40th VC Film Fest Announces Award Winners

May 16, 2024

VC FILM FEST 2024 ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS
Visual Communications Announces Award Winners For 40th Edition of Festival

Uyghur Film NIKAH, Directed By Bastien Ehouzan and Mukaddas Mijit,
Wins Jury Prize For Best Narrative Feature

ASHIMA, Directed By Kenji Tsukamoto, Wins Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature

ALL THIS WASTED SPACE, Directed By Cris Bringas, Wins Golden Reel Award
For Best Narrative Short

I WOULD’VE BEEN HAPPY, Directed by Jordan Wong, Wins Golden Reel Award
For Best Documentary Short

Director Asuka Lin Wins Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award 

(May 18, 2024) Los Angeles, CA – Visual Communications (VC),  the first non-profit organization in the US dedicated to the honest and accurate portrayals of Asian, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander communities through media arts announced the award winners for  VC FILM FEST – the 40th edition of their film festival, formerly known as the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF).  The largest Festival of its kind in Southern California, VC FILM FEST celebrated 10 days of film presentations and panel discussions; centering the storytelling power from Asian, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander communities, and encouraged audiences to activate that power into action at home to build solidarity with organizations that people of the global majority.

Jurors from different regions around the world were able to participate in this year’s Festival.

“Our Festival Awards Jury reflects the VC film festival community, comprising both future leaders and veterans contributing to the festival’s growth over its 40 year journey. With care and diligence, they curate a spotlight on remarkable films transcending geographical boundaries, yet unified in their exploration of themes related to the Asian + Pacific collective.” said VC Film Fest Senior Programmer, Kirby Peñafiel.

In the Narrative Features section, jurors Masami Kawai, Yuliya Kim, Kristen Lee Balagtas and Rahat Mahajan bestowed the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature to NIKAH directed by Bastien Ehouzan and Mukaddas Mijit.

The jury shared their thoughts on the film: “We were moved by this quiet portrayal of a young Uyghur woman and her family navigating life in the late 2010s within a Uyghur community. Directors Bastien Ehouzan and Mukaddas Mijit skillfully invite the viewer into the texture of everyday life for Uyghyr families, including: the unfolding tragedy of political unrest and genocide, the nuance of gendered roles and expectations, and also the essence of mutual support in the Uyghur community. From the film’s beginning to its closing scene, NIKAH’s deft storytelling kept us rooted in a world that many of us have not yet encountered.”

The jury also gave a Special Recognition award to MADINA, directed by Aizhan Kassymbek and starring Madina Akylbekova

The jury shared: “We give a Special Recognition to MADINA, for its brave storytelling that we hope can be the catalyst for narrative change. We were moved by the way this film, led by an all-woman crew, centered the oppressed lived experiences of the lead actress and other resilient Kazakh women as a way to bring visibility and impart change in the Kazakh community. The film is equally tender as it is powerful, and we look forward to more from this team.”

The team also gave a Special Recognition for Performance to Madina Akylbekova, sharing: “This actress gave a tremendous performance, bringing to the big screen glimpses of her own lived experience as a single mother who struggles to balance her career as a dancer with taking care of her old grandmother and her two-year-old daughter. Madina Akylbek’s performance, even alongside her own child, illuminates her resilience and courage to tell the truth.”

MADINA team (L-R): Madina Akylbekova (Lead Actress) and Aizhan Kassymbek (Director). Photo courtesy of VC FILM FEST/Visual Communications

In the Documentary Feature section, jurors Udval Altangerel, Patrick Dolemite Green, Evelyn Hang Yin, Pulkit Datta and Erin Li awarded ASHIMA, directed by Kenji Tsukamoto with the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature. 

The jury shared their thoughts on the film: “From the beginning, we were emotionally invested in this beautiful father & daughter narrative. Skillfully weaving personal cinematography with the gorgeous views from the rock climbing world, Director Kenji Tsukamoto dropped us into Ashima’s world of self-discipline and resilience as a world class athlete, and deftly anchors us with a tender and intimate look of her experiences of growing up.”

