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The following is a list of
San Diego Asian Film Festival winners by year.
[1]
[2]
2023 - 24th Annual
November 2-11, 2023
[3]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award - When You Left Me On That Boulevard (dir. Kayla Abuda Galang)
Best Narrative Feature -
Egghead & Twinkie (dir.
Sarah Kambe Holland )
Best Documentary Feature - Rally (dir. Rooth Tang)
Best Narrative Short - Invasive Species (dir. Annie Ning)
Best Documentary Short - Tracing History (dir. Jalena Keane-Lee)
Best Experimental Short - Teetering Graphite (dir. Cherlyn Hsing-Hsin Liu)
International Short - Primetime Mother (dir. Sonny Calvento)
Special Jury Mention Through Sunless Ways (dir. Kira Dane, Katelyn Rebelo)
Emerging Filmmaker Award - Divine Factory (dir. Joseph Mangat)
Audience Award Winner -
Wonderland (dir.
Chai Yee Wei )
Notable Events and Appearances
2022 - 23rd Annual
November 3-12, 2022
[4]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award - Wisdom Gone Wild (dir.
Rea Tajiri )
Best Narrative Feature -
Riceboy Sleeps (dir.
Anthony Shim )
Best Documentary Feature -
Bad Axe (dir. David Siev)
Best Narrative Short - Last Hawaiian Sugar (dir. Déjà Cresencia Bernhardt)
Best Documentary Short - In Loving Memory (of Who We Used to Be) (dir. Vicky Lee)
Best Experimental Short - Declarations of Love (dir. Tiff Rekem)
International Short - Will You Look at Me (dir. Shuli Huang)
Special Jury Mention - Lucky Fish (dir. Emily May Jampel)
Emerging Filmmaker Award - Liquor Store Dreams (dir. So Yum Um)
Audience Award Winner - Riceboy Sleeps (dir. Anthony Shim)
Notable Events and Appearances
2021 - 22nd Annual
October 28 to November 6, 2021
[5]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award -
I Was A Simple Man (dir. Christopher Makoto Yogi)
Best Narrative Feature -
7 Days (dir.
Roshan Sethi )
Best Documentary Feature - Manzanar Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust (dir. Ann Kaneko)
Best Narrative Short - Americanized (dir. Erica Eng)
Best Documentary Short - An Uninterrupted View of the Sea (dir. Mika Yatsuhashi)
Best Experimental Short - Rumi and his Roses (dir. Navid Sinaki)
International Short - Lemongrass Girl (dir. Pom Bunsermvicha)
Special Jury Mention - To Live Here (dir. Melanie Dang Ho)
Emerging Filmmaker Award - Never Rest/Unrest (dir. Tiffany Sia)
Audience Award Winner - Like a Rolling Stone: The Life and Times of
Ben Fong-Torres (dir. Suzanne Joe Kai)
Notable Events and Appearances
Notable Films:
Catch the Fair One ,
Drive My Car
Special Sections: Asian-American Panorama, Asia Pop!, Masters, Classics Restored, Taiwan Film Showcase
2020 - 21st Annual
October 23–31, 2020
[6]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award - Mizuko (Water Child) (dir. Katelyn Rebelo, Kira Dane)
Best Narrative Feature -
Mogul Mowgli (
Bassam Tariq )
Best Documentary Feature -
The Donut King (Alice Gu)
Best Narrative Short - Thank You, Come Again (Nirav Bhakta)
Best Documentary Short - I Bought a Time Machine (Yeon Park)
Best Animated Short - Felt Love (Angeline Vu and Arlene Bongco)
International Short - Red Aninsri; or, Tiptoeing on the Still Trembling Berlin Wall (Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke)
Special Jury Mention -
Finding Yingying (Jiayan “Jenny” Shi)
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award - Stray (Elizabeth Lo)
Audience Award Winner -
Down a Dark Stairwell (Ursula Lang)
Notable Events and Appearances
2019 - 20th Annual
November 7–16, 2019
[8]
[9]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award - Straight Up (James Sweeney)
Best Narrative Feature -
Driveways (
Andrew Ahn )
Best Documentary Feature - The Cancer Journals, Revisited (
Lana Lin )
Best Narrative Short - First (Micaela Durand & Daniel Chew)
Best Documentary Short - My American Surrogate (Leslie Tai)
Best Animated Short - Umbilical (Danski Tang)
International Short - Grand Bouquet (Nao Yoshigai)
Special Jury Mention - Jaddoland (Nadia Shihab)
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award - No Data Plan (
Miko Revereza )
Audience Award Winner -
Yellow Rose (
Diane Paragas )
Notable Events and Appearances
Opening Night Film: The Paradise We Are Looking For
Centerpiece: Straight Up
Closing Night:
To Live to Sing
