Race, Sex and Hold the Mayo – Sold Out Film Lab Screening of "Socially Conscious" Comedy

NEW YORK - Aug. 13, 2019 - PRLog -- On August 10, The Asian American Film Lab ("Film Lab") presented a micro-comedy series, "SOS," and a TV pilot "Mirror Mirror" in a sold out screening at the Queens Museum.  The entertainment, created by the Film Lab's production arm, AAFL TV, uses comedy to address hot button topics ranging from race to sex.  The Festival of Cinema sponsored the screening, which was followed by a panel discussing how entertainment media can be used as a means of addressing serious social issues ranging from gender bias in the workplace to xenophobia on the street.

The post-screening panel, moderated by CBS Executive Barbara Matos, included actors Jennifer Betit Yen and Joe Tex, along with the Assistant Commissioner for Community Relations at the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Franck D. Joseph II, and the Film Lab's 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition coordinator Kadaja Brown.  The panel discussed everything from how the shows were shot to the importance of diversity behind, as well as in front of, the camera.  After the panel, guests enjoyed a reception with "SOS" and "Mirror Mirror" themed cupcakes by Yeh Cakes.

Actor Jennifer Betit Yen, who also created the concepts behind the series, explained, "Our goal is to make fun and easily accessible comedy for everyone that is socially conscious and helps to demystify and depoliticize important issues pertaining to race and gender."

Festival of Cinema producer, Jayson Simba, expressed enthusiasm over the event's success, saying, "Many thanks to Jennifer Betit Yen (https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbetityen/?__tn__=K-R&...) and the Asian American Film Lab (https://www.facebook.com/AsAmFilmLab/?__tn__=K-R&eid=...) for helping put this presentation together for [the] Festival of Cinema [NYC] at the Queens Museum (https://www.facebook.com/QueensMuseum/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARBWRGhPFaalUp1blpAMiwlct6IzyjIA-EQ0pDsqmNKy9laBTJAnVaNKEvPYHH4ORjxX39U7nQO8WxVq&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDUGKgagqWgjx99JL88JM57-2Pjp73wquYkiXV68pxhpR4Kq9BLZM95YnQv4McWZCBH83cl5wzYaAPEBl3nj-yWjfMMm1xcl56B3TYxyfQJKk9HMMz-UMR8lwBL8Gbx59NfquAslb2kQRVa71BsWKj-buKkA_itPn6X__z2aydaMuoEGyoIujO7Vglj7lzU5A1dVGHZzF9ozcrw1F2ydgRHPNDYMhyDOOjBhRb5Sm1zGWnOl5cOfDiAp2DxYshkh7v7Yn3HakF8u3kURbqshnK0TqFtUxIsHUZINXY-ZPbWFxVWTQIy38cKFvK939fxydY5s5LGffN-d-i-NYB_h0Npm). Great turn out and wonderful discussion on race and gender issues in the entertainment industry!"  More AAFL TV content can be found online at www.YouTube.com/AsAmFilmLab and airing on CrossingsTV, Xfinity and Time Warner Cable.

About the Asian American Film Lab

The Film Lab is a non-profit 501(c)(3) headquartered in New York City that has been dedicated to the promotion and support of gender and ethnic diversity in media since 1998.  The Film Lab accomplishes that goal in three ways:  (1) education; (2) outreach and support; and (3) film, television and online entertainment production.  The Film Lab produces media with positive and prolific perceptions of women and people of color.  For more information, please visit the Film Lab's website at film-lab.org.