ASHIMA team (l-r): Minji Chang (Producer),
Ashima Shiraishi (Film Participant) and Kenji Tsukamoto (Director). Photo courtesy of VC FILM FEST/Visual Communications

The jury also gave a special recognition to HEAVEN RAINS FLOWS SWEETLY, directed by Shasha Li. They shared: “We give a special recognition to HEAVEN RAIN FLOWS SWEETLY. Director Shasha Li’s excellent use of cinematography and sound elegantly connected us to her personal connection to nature and her rediscovery of her heritage. Through sight and sound, Director Li offered us a mediation on ancestry and our individual practice of environmental stewardship. The film serves as a poignant reflection on the significance of natural surroundings and amplifies the urgency to protect such gifts.”

The same jury also viewed documentary shorts, and named I WOULD’VE BEEN HAPPY, directed by Jordan Wong as the Golden Reel Award Winner for Best Documentary Short.

The jury shared their thoughts on Jordan’s work: “With careful animation of crafted glazed tile and quilted cyanotype fabric, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY beautifully captures the complexities of a broken family. Director Jordan Wong’s use of mixed media in the animation skillfully portrays the sorrow and strength that surfaces in these wounded relationships. It’s a heartbreaking reminder to cherish those who we hold dear, and a gentle embrace to hold together what remains after one moves on.”

Filmmaker Jordan Wong (Director, I WOULD’VE BEEN HAPPY). Photo courtesy of VC FILM FEST/Visual Communications

The jury gave a Special Recognition to ASIAN BITCHES SPEAK!, directed by Janet Chen, sharing: “We were moved to have such intimate access to Director Janet Chen and her mother. From a bold car ride with mother and daughter, to reflections on generational trauma,  the film walks us on a fine line of humor and the sometimes painful efforts to thrive in this contemporary world.”

The documentary jury also gave a Special Recognition to RECLAIM, directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Justyn Ah Chong, sharing: Through the storytelling partnership of directors  Geeta Gandbhir and Justyn Ah Chong, we fell in love with the story of young Honor as he embraces the Hawaiian tradition of hula, inspired by his older brother Hanalei. Through the gorgeous work of Director of Photography Abraham Williams, we watch these two siblings on their journey to Merrie Monarch, witnessing their pride in reviving and preserving their Hawaiian heritage.

The documentary jury also gave a Special Recognition to  THỜI THƠ ẤU (CHILDHOOD), directed by Vi Tuong Bui, sharing: “This film gently explores Director’s Vi Tuong Bui’s parents’ identities beyond their roles as caretakers. The storytelling power draws from Bui’s vulnerable and resilient compassion by leaning into the parents’ aspirations for their own late parents, their motherland, and  their experiences as refugees of the American War in Vietnam / Vietnam War.”

VC FILM FEST (formerly known as LAAPFF) is proud to be an Academy Award® qualifying Festival for the Short Film Awards. Recipient(s) of the Film Festival’s Golden Reel Award for Narrative Short Film will be eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film/Live-Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards®. In the Narrative Shorts section, jurors Miida Chu. Olivia Stark and Lauren To’omalatai gave the Golden Reel Award for Best Narrative Short to ALL THIS WASTED SPACE, directed by Cris Bringas.

The jury shared: “This film shot straight to our hearts and took us to the Philippines, where it is customary to bury the deceased with their cherished belongings, as it is believed they will need these items in the afterlife. ALL THIS WASTED SPACE takes this tradition to the big screen, and gave us an unexpected invitation to explore a lesbian woman’s lived experience with her family and a provoking contemplation of the meaning of home. The film is emotionally stirring, and is both quiet and bold it its execution. Director Cris Bringas’ approach with sight and sound yields a powerfully unique cinematic experience.” 