Special Events: Taiwan Film Showcase, Spotlight on Tibet
9th Spring Showcase
April 11–18, 2019
[10]
Opening Night Film: First Night Nerves
Closing Night Film: Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
Notable Films: Memories of My Body ,
Swing Kids ,
Song Lang , The Crossing
Special Events: From the Claws of Darkness: Restoring Philippine Cinema , Mystery Kung Fu Theater
2018 - 19th Annual
November 8–17, 2018
[11]
[12]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: June
Best Narrative Feature:
Bitter Melon
Best Documentary Feature: Blowin' Up
Best Narrative Short: First Generation
Best Documentary Short: Nai Nai
Best International Short: Babylon
Best Animated Short: Yoko
Special Jury Mention:
Origin Story
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award: August at Akiko's (dir. Christopher Makoto Yogi)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Marcus Hu
Audience Award:
One Cut of the Dead
Notable Events and Appearances
8th Spring Showcase
April 19–26, 2018
[14]
[15]
2017 - 18th Annual
November 9–18, 2017
[17]
[18]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award:
My Enemy My Brother , directed by
Ann Shin
Narrative Feature:
Wexford Plaza , directed by Joyce Wong
Documentary Feature: Out of State , directed by Ciara Lacy
Narrative Short: Float , directed by Tristan Seniuk & Voleak Sip
Documentary Short: Mother’s Day , directed by Elizabeth Lo & R.J. Lozada
Animated Short: Crushed in Spaces, directed by Janice Chun
International Short: Afternoon Clouds, directed by
Payal Kapadia
Special Jury Mention: Santa Claus , directed by Jeff Man
Digital Pioneer Award: Angry Asian Man , directed by
Phil Yu
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award: Anahita Ghazvinizadeh, director of They
Audience Award:
Island Soldier , directed by Nathan Fitch
Notable Events and Appearances
7th Spring Showcase
April 20–27, 2017
[20]
[21]
2016 - 17th Annual
November 3–12, 2016
[23]
[24]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: The Lockpicker , directed by
Randall Okita
Narrative Feature: Chee and T , directed by
Tanuj Chopra
Documentary Feature: Bad Rap , directed by Salima Koroma
Narrative Short: Death in a Day , directed by Lin Wang
Documentary Short: Bruce Takes Dragon Town , directed by Emily Chao
Animated Short: Hold Me (Ca Caw Ca Caw) , directed by Renee Zhan
Special Jury Mention: Random Acts of Legacy , directed by Ali Kazimi
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award:
Andrew Ahn , director of
Spa Night
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Wayne Wang
Audience Award: Daze of Justice , directed by Michael Siv
Notable Events and Appearances
6th Spring Showcase
April 28th - May 5th, 2016
[25]
[26]
2015 - 16th Annual
November 5–14, 2015
[28]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Distance Between , directed by R.J. Lozada
Narrative Feature: Crush the Skull , directed by Viet Nguyen
Documentary Feature: Operation Popcorn , directed by David Grabias
Narrative Short: Drama , directed by Tian Guan
Documentary Short: From Tonga , directed by Huay-Bing Law
Animated Short: Cuz He’s Black , directed by Ji Sub Jeong
Special Jury Mention: Reunification , directed by Alvin Tsang
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award:
Takeshi Fukunaga , director of
Out of My Hand
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Tyrus Wong
Audience Award:
Tyrus , directed by Pamela Tom
Digital Pioneer Award: BuzzFeed Motion Pictures
Notable Events and Appearances
5th Spring Showcase
April 16th-25th, 2015
[29]
[30]
2014 - 15th Anniversary
Nov 6-14, 2014
[32]
[33]
[34]
[35]
[36]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award:
Appropriate Behavior , directed by
Desiree Akhavan
Narrative Feature:
Man from Reno , directed by
Dave Boyle
Documentary Feature: My Life in China , directed by
Kenneth Eng
Narrative Short: Hypebeasts , directed by Jessica dela Merced
Documentary Short: Transformers: the Premake , directed by Kevin B. Lee
Animated Short: Behind My Behind , directed by David Chai
Special Jury Mention:
Kumu Hina , directed by
Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award: Vera Brunner-Sung, director of
Bella Vista
Audience Award: Limited Partnership , directed by Thomas Miller
Digital Pioneer Award:
