The 26th SFIAAFF is proud to announce its 2008 award winners in the categories of Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature.

Narrative Competition

The Best Narrative Award is presented to the best feature-length narrative film by or about Asian Americans and Asian Canadians, as selected by a three-person jury that included independent filmmaker and playwright Philip Gotanda, Gina Kwon, independent producer of projects including Miranda July’s "You and me and Everyone We Know," and Academy Award winning screenwriter Iris Yamashita.

This year’s Narrative Competition consisted of 9 exciting new films, including 5 world premieres, that took on issues ranging from love and sex to table tennis. These films provoke, entertain and exhibit some of the best in Asian American cinema.

Congratulations to "Amal," by director Richie Mehta, winner of this year’s Best Narrative Award.

In this remarkable film debut, the director demonstrates an uncannily mature command of craft, story-telling and direction. In telling this classic tale of morality, the director has created a perfectly pitched film, full of wonderfully understated performances and subtly beautiful moments.

For the Narrative Competition Special Jury Prize, the jurors felt there were two films equally deserving the award. Both presented the best of independent filmmaking: the telling of stories full of heart and honesty; the dedication to portraying authentic worlds; and the commitment to their specific visions.

Congratulations to "Always Be Boyz," directed by Johnny Kwon, and Santa Mesa, directed by Ron Morales, this year’s Special Jury Prize winners in the Narrative Competition.

Documentary Competition

The Best Documentary Award is presented to the best feature-length documentary film by or about Asian Americans or Asian Canadians, as selected by a three-person jury that included Kathryn Lo, Associate Director of Program Development and Independent Film at PBS, Stanley Nelson, Bay Area-based documentary filmmaker, and Celine Parrenas Shimizu, Associate Professor of Asian American, Film and Women’s Studies at UC Santa Barbara.

This year’s Documentary Competition included seven documentaries that explored some of the most pressing and intriguing issues in Asian America. Far-reaching, personal, uplifting and thought-provoking, these select films prove themselves heavy contenders in the genre of documentary filmmaking.

Congratulations to "Planet B-Boy," directed by Benson Lee, this year’s Best Documentary Award winner.

"Planet B-Boy" combines form and content to tell a story that is constantly entertaining and exciting. A story that gets at universal truths while dancing it’s way to our hearts.

For the Documentary Competition Special Jury Prize, the jury chose a film that tells the story of Kamikaze pilots during WWII in a way that is both universal and personnel. A film that brilliantly uses archival footage, animation and interviews to tell this harrowing and remarkable story.

Congratulations to "Wings of Defeat," directed by Risa Morimoto, winner of this year’s Special Jury Prize in the Documentary Competition.

Legendary Korean film director Hong Sang-soo was honored with a film retrospective at the 2007 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. This was a true pleasure for enthusiasts of Asian cinema, as Hong Sang-soo’s work is notoriously difficult to find on this side of the Pacific, despite its international critical acclaim.

Sang-soo weaves paradoxical themes throughout his films as he examines the human condition; defined and contradicted by sexuality, morality, gender, intimacy, isolation, mortality, etc.

Retrospective films screened included:

TURNING GATE
WOMAN ON THE BEACH
THE DAY A PIG FELL INTO A WELL
WOMAN IS THE FUTURE OF MAN
TALE OF CINEMA,
and his most recent film, WOMAN ON THE BEACH.

The retrospective included a Q&A forum where the audience could ask questions about and discuss themes of his illustrious cinematic oeuvre.

Best Narrative Feature: “Owl and the Sparrow”
Directed by: Stephane Gauger

Special Jury Award: “Tre”
Directed by: Eric Byler

Special Mention: Actor Ken Leung, star of “Shanghai Kiss and Year of the Fish”

Best Documentary Feature: “New Year Baby”
Directed by: Socheata Poeuv

Special Jury Award: “A Dream in Doubt”
Directed by: Tami Yeager

Comcast Audience Award (Narrative): “American Pastime”
Directed by: Desmond Nakano

Comcast Audience Award (Documentary): “Na Kamalei: The Men of Hula”
Directed by: Lisette Marie Flanary