Asian American film fest returns to San Jose, California

SAN FRANCISCO, California – Four days of film premieres, conversations with celebrated filmmakers and lively parties will return to San Jose, hosted by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) on September 4 to 7.

Celebrating its 12th year, CAAMFest San Jose presents films and events reflecting the impact and influence of Asian Americans in Silicon Valley and their “continuous innovation in technology, arts and culture, media and community.”

“Our San Jose festival is a convergence of Asian-American artists, innovators and community and celebrates their dynamic contributions to the region’s cultural and civic landscapes,” explained Masashi Niwano, CAAM’s festival and exhibitions director,

“We are excited to present a diverse and inspired program of local and international films that reflect the vibrancy of the nation’s third largest Asian population,” Niwano added.

Program highlights 

Opening Night: “Meet the Patels” 

Geeta and Ravi Patel’s “Meet the Patels” opens the festival on Friday, September 5, at 7 p.m., at Camera 3 Cinema in downtown San Jose, followed by the Opening Night Party at 9 p.m. at the beautiful San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA). The film follows comedian Ravi Patel, on the verge of turning 30 and feeling pressure to get married, as he ventures off to explore the various traditional Indian methods of arranged marriages. Along the way, he learns what it means to be in love, and how marriage is more than a commitment between two people. Director Geeta Patel will be in attendance.

Centerpiece: “American Dreams in China” 

Highly praised as the “Chinese Social Network,” three college slackers turned successful businessmen face copyright infringement lawsuits in one of China’s most successful box office hits of 2013. A modern telling of David versus Goliath, “American Dreams In China,” directed by Peter Chan (“The Warlords,” “Dragon”), is an aspirational and riveting story of the underdog’s rise to the top. Saturday, September 6 at 6 p.m. at Camera 3 Cinema.

Closing Night: “27°C Loaf Rocks” 

Veteran director Lin Cheng-sheng once again finds cinematic success with “27°C Loaf Rocks,” a mouth-watering foodie flick based on the life of Wu Pao-Chun, Taiwan’s master baker. Along with the ensemble cast, Director Lin does a remarkable job bringing to life Wu’s extraordinary journey of passion and perserverance, from his apprenticeship in a Taipei bakery to his win at the 2010 Bakery World Cup. With the best in foodie films such as “Eat Drink Man Woman” and “Zone Pro Site: The Moveable Feast,” Taiwan’s cinematic legacy continues to grow with this glossy, family friendly feature. Sunday, September 7 at 7 p.m. at Camera 3 Cinema.

In Memoriam: Yuri Kochiyama 

CAAMFest San Jose will host a special screening of “Yuri Kochiyama: Passion For Justice” by Rea Tajiri, commemorating the life and legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, a Japanese American icon and civil rights activist who continues to inspire new generations of Asian Americans (and beyond).  Yuri Kochiyama passed away at the age of 93 this past June. Director Rea Tajiri will be in attendance. Thursday, September 4 at 7 p.m. at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. RSVP required. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Special Presentation: “Awesome Asian Bad Guys” 

In March 2014, CAAMFest proudly world premiered “Awesome Asian Bad Guys,” a hilarious web series created by the National Film Society (Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco). Reuniting “bad guys” from classic films such as “Lethal Weapon,” “Die Hard” and “The Karate Kid” for one last battle, this digital media project pushes new, innovative ways for filmmakers to tell their stories. Saturday, September 6 at 8:30 p.m. at Camera 3 Cinema.

Expected Guests In Attendance (as of August 6, 2014) 

Eli Olson, Co-Director, STORIES FROM TOHOKU

Dianne Fukami, Co-Director, STORIES FROM TOHOKU

Geeta Patel, Director, MEET THE PATELS

Mahesh Pailoor, Director, BRAHMIN BULLS

Patrick Epino, Co-Director, AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS

Rea Tajiri, Director, Yuri Kochiyama: PASSION FOR JUSTICE

Stephen Dypiangco, Co-Director, AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS

Thien Do, Director, FUNNY MONEY

CAAMFEST 2014 SCHEDULE 

Thursday Line Up | Sept. 4, 2014 

7:00PM            JAMSJ                    YURI KOCHIYAMA: PASSION FOR JUSTICE

9:00PM            NOMIKAI               LAUNCH PARTY

Opening Night Presentation | Sept. 5, 2014 

7:00PM            CAMERA 3            MEET THE PATELS

9:00PM            SJMA                     OPENING NIGHT PARTY

Saturday Line Up | Sept. 6, 2014 

12:30PM          CAMERA 3            STORIES FROM TOHOKU

2:30PM            CAMERA 3            FUNNY MONEY

6:00 PM           CAMERA 3            CENTERPIECE: AMERICAN DREAMS IN CHINA

8:30PM            CAMERA 3            AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS

10:00PM          TBA                       CENTERPIECE PARTY

Sunday Line Up | Sept. 7, 2014 

2:30PM            CAMERA 3            BRAHMIN BULLS

4:45PM            CAMERA 3            CAMBODIAN SON

7:00PM            CAMERA 3            CLOSING NIGHT: 27°C LOAF ROCKS

Ticket And Venue Information 

General Admission: $12

Students/Seniors 65+/Disabled $11

CAAM/SJMA Member: $10

Opening Night

Screening + Party: $35

CAAM/SJMA Member: $30

Screening or Party Only $20

All Access Pass

General Admission: $100

CAAM Member: $80

Passes and tickets are available for purchase online at www.caamedia.org beginning August 7, 2014. There is a $1.50 service fee for all tickets purchased online. You may also purchase tickets in person at the CAAMFest San Jose Box Office located in the Camera 3 Cinema lobby September 5-7, 2014.

CAAMFest San Jose Sponsors 

Corporate: San Jose Museum of Art, Buick, Southwest Airlines, IW Group

Media: ABC 7 News, KTSF26, NBC Bay Area, Angry Asian Man, Hyphen Magazine, Asian Week