Anna Akana
Notable Events and Appearances
4th Spring Showcase
April 17–24, 2014
[37]
[38]
2013 - 14th Annual
November 7–16, 2013
[39]
[40]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Karaoke Girl , directed by Visra Vichit-Vadakan
Narrative Feature:
Sake-Bomb , directed by Junya Sakino
Documentary Feature: Your Day is My Night , directed by
Lynne Sachs
Narrative Short: The Perils of Growing Up Flat-Chested , directed by Yulin Kuang
Documentary Short: Draft Day , directed by Josh Kim
Animated Short: The Present , directed by Joe Hsieh
Special Jury Mention: Documented , directed by
Jose Antonio Vargas and Ann Lupo
Social Justice Award:
When I Walk , directed by
Jason DaSilva
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award: Leslie Tai
Audience Award:
American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs , directed by
Grace Lee
Notable Events and Appearances
3rd Spring Showcase
April 18–25, 2013
[41]
2012 - 13th Annual
November 1–9, 2012
[42]
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Johnny Loves Dolores , directed by Clarissa de los Reyes
Narrative Feature: Graceland , directed by Ron Morales
Documentary Feature: Seeking Asian Female , directed by
Debbie Lum
Narrative Short: Monday Monday , directed by Eric K. Yue
Animated Short: 38-39°C , directed by Kangmin Kim
Special Jury Mention:
The World Before Her , directed by
Nisha Pahuja
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award: Ernie Park, director of Late Summer
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Chung Chang-wha
Notable Events and Appearances
2nd Spring Showcase
April 19–26, 2012
[43]
2011 - 12th Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award:
Surrogate Valentine , directed by
Dave Boyle
Narrative Feature:
In the Family , directed by
Patrick Wang
Documentary Feature: Tales of the Waria , directed by Kathy Huang
Narrative Short: Andy , directed by
Andrew Ahn
Documentary Short: Making Noise in Silence , directed by Mina T. Son
Animated Short: Enrique Wrecks the World , directed by David Chai
Special Jury Mention:
The LuLu Session , directed by S. Casper Wong
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award:
Patrick Wang , director of In the Family
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Nancy Kwan
Audience Award: The Power of Two , directed by Marc Smolowitz
Notable Events and Appearances
1st Spring Showcase
April 15–22, 2011
2010 - 11th Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: The House of Suh , directed by Iris Shim
Narrative Feature:
Littlerock , directed by Mike Ott
Documentary Feature: Finding Face , directed by Skye Fitzgerald and Patti Duncan
Narrative Short: Works of Art , directed by Andrew Pang
Documentary Short:
Top Spin , directed by Sara Newens and Mina T. Son
Animated Short: The Wonder Hospital , directed by Beomsik Shimbe Shim
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award:
Nadine Truong
Influential Asian American Artist Award:
Daniel Dae Kim
Audience Award:
One Voice , directed by Lisette Flannery
Notable Events and Appearances
2009 - 10th Anniversary
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award:
Children of Invention , directed by
Tze Chun
Narrative Feature: Children of Invention , directed by Tze Chun
Documentary Feature: Whatever It Takes , directed by
Christopher Wong
Narrative Short: A Green Mountain In a Drawer , directed by Hwa-Jun Lee
Documentary Short: Rough Cut , directed by Firouzeh Khosrovani
Animated Short: Kudan , directed by Taku Kimura
Special Jury Mention: A Song For Ourselves , directed by Tadashi Nakamura
George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award: Mark Tran, director of All About Dad
Audience Award:
White on Rice , directed by
David Boyle
Notable Events and Appearances
[45]
2008 - 9th Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Dirty Hands: the Art & Crimes of David Choe , directed by Harry Kim
Narrative Feature: Santa Mesa , directed by Ron Morales
Documentary Feature: Shame , directed by Mohammed Naqvi
Narrative Short: Lady , directed by Wendy Cheng
Animated Short: Meat Days , directed by Joe Hsieh
Special Jury Mention: Damn the Past! , directed by Julie Kang
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Soon-Tek Oh
Notable Events and Appearances
