• New Direction For Vancouver Asian Canadian Film Contest

    Jul 14, 12:00 AM by administrator


    MEDIA CONTACT:
    Grace Chin (MAMM Coordinator, Vancouver Asian Film Festival)
    E: grace.chin@vaff.org

    For Immediate Release
    MEDIA RELEASE

    VANCOUVER, BC (July 14, 2008) – The Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon (MAMM), the Lower Mainland’s only annual short film contest with a declared diversity angle, enters its fourth successful year with a new direction this August in association with the Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF), Shaw Multicultural Channel, and the Cineworks Independent Filmmakers’ Society.


    MAMM 2008 boldly goes into a more serious independent filmmaking direction by dropping random elements and compulsory themes, and by incorporating an adjudicated story concept pitch session; a shorter final film length; a longer contest duration that approximates the production timeline of a typical low-budget independent film shoot; and awards with a filmmaking community-building and educational focus.

    “We’ve seen the response from the community, and the quality of the filmmaking, grow from year to year, and now it’s time to take the contest to the next level by giving participants more creative freedom and a real experience of what independent filmmaking is all about,” says Don Montgomery, VAFF Executive Director.

    At least two of each team’s key creative members must be from a visible minority, and at least one of the key creative team members and lead actors must be of Asian heritage. Otherwise, the evocatively abbreviated MAMM is an exhilarating, challenging filmmaking event that fosters local entertainment industry talent and gives independent filmmakers a focused opportunity to produce a film festival-ready short film. Past entries have been accepted in film festivals, screenings and for airing on cable television throughout North America.

    From August 10 to August 26, filmmaking teams of 10 members or less will have almost a month to produce a short film with a maximum 9-minute length, of a specific genre. The films will be judged by a panel of experienced industry professionals, and scriptwriting mentorship will be made available to all teams. Cineworks is sponsoring the awards for the top three films, including society memberships, filmmaking and post-production workshops, and equipment support.

    Shaw Multicultural Channel will air films from MAMM 2007 to kick off this year’s contest. This year’s top three MAMM films will also be aired on Shaw Multicultural Channel with participants given an opportunity to appear on Shaw TV programs like The Express or Urban Rush™, as well as receive a spot in the lineup of this year’s upcoming 12th annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival running November 6–9. The MAMM concludes with a gala wrap party and screening of all qualifying final entries, at which the top placing films are announced.

    MAMM registration is open to BC residents, the entry fee is $50 per team. The registration deadline is 6 PM August 8. For more information, email grace.chin@vaff.org.


    The Vancouver Asian Film Festival Society (VAFF) is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for independent North American Asian filmmakers to showcase their work to both Asian and non-Asian audiences. The aim of VAFF is to foster an understanding and appreciation of these filmmakers and providing them a springboard to larger film festivals. And the Society endeavours to represent the often-ignored North American Asians caught between two cultures.


    MEDIA CONTACT:
    Grace Chin (MAMM Coordinator, Vancouver Asian Film Festival)
    E: grace.chin@vaff.org

    Related Links:

    Mighty Asian 2008 Rules + Regulations

    Mighty Asian Online Registration Form (deadline now past)


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