What luck for Chapman University

So there is a private school called Chapman University in Orange County.

Since Friday, till tonight, Sunday night, the school has held a film festival by the name of

PUSAN WEST!

Basically bringing some of the best films from Pusan Int'l Film Fest held in October in Korea. It is one of the internationally renowned film festivals.

How crazy is that!!!

And I got to attend it tonight-

I watched one of older Korean films from the 1980s, titled "The Last Witness". A detective film, highly political, and slightly film-noir style of trench coat wearing, chain-smoking man on a mission to solve the murder mystery.

With director Lee Doo-Yong and professor Nam Lee with USC profession David James.

This is a rather impressive festival, with numerous filmmakers attending... including Ji-Woon Kim-- director of THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD!

There he is-- in the center. (On right is my friend, Jason, who's also a big fan of his film)

Pusan West panel.

This was Chapman University's first Korean film festival and they hope to continue this Pusan West by holding it annually. Very exciting to see many different venues celebrating and promoting diverse films! Looking forward to more in the future--

Kisses from director Paula, Hugs from actor Parry,

The long awaited SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL . The day hit yesterday, 15th of OCTOBER...!!!!

Director Paula- who's short films are in our Love Program, gave me kisses on both cheeks (Brazilian greeting) as soon as I approached her- so comfortably dressed in sweatshirt and jeans flies in from Sao Paolo, Brazil- Drove her home to our MISSION VALLEY THEATER in my Mini , while learning some Portuguese phrases from her...



Arrived at the theater to find that the press was already on our guests' butts- Toyota Matrix is interviewing filmmaker Ji-Hoon Kim and actor Kyung-duk Ra from Seoul Korea!

Then , it was my turn. Waiting patiently.

Reception in front of Ulan Medical Spa at Hazard Center- Packed with people, food, fun... all in preparation for our film CHILDREN OF INVENTION!! Director Tze Chun attended. Handsome young director he was :] (shoot! I forgot pictures!)

My camaraman and director, Darryl Kim from Projekt Newspeak. Thank you!!!!

Some of my friends came over to watch THIRST!!!!! At 9:40pm, it was a packed house!!!

Then, cherry on top to end the night-- bumped into Parry Shen in the theater! (I remember him from BETTER LUCK TMRW) He has a comedy short film , and also here to promote his new film TIVO!!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489256/ check it out!

Kisses and hugs from filmmakers actors and just film lovers all around...

SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL, what a great place to be-

wanna join us?

just come on by MISSION VALLEY ULTRASTAR CINEMAS. We're stayinig put for 2 whole weeks. Let's party ;)

- assistant programmer of SDAFF 2009,

Jini !

August in Seoul-- even more eventful!

Wow- it has already been over a month since I've been in my long-time-no-see hometown of Seoul... And I've been totally amazed at how much film related events there are in this little but definitely mighty and creative city of Korea. Definitely "Dynamic Korea", as they say.

August is the month for Seoul's CHOONG-MOO-RO Film Festival, where films old and new, significant to Seoul and its friends' , are featured.

But before that-- something a little more unknown, a little more independent (lack o' money), a little more free spirited and grass-roots is Seoul's... FRINGE FESTIVAL!!

Held from August 13 - 29, it will feature not only films but also street performances of plays, music, and exhibition of arts and video screenings.

The venues will be up and down the alleys of Seoul's "Hong-Dae" -- an area where art students roam around, and hence, creates an atmosphere of creativity, youthfulness, and limitless possibility.

I'm definitely hoping to get a little taste of this FRINGE FRENZY!!!

Reporting from SEOUL: YOUTH INT'L FILM FEST!

Jini is in SEOUL, Korea!

So while I'm here, I'll do my best to venture in all the film related events happenings here and there in this tiny but vibrant city (a little too rainy and hot though ;p )

Few days ago, I was able to visit SEOUL INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL. It is their 11th year, and they feature films for youth from all over the world--including 2008 Taipei Film festival's winning documentary: We Are Flying, a documentary showing youth boys in juvenile halls learning how to unicycle and through it learning about the importance of friendship and love.

It was a small, but brightly lit venue with exciting Korean-Pop music playing in the background. After one screening, out from the elevator came out a bunch of middle/highschool students in their uniforms. They seemed to be having a lot of fun, being outside of school with all their classmates.

Directors paid a visit and held a talk session with the students. 2 directors of popular Korean romantic comedies-- Hellcats and My Girlfriend is a Tutor-- which SDAFF screened in our previous years.

I didn't realize that there can be so many films just for youth! I got to talk to the programmers too, and they feel the priceless value of the film festival through seeing children enjoy the films and them getting a chance to talk to filmmakers. Totally agreed!