Film Lab Announces the Theme of the 2016 72 Hour Shootout

NEW YORK - June 3, 2016 - PRLog -- The Film Lab announced the theme - LOSE THE LABELS - of its 12^th annual 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition (the "Shootout") at The Uptown yesterday at a sold-out launch party.  Jennifer Betit Yen, actor and President of the Film Lab, also took the stage and gave a no holds barred talk about whitewashing in Hollywood.  She applauded filmmakers for fighting mainstream Hollywood racism "through action."  Emcees J.D. Brookshire, Daryl King, and Show Lin kept the audience energized throughout.  The party featured the premiere of the film "Lose the Labels," available on AAFL TV and youtube.com/asamfilmlab, written and directed by Film Lab staffer Cici Chu.  "Lose the Labels" explores the labels society places on people and what they choose to do about them.  The film features actors Akil Grant, J.D. Brookshire, Jennifer Betit Yen, Miguel Cisneros, Pat Labez, Ray Lanuza, and acclaimed novelist Eric Gamalinda as himself.  Cinematography by Ashton Green, sound by Jianxi Zhang and editing by Jodi Lin.  More at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5717028.

The Shootout is a worldwide filmmaking competition celebrating gender and ethnic diversity in film in which filmmaking teams are given this common theme at the start and have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. The films celebrate diversity and the filmmaking teams compete for industry mentorships, cash, prizes, and exhibitions ranging from the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival, the only festival of its kind on the East Coast, to CrossingsTV, AAFL TV and other exhibition venues.  The top ten winning films of the Shootout will premiere on July 23^rd at the Asian American International Film Festival in New York.

The Shootout creates opportunities for filmmakers of color and women, with a focus on Asian Americans, to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry and create positive significant impact on the visibility of Asian and Asian American and other diverse stories and characters in film and television.  One of the Shootout requirements is that at least one key production member (e.g., director, producer or writer) and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent.

More information at www.film-lab.org (http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com/72-hour-shootout/) and https://www.facebook.com/72hrshootout.

About the Film Lab

   The Film Lab is a non-profit 501(c)(3) headquartered in New York City that provides free or low cost programming to promote and support ethnic and gender diversity in film and television.  Its programs and newest production arm, AAFL TV, have been featured most recently on CUNY TV (http://youtu.be/NwHXHD00YIM).  The membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting Asian American filmmakers and other filmmakers of color, and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.  Film Lab's programming includes the Industry Spotlight program, in which established industry professionals share their knowledge, expertise and advice via filmmaking workshops, screenings and more.  Other Film Lab programs include Unfinished Works, a program for aspiring writers in which selected writers have their pieces performed by Film Lab Actor Directory members in a public table read, followed by a workshop moderated by Film Lab Unfinished Works Coordinator Mahima Saigal.  The Film Lab also holds film competitions including the annual 72 Hour Shootout®, which has inspired hundreds of filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career.  The Film Lab management team consists of Jennifer Betit Yen (President and Board Member, founder of AAFL TV Production Arm), Chloe Jenkins (Treasurer and Board Member), Daryl King (Secretary and Board Member), Mahima Saigal (Unfinished Works), J.D. Brookshire and Cici Chu (2016 72 Hour Shootout interns), along with a dedicated Board and event volunteers. Board members include James Kyson and Aaron Woolfolk, among others.  For more: www.film-lab.org