Asian Cinevision Announces 46th Asian American International Film Festival and “THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS” as Winner of the 24th Asian American International Screenplay Competition
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2023
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press@asiancinevision.org
Asian Cinevision Announces 46th Asian American International Film Festival and “THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS” as Winner of the 24th Asian American International Screenplay Competition
May 30, 2023, NEW YORK – Asian CineVision is excited to announce the 46th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) will take place from July 26 – August 6 this year. The first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience is a hybrid festival based in New York City. This year’s festival is focused on freedom of expression, encouraging artistic possibilities without boundaries and serves as a reminder to aim for progress instead of perfection.
This year, AAIFF46 is preceded by an exclusive reading on Thursday, June 1 from 6-9 PM to showcase the winning screenplay from the 24th Asian American International Screenplay Competition (AAISC): THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS. Written by multi-hyphenates Ashley Argota and Mick Torres, the reading is accompanied by a Q&A moderated by award-winning director Nelson Kim at The Calandra Institute.
Based on a true story, THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS follows 22-year-old rising sitcom actress Andi Adams in the middle of carving out her own place in the industry. Against her mother’s wishes, she turns down a cushy rom-com to co-star in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Little does she know, this one rare act for herself sends her mother down a toxic spiral that derails the entire family and forces her to choose who her true family is. Content warnings for the film include: descriptions of mental, emotional, and physical abuse.
The 24th annual Asian American International Screenplay Competition was first established in 2000 and past winners include Michael Kang’s THE MOTEL, Mora Stephens’ GEORGIA HEAT, and Isaac Ho’s THE CHINESE DELIVERYMAN. The event is pay-what-you-can; the suggested donation amount is $15. Light refreshments will be served and is followed by a social hour. RSVP for the event here: bit.ly/AAISC2023.
About the Writers
Ashley Argota Torres is best known for her work on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel on shows such as True Jackson, VP; How To Build A Better Boy; Lab Rats; and Freeform’s The Fosters. She has also spent time on the other side of the camera for her very own Mismo Productions. She can currently be seen as Gia on CW’s All American and as Davina in Netflix’s Freeridge.
Mick Torres’s breakout performance as RP McMurphy in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest garnered a BroadwayWorld nomination for Best Actor. Mick has been writing for years and pitched his pilot, “Best Of The Best,” to Fox. He also writes and produces for his own Mismo Productions.
About the Cast
The cast includes an exciting ensemble of new and experienced actors. Jenna Agbayani will be debuting in the role as Andi Adams. Full list of the cast below.
The 46th Asian American International Film Festival is made possible with support from the Mary Li Hsu Estate, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, NYU Special Collections, SAG-AFTRA, CUNY AARI, CUNY Graduate Center, and the Friends of ACV.
About the Asian American International Film Festival
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is proudly known as “The First Home to Asian American Cinema.” Organized by Asian CineVision, it’s the first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience. The Festival takes place in New York City, the second-largest Asian-American market in the U.S. Every year, AAIFF attracts audiences from all five boroughs of New York City, the tri-state region, and around the world.
About Asian CineVision
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a media arts nonprofit devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American experiences through storytelling. Our mission is to nurture and grow the community of makers and lovers of Asian and Asian American independent film, television, and digital.
Films submitted and screened at the festival are eligible to participate in our National Tour program, bringing Asian diaspora stories to broader audiences across North America through a rental service for cultural and educational institutions.
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