Top Ten 72 Hour Shootout Films to Premiere at AAIFF!

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - June 30, 2016 - PRLog -- The top ten films of the Film Lab's 12^th annual 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition (the "Shootout") will premiere on July 23, 2016, at The Asian American International Film Festival.  The films showcase new and emerging writers, directors, producers, and actors of color, with a focus on Asian Americans.

Executive Director of Asian CineVision, John Woo, remarked, "It's great having the Shootout films for now over a decade as we celebrate the new and emerging voices of Asian American filmmakers."  Jennifer Betit Yen, actor and President of the Film Lab, said, "The Shootout films get better every year and this year they featured all kinds of surprises - from NFL players to past award recipients to historical pieces!"

The theme of this year's Shootout, "Lose the Labels," was first thought up by Film Lab staffer Cici Chu.  Chu wrote and directed the 2016 Shootout theme film, which is available on AAFL TV and youtube.com/asamfilmlab, and is also currently airing on CrossingsTV, Time Warner Cable and Xfinity.  "Lose the Labels" explores the labels society places on people and what they choose to do about them.

About the 72 Hour Shootout

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 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 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. The membership comprises 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), Cici Chu (2016 72 Hour Shootout staffer), and more, along with a dedicated Board and event volunteers. Board members include James Kyson and Aaron Woolfolk, among others.  For more: www.film-lab.org.

About Asian CineVision (ACV) and the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF)

Asian CineVision, Inc is a not-for-profit national media arts organization committed to the development, exhibition, promotion and preservation of film and video by artists of Asian descent.  Founded in 1975 ACV continues to serve the Asian American media arts community by promoting the works of Asian independent and Asian American filmmakers to the broadest possible audiences, providing a window to the diverse experiences of the Asian Diaspora.

Founded in 1978, AAIFF is the first and longest running festival in the U.S. to exhibit the film and video work by media artists of Asian descent and about the Asian American experience. AAIFF continues to be a leading showcase for Asian American and Asian independent film and video. For more information about ACV and AAIFF visit: www.asiancinevision.org.