2007 - 8th Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Cats of Mirikitani , directed by Linda Hattendorf
Narrative Feature:
Owl and the Sparrow , directed by
Stephane Gauger
Documentary Feature: Na Kamalei: The Men of Hula , directed by Lisette Flanary
Narrative Short: Monsoon , directed by Shyam Balse
Documentary Short: Mookey’s Story , directed by Carolyn Goossen & Daffodil Altan
Animated Short: City Paradise , directed by Gaelle Denis
Music video: Champion by Native Guns , directed by Patricio Ginelsa
Lifetime Achievement Award:
George Takei
2006 - 7th Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award:
Journey From the Fall , directed by
Ham Tran
Narrative Feature:
Eve & the Firehorse , directed by
Julia Kwan
Documentary Feature: Last Atomic Bomb , directed by Robert Richter
Narrative Short: Hiro , directed by Matthew Swanson
Animated Short: Mirage , directed by Youngwoon Jang
Experimental: Latent Sorrow , directed by Shon Kim
Music Video: Steal the Blueprints , directed by Chris Deaner
Special Jury Mention:
Colma: The Musical , directed by Richard Wong
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Kieu Chin
2005 - 6th Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Seibutsu: (Still Life) , directed by Joe Turner Lin
Narrative Feature:
The Motel , directed by
Michael Kang
Documentary Feature: And Thereafter , directed by Hosup Lee
Narrative Short: Summer of the Serpent , directed by Kimi Takesue
Documentary Short: Daastar: Defending Sikh Identity , directed by Kevin Lee
Animated Short: Public Bath , directed by Tak Hoon Kim
Experimental: 5 x 90: The Wake , directed by Samuel Kiehoon Lee
Music Video: Psychokinetics: The Vault , directed by Gene Celso
Visionary Award:
Saving Face , directed by
Alice Wu
Lifetime Achievement:
Joan Chen
2004 - 5th Anniversary
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award:
The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam , directed by
Ann Marie Fleming
Narrative Feature: First Morning , directed by
Victor Vu
Documentary Feature: The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam , directed by Ann Marie Fleming
Narrative Short: Sangam , directed by
Prashant Bhargava
Documentary Short: Yellow Brotherhood , directed by
Tadashi Nakamura
Animated Short:
Birthday Boy , directed by Sejong Park
Experimental: Balikbayan , directed by Larilyn Sanchez & Riza Manalo
Music Video: Skyflakes: Bad Thoughts , directed by Dino Ignacio
2003 - 4th Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Refugee , directed by Spencer Nakasako
Narrative Feature: Book of Rules , directed by Sung H. Kim
Documentary Feature:
Sleeping Tigers: The Asahi Baseball Story , directed by Jari Osborne
Narrative Short:
Anniversary , directed by
Ham Tran
Documentary Short: How to Make Kimchee , directed by Samuel Kiehoon Lee
Animated Short: Henry’s Garden , directed by Moon Seun
Experimental:
Nothing But Love , directed by Wen-Yao Chuang
2002 - 3rd Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Sophie , directed by
Helen Lee
Narrative Feature:
Charlotte Sometimes , directed by
Eric Byler
Documentary Feature: Journey for Lotus , directed by Eunhee Cha
Narrative Short:
Barrier Device , directed by Grace Lee
Documentary Short: BLT Genesis , directed by Evan Leong
Animated Short: Vessel Wrestling , directed by Lisa Yu
Experimental: Still I Rise , directed by
Umesh Shukla
2001 - 2nd Annual
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award:
Roads and Bridges , directed by
Abraham Lim
Narrative Feature: Dog Food (Azucena) , directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna
Documentary Feature: Made in China , directed by
Karin Lee
Narrative Short: Talk to Taka , directed by Richard Kim
Documentary Short: Bitter and Sweet , directed by Johanna Lee
Animated Short: Lint People , directed by Helder Sun
Experimental: Staccato Fugue , directed by Teo Carlo Pulgar
2000 - Festival Launch
Award Winners
Grand Jury Award: Karma Local , directed by Darshan Bhagat
Narrative Feature:
The Debut , directed by
Gene Cajayon
Documentary Feature: When You’re Smiling , directed by Janice Tanaka
Narrative Short: Mouse , directed by
Greg Pak
Documentary Short: Shit, the Movie , directed by Julie Gaw
Experimental: By this Parting , directed by Mieko Ouchi
References