, The Film Lab will present an exciting panel of past 72hr Shootout contest winners to discuss filmmaking how-to's for this year's 72 Hour Shootout competitors.  Written materials will be available for competitors not able to attend the NY event in person. Each of the panelists will share experience creating a short film in 72hrs, how to prepare, and what to look out for. Afterwards will be an opportunity to meet other filmmakers and start building your team.

Panelist include: Patrick Chen (Team: One In Mind “Welcome Home”), Kamran Kan (Team: Five Brown Guys and a Baby “Two Pieces”), Migina Tsai  (Team: Mad Fresh Daily “The Interview”), Kurt Uy (Team: Red Phone “Ins and Outs”) and many more! Dan Finley, moderator, says it will be "an insightful and educational evening."

The Industry Spotlight, “Preparing for the 72hr Shootout,” will take place in Manhattan on Thursday, April 3^rd, 2014, 7-9pm.   RSVPs through Eventbrite are required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-72-hour-shootout-filmmaking-how-to-seminar-tickets-10811039109.  Questions and comments to Daniel Finley at IndustrySpotlight@film-lab.org.

Both events will take place in Manhattan and are open to the public.  Reservations can be made on the Film Lab website:  www.asianamericanfilmlab.com.

About the Asian American Film Lab

The Asian American Film Lab (Film Lab) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the promotion and support of gender and ethnic diversity in film and television through free monthly educational and outreach programming, the acclaimed annual 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition, and the brand new production arm, AAFL TV, founded by Jennifer Betit Yen (Film Lab's new tv series, FILM LAB PRESENTS, airs Wednesday nights at 10pm EST on NYCLife).  The Film Lab’s membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting all filmmakers of color, with a focus on Asian Americans, and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.  The Film Lab is run under the direction of President Jennifer Betit Yen.  The Unfinished Works program is coordinated through Lorna Nowve.  Acting and Advisory Board members include Aaron Woolfolk and James Kyson.

The Asian American Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Directory membership and all contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

www.asianamericanfilmlab.org / www.film-lab.org

About "Unfinished Works"

The Film Lab's Unfinished Works program constitutes its longest running program, ongoing for 15 consecutive years.  Unfinished Works allows writers to workshop, in a structured and constructive environment, unfinished plays, screenplays and television scripts.  It also serves as a bridge between actors, writers and directors of color, particularly Asian Americans.  To submit your screenplay for a free reading and workshop, please email Lorna Nowve at UnfinishedWorks@film-lab.org with your name, email, telephone number, logline, synopsis, and a brief statement of why you feel Unfinished Works will be useful to developing and improving your screenplay.  Screenwriters are also encouraged to become a part of the AAFL TV production arm.  More information is online at www.film-lab.org.

About Padmini Devi Narumanchi

Padmini is a dreamer and adventurer.  She believes in the power of storytelling to transform our hearts and our world.  She has co-produced and assistant-directed 3 micro-budget feature films. “Hank and Asha” garnered several awards including: Audience Award (2013 Slamdance Film Festival), Best Feature (Napa Valley FF, Portland FF), Best Producers (Savannah FF, Brooklyn FF) and was in the running for the Gotham Independent Film Audience Award.  “Plato’s Reality Machine” world premiered at the 2013 Oaxaca Film Festival in Mexico.  "Dark Mountain" world premiered at the 2013 Austin Film Festival.  She is currently in development on her own feature-length project as well as Merva Faddoul’s “The Golden Cap Club” set in 199o Kuwait.    Padmini holds a BA in Film Studies from UC Berkeley, MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California and MSEd in Secondary Education from Long Island University.  In her free time, Padmini studies yoga & daydreams about becoming a surfer.  She lives and works in New York City.