CAAMFest 2015: Family Fun

Winning Girl.
Get ready for some family appropriate screenings at CAAMFest 2015!

UPDATE: Note the official venue change to New People for the Monday, March 16 9:10pm screening of The Sisterhood of Night. Actress Willa Cuthrell-Tuttleman will be in attendance.

Ready for an awesome adventure through the Bay Area with the rest of the family in tow? You’ve arrived at one of the best destinations for families. Here’s a guide to the family-appropriate screenings and events at this year’s CAAMFest, which takes place in San Francisco and the East Bay in Oakland and Berkeley.

How does taking a family selfie portrait in front of the Peace Pagoda in Japantown before crossing the street to New People Cinema to check out Winning Girl, a film about a 15 year-old girl training to become the first person to take home Olympic gold in both judo and wrestling, sound?

Or how about getting some delicious dim sum with the family in Chinatown before heading off to the historical Great Star Theater to catch My Voice, My Life, a film by Ruby Yang about a group of underachieving high school students who put on a musical? We’ve got you and your family covered at CAAMFest.

—Nancy Nguyen

Food for the Family

Everyone loves food. As my mom says all the time, if you want to bring a family together, promise them food. Both of our CAAMFeast Films are interactive as well, promising great film and food.

Lucky Chow

Lucky Chow
BRUCE SEIDEL / USA 2015 / 90 MINS
PBS series LUCKY CHOW follows LUCKYRICE culinary festival founder Danielle Chang as she travels across America, exploring the Asian food landscape. Featuring many of the country’s most renowned chefs and culinary stars such as TOP CHEF winner Kristen Kish, YouTube sensation Maangchi and Bay Area favorite Ramen Shop. As CAAMFest’s Closing Night feature, LUCKY CHOW’s six episodes will be showcased over two days and feature an Asian-inspired menu from The New Parkway kitchen.
SAT MAR 21 | 7:00PM | NEW PARKWAY
SUN MAR 22 | 7:00PM | NEW PARKWAY

Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Off the Menu: Asian America
GRACE LEE / USA 2015 / 60 MINS
CAAMFest favorite Grace Lee explores the contributions Asian Americans have made to the nation’s culinary landscape, with the growing mainstream popularity of foods like kimchi and sushi. As she travels across the country, Lee discovers how Asian Americans have transformed ethnic foods into new revolutionary cuisines, while reflecting on her own identity.
SUN MAR 15 | 2:20PM | CASTRO

 

Good Flicks for the Little Ones

Top Spin

Top Spin
SARA NEWENS & MINA T. SON / USA 2014 / 80 MINS
Dreaming to represent the United States in the 2012 London Olympics, Ariel, Lily and Michael face a lot more than just training and competing in the intense sport of table tennis. They’re all on a journey to get the “top spin,” balancing their teenage lives while focusing on the sport. Meet some of the players, who will be at the screening!
SUN MAR 22 | 12:30PM | NEW PARKWAY
(Additional screening SAT MAR 14 | 7:20PM | KABUKI – NOTE: Kabuki is a 21 and over only venue after 4:30PM)

Winning Girl

Winning Girl
KIMBERLY BASSFORD / USA 2014 / 69 MINS
Teenage wrestling and judo phenomenal Teshya Alo is a heavyweight on the mat at a paltry 125 pounds. The tenacious high-schooler has her eyes set on being the first to take home Olympic gold medals for judo and wrestling in the same year.
SAT MAR 14 | 5:00PM | NEW PEOPLE
TUES MAR 17 | 5:30PM | NEW PEOPLE

 

Good for Teens

Get the angsty teens to step away from their phone screens for a moment to watch the big screen!

Kollaboration SF: Movement in Motion

Kollaboration SF: Movement in Motion
HOWARD LUI / USA 2014 / 80 MINS
This energizing documentary explores the making of Kollaboration SF’s annual talent showcase. From exclusive interviews to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, director Howard Lui delves into what it takes to bring Kollaboration’s motto of “Empowerment through Entertainment” to life. The screening includes a musical performance from Kollaboration SF showcase veteran Tim Atlas.
SUN MAR 15 | 6:45PM | NEW PEOPLE
(additional screening WED MAR 18 | 9:10PM | NEW PEOPLE)

Love Arcadia

Love Arcadia
LAWRENCE GAN / USA 2014 / 99 MINS
When his family’s tea shop faces displacement by an alluring real estate mogul, Jake (Anthony Ma) must confront his fear of change. LOVE ARCADIA tells a coming-of-age story — by way of boba straw — that explores the lessons of holding on, letting go and loving with what you got.
SAT MAR 14 | 7:00PM | NEW PEOPLE
(additional screening THU MAR 19 | 9:30PM | NEW PEOPLE)

My Voice, My Life

My Voice, My Life
RUBY YANG / HONG KONG 2014 / 91 MINS / CANTONESE W/ E.S.
High school is often a period of awkward growth in most teens’ lives. MY VOICE, MY LIFE follows the production of a musical, “The Awakening,” by students from “lower-tier” high schools in Hong Kong, that seems to mirror a plotline straight from GLEE.
TUE MAR 17 | 7:00PM | GREAT STAR
SAT MAR 21 | 1:00PM | NEW PARKWAY

The Sisterhood of Night

The Sisterhood of Night
CARYN WAECHTER / USA 2014 / 103 MINS
The friendship between three high school girls leads to a series of increasingly dangerous events, throwing their community into a modern-day witch-hunt. SISTERHOOD pulls together a wide variety of cultural touchstones, from the Salem witch trials to cyberbullying, to show the power of silence and finding a voice.
SAT MAR 14 | 5:45PM | PFA
UPDATE: official venue change from KABUKI to NEW PEOPLE: MON MAR 16 | 9:10PM | NEW PEOPLE
(additional screening times: FRI MAR 13 | 7:00PM | KABUKI – NOTE: Kabuki is a 21 and over only venue after 4:30PM)

(L to R) Ahmed, Riyaz, and Hatim testing out camera equipment on Day 3 of classes.

Muslim Youth Voices 
This selection of shorts from CAAM’s Muslim Youth Voices Project’s inaugural year offers refresh­ing insight into the lives and stories of a diverse American community. Acclaimed filmmaker Musa Syeed worked with young students to craft these shorts in seven days. From personal reflections to heroic interventions, struggles of faith to strength in activism, each film is original and leaves a lasting impression.
SAT MAR 21 | 12:45PM | NEW PARKWAY | FREE

 

Youth Voices on China

1990 Institute: Youth Voices on China 
The Youth Voices on China online video contest is the 1990 Institute’s signature education initiative to foster better global awareness among young Americans. Enjoy an exclusive premiere of the final­ists’ videos on what China means to them and their futures. Meet the middle school, high school and college division winners.
SAT MAR 14 | 12:00PM | NEW PEOPLE | FREE

 

 

Places to check out near the venues!

New People: Kinokuniya Mall; Belly Good Cafe & Crepes, Kinokuniya Bookstore, Kinokuniya Mall Arcade, the Peace Plaza, Japantown

Great Star Theater: Chinatown, Chinese Culture Center, Chinese Historical Society, Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, Gateway to Chinatown

New Parkway: The kids’ menu at the theater!

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