THOUSANDS EXPECTED FOR 10TH SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL’S LARGEST, LONGEST PROGRAM

The San Diego Asian Film Festival is excited to announce its tenth season which runs OCTOBER 15-29, 2009 at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center. In celebration of its 10th Anniversary, the Festival is offering its longest, largest, and most dynamic program. More than 200 films will premiere from 20 countries including Canada, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the U.S. “It’s unbelievable we’re able to offer so much during a year when the economy was at its worst. But films offer an affordable getaway and an enriching experience that we expect our largest audience ever,” says executive director, Lee Ann Kim. “We are indebted to our board, members, and sponsors who share our mission in connecting audiences with the human experience through film. Without their commitment and generosity, we could never have pulled this festival together.” Major sponsors include Toyota, Barona Casino, Netflix, Stella Artois, and Harrah’s Rincon. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: * Opening night film on Thursday, October 15 with the premiere of CHILDREN OF INVENTION, a critically-acclaimed Sundance film directed by Tze Chun. * Closing night film on Thursday, October 29 with the action-packed premiere of IP MAN directed by Wilson Yip, based on the life of Bruce Lee’s wing-chun master * Centerpiece – the West Coast premiere of John Woo’s epic war film, RED CLIFF, known as the most expensive movie ever produced in Asia * Special Film Spotlights on North Korea (3 feature films and panel discussion), Taiwan (4 feature films), and Japanese Extreme films * Thanks to Target, we are offering 10 Free Films at 4PM throughout the festival * Festival’s first Bollywood films – TANDORI LOVE and OM SHANTI OM * Thirteen short film programs including our popular all-animation program ANIMATION: THE ILLUSION OF LIFE and REEL VOICES, a free showcase of films by local high school students * Special events include: Blowfish – a live hip hop concert, a live comedy night, an 800-seat Gala Awards Dinner, an actors workshop, a panel with stuntmen and a panel with Youtube celebs. This year, the Festival is heavily promoting Cancer Awareness through a series of cancer-themed films, PSAs that run before all film programs, and a public origami art project to make 1,000 paper cranes which will be donated to a local cancer patient. Discounted tickets and value packs (4 and 10 tickets) are available online until October 11. Tickets can be purchased at the Hazard Center UltraStar box office starting October 13. Festival updates are available on cell phone by texting “SDAFF” to 53137. For ticketing info, film details, and schedule, please go to www.SDAFF.org.