Cris Bringas (Director, ALL THIS WASTED SPACE). Photo courtesy of
VC FILM FEST/Visual Communications

The same jury also gave a Special Recognition to THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS, directed by Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy, sharing: “Anchored by a history that is so full of pain, we celebrate this animated film that brought us so much joy. With THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS, Director Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy gives a magical fairytale, rooted in history, that preserves pain and hope.  Targeted to audiences of all ages, this film gave us a gift to reflect on these complex histories with the next generation and hopefully build a better intergenerational solidarity towards the world that we all deserve. We can’t wait to see this film touch more and more audiences.”

The jury also gave a Special Recognition to KŪKINI, directed by Mitchel Merrick. They shared: “This has all the makings of a blockbuster action thriller. Writers Mitchel Merrickand Paula Fuga created a world that we have not yet seen before. Rooted in history, this period piece dropped us right into 1790 Hawaiʻi, where we got to know the kūkini – those employed by aliʻi to work as messengers/runners  to rally warriors for battle, to gather intelligence, and to carry out their chief’s commands. From the lush scenery, to their respectful attention to detail and cultural tradition, to the film’s script written all in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Native Hawaiian language); we were dazzled by this action thriller, and our curiosities were heightened to learn more about Hawaiian history.  We are excited for what’s next to come for this dynamic production team.”

A Special Recognition for Performance And Writing was given to Luciane Buchanan of LEA TUPU’ANGA | MOTHER TONGUE (Directed by Vea Mafile’o). The jury shared: “This film’s tremendously resonated with us. Packed with a lot of tenderness, we identified with a familiar feeling of being disconnected from culture, combined with a compassionate desire to connect with our elders. It showcased the  experience of not knowing your family’s language, and showcased a level of imposter syndrome that comes with that experience. Writer/Actress  Luciane Buchanan gave us a tender tale that is heartfelt and with a pang of heartache; and her performance brought that emotion off the page to the screen. Her talent is without limit, and we can’t wait to see more of her work. “

The jury gave a final Special Recognition to DAISY IS GONE 选择你的完美宠物, directed by Ziyao Liu. They shared: “We were so charmed by this one. Director Ziyao Liu presented us with a hopeful and funny tale about heartache. Her intentional style and unique tone is felt throughout the film -from beginning to end.  We applaud her clear vision, and look forward to more of her work. Special shoutout to Stanley Wong providing such a great performance in a neurotic, but loveable lead lamenting his departed goldfish.”

VC FILM FEST also announced 3 more award winners, that celebrate the passion and of the next generation of storytellers.

First time programmer Emily Hoang shared “The legacy of Visual Communications lives on through the next generation. VC Veterans and Elders laid the foundation for cultural narratives and community storytelling. We are eternally grateful for the opportunities they created for “young bloods” like me to share their stories with the world.”

Former Visual Communications Executive Director Linda Mabalot is lovingly remembered for her passion and commitment to nurturing and developing emerging Asian Pacific filmmakers. In that spirit, the Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award is presented to a short film that demonstrates an innovative and creative use of cinematic language. Previous recipients include TAMA TU (dir. Taika Waititi), PILGRIMAGE (dir. Tadashi Nakamura), PAULINA (dir. Caylee So), MISS WORLD (dir. Georgia Fu), DRIFTING (dir. Hanxiong Bo) and F1-100 (dir. Emory Chao Johnson). This year’s Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award is given to INTO THE EMERALD SEA (エメラルドの海へ), directed by Asuka Lin

The Emerging Filmmaker Award is given Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature filmmakers who have shown amazing promise as our future filmmakers and storytellers. Filmmakers with their first or second feature film are eligible for the award. This year’s recipients are:

• So Young Shelly Yo for SMOKING TIGERS

• Shasha Li for HEAVEN RAINS FLOW SWEETLY

• Quyên Nguyen-Le for NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT

As the year closes, Visual Communications continues its legacy as the first non-profit organization in the US dedicated to the honest and accurate portrayals of the Asian Pacific American peoples, communities, and heritage through the media arts. Audiences are encouraged to check out more films online in the VC Archives, one of the largest photographic and moving image archives on Asian Pacific experiences in America https://archives.vcmedia.org/