For the sixth year in a row, the Asian American Film Lab (AAFilmLab) will be hosting the 72 Hour Film Shootout! This year’s contest takes place from June 26-29, 2009. Filmmaking teams have 72 hours to complete short films up to five minutes long. Teams are given a common theme at the start of the competition to use creatively any way they want.

This year’s Shootout finalists will be selected by a panel of film industry professionals including cinematographer Ellen Kuras (Be Kind, Rewind, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), director Michael Kang (The Motel, West 32nd), Marci Phillips (Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment), producer Mynette Louie (Children of Invention), actor Justin Chon (Twilight), filmmaker Kazuhiro Soda (Mental), and director Tanuj Chopra (Punching at the Sun).

The Shootout is to create opportunities for Asian Americans to have an impact on the visibility of Asian Americans in film and television. One of the Shootout requirements is that at least one key production member (e.g., director, producer, or writer) and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent.

New for this year is a special judging category — the “Student Filmmaker Award”, sponsored by Asian/ Asian American Research Institute (AAARI-CUNY). To qualify as a student entry, the Director, Writer and Producer crew members must have all been enrolled students in of the Spring 2009 semester.

The 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout begins on Friday, June 26, 2009, at 8PM (EDT). The competition theme will be announced at the New York City launch party at 8PM at White Rabbit Lounge (145 East Houston Street) and simultaneously posted online at www.aafilmlab.org and 72hourfilmshootout.com. New York-based singer/songwriter Cynthia Lin will be performing live at the launch party.

Media Partner Ningin.com will once again provide high quality streaming of this year’s Shootout entries for online voting of the Audience Favorite Award at 72hourfilmshootout.com. The Top Ten Films will screen at the Asian American International Film Festival organized by Asian CineVision (July 23-26, 2009).

Registration has already begun! Early Bird registration is only $45 per team until June 8. Register before June 8th for the early registration fee of only $45.
Step 1. Pay your registration fee via Google Checkout
Step 2. Register your team online here
Or download the PDF registration packet to print out and mail in!