To underscore its commitment to supporting Asian American filmmakers and recognizing their achievements, the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival inaugurated in 2005 a juried competition in two categories as well as audience awards. Winners are announced at the Closing Night Gala party.
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE AWARD
Presented to the best feature-length narrative film by or about Asian Americans or Asian Canadians, as selected by a three-person jury.
2011
Winner: THE IMPERIALISTS ARE STILL ALIVE!, Dir. Zeina Durra
Special Jury Prize: THE TAQWACORES, Dir. Eyad Zahra
2010
Winner: DEAR LEMON LIMA, Dir. Suzi Yoonessi
Special Jury Award: THE MOUNTAIN THIEF, Dir. Gerry Balasta
Jury Recognition for Visual Achievement: FOG, Dir. Kit Hui
2009
Winner: HALF-LIFE, Dir. Jennifer Phang
Special Jury Award: CHILDREN OF INVENTION, Dir. Tze Chun
2008
Winner: AMAL, Dir. Richie Mehta
Special Jury Award: [tie] ALWAYS BE BOYZ, Dir. John Kwon and SANTA MESA, Dir. Ron Morales
2007
Winner: OWL AND THE SPARROW, Dir. Stephane Gauger
Special Jury Award: TRE, Dir. Eric Byler
2006
Winner: PUNCHING AT THE SUN, Dir. Tanuj Chopra
Special Jury Award: COLMA: THE MUSICAL, Dir. Richard Wong
2005
Winner: THE MOTEL, Dir. Michael Kang
Special Jury Award: CAVITE, Dirs. Ian Gamazon & Neill Dela Llana
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AWARD
Presented to the best feature-length documentary film by or about Asian Americans or Asian Canadians, as selected by a three-person jury.
2011
Winner: MADE IN INDIA, Dirs. Rebecca Haimowitz and Vaishali Sinha
Visual Achievement Award: SUMMER PASTURE, Dirs. Lynn True and Nelson Walker
Award for Achievement in Citizen Journalism: OPEN SEASON, Dirs. Lu Lippold and Mark Tang
2010
Winner: WO AI NI MOMMY, Dir. Stephanie Wang-Breal
2009
Winner: THE MOSQUE IN MORGANTOWN, Dir. Brittany Huckabee
Special Jury Award: DIRTY HANDS: THE ART AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE, Dir. Harry Kim
2008
Winner: PLANET B-BOY, Dir. Benson LEE
Special Jury Award: WINGS OF DEFEAT, Dir. Risa Morimoto
2007
Winner: NEW YEAR BABY, Dir. Socheata Poeuv
Special Jury Award: A DREAM IN DOUBT, Dir. Tami Yeager
2006
Winner: ABDUCTION The Megumi Yokota Story, Dirs. Chris Sheridan & Patty Kim
Special Jury Award: CHINESE RESTAURANTS: LATIN PASSIONS, Dir. Cheuk Kwan
2005
Winner: WHAT’S WRONG WITH FRANK CHIN?, Dir. Curtis Choy
Special Jury Award: AND THEREAFTER, Dir. Hosup Lee
AUDIENCE AWARDS
The Audience Award is presented in two categories: Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature. Given to the feature film with the highest overall average as rated by members of the audience.
2011
Winner, Narrative: SURROGATE VALENTINE, Dir. Dave Boyle
Winner, Documentary: ONE VOICE, Dir. Lisette Marie Flanary
2010
Winner, Narrative: AU REVOIR TAIPEI, Dir. Arvin Chen
Winner, Documentary (tie): IN THE MATTER OF CHA JUNG HEE, Dir. Deann Borshay Liem, and A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES, Dir. S. Leo Chiang
2009
Winner, Narrative: FRUIT FLY, Dir. H.P. Mendoza
Winner, Documentary: PATSY MINK: AHEAD OF THE MAJORITY, Dir. Kimberlee Bassford
2008
Winner, Narrative: OM SHANTI OM, Dir. Farah Khan
Winner, Documentary: PLANET B-BOY, Dir. Benson Lee
2007
Winner, Narrative: AMERICAN PASTIME, Dir. Desmond Nakano
Winner, Documentary: NA KAMALEI: THE MEN OF HULA, Dir. Lisette Marie Flanary
2006
Winner, Narrative: [tie] JOURNEY FROM THE FALL, Dir. Ham Tran and WATER, Dir. Deepa Mehta
Winner, Documentary: SENTENCED HOME, Dirs. David Grabias & Nicole Newnham
2005
Winner, Narrative: [tie] SAVING FACE, Dir. Alice Wu and TURTLES CAN FLY, Dir. Bahman Ghobadi
Winner, Documentary: CONTINUOUS JOURNEY, Dir. Ali Kazimi
LONI DING AWARD IN SOCIAL ISSUE DOCUMENTARY
In 2011, CAAM presented the Loni Ding Award in Social Issue Documentary in memory of the filmmaker, educator and activist’s commitment to illuminating the experiences of underrepresented communities.
2011
Winner: ONCE UPON A ROOFTOP, Dir. Sybil Wendler
