Awwww yeah, Bay Area. The day has come. The 27th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival kicks off tonight. This festival holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to it every year. You can always count on a solid program of films, events and community love from SFIAAFF, and this year looks to be no different.
The festivities kick off tonight with the Opening Night presentation of Lee Yoon-ki's My Dear Enemy at the Castro Theatre. Starring two of Korea's most talented actors, Ha Jung-woo and Jeon Do-yeon, winner of the 2007 Cannes Film Festival best actress award for Secret Sunshine, the film is described as a breezy, charming dusk-to-dawn odyssey through Seoul. I can't wait to see it.
After the screening, head on over to the Asian Art Museum for the Opening Night Gala to mix and mingle with friends and filmmakers. Drinks, desserts, movie talk. It's going to be a really fun evening, so make plans to be there. Tickets are no longer available, so you'll have to try your luck at the door. The Castro is huge, so I have feeling if you're patient, plan ahead, and get there early, you'll get a ticket..
I've always got love for you, SFIAAFF. Over the next few days, I'll try to highlight some of the films at the festival that might be worth checking out while you're there. The festival runs March 12-22 at venues in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. For more information, and the full schedule of films, visit the SFIAAFF website here.