The atmosphere was electrically-charged at the CGV Theatre complex on Thursday evening as excited fans of Taiwan hearthrob Leehom Wang descended on the tony envrions at 1 Wilshire in Hollywood to catch the premiere of the his new romantic comedy-feature "Love in Disguise".
As the buzz in the lobby escalated to a fever pitch, Festival Officials scrambled to put the finishes touches on the glittering closing night Gala party in the spacious courtyard below as a local DJ began to spin sizzling hot upbeat platters sure to get the crowd hopping.
The 2011 Edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival had been a huge success!
During the course of the week-long annual fest, excited film buffs stormed the venues and packed the houses, anxious to take in an eclectic program of flicks - short, experimental, highly original, feature-length, and documentary in style and nature.
Once the opening night kicked off with a premiere of "FAST FIV"E (which has since zoomed to a No. 1 spot at box offices around the country) there was no looking back.
Justin Lin, the director of the franchise film series - by the way - is an alumni of the LAAPFF.
One of his first celluloid offerings was unveiled at the fest about nine years ago.
As I noted in my feature on the Opening Night Celebrations, this year - according to Co-Director David Magdael - the LAAPFF was "bursting at the seams".
"In the first two days the opening and closing night galas were sold out," he beamed.
Indeed, on both occasions, I had to elbow my way through the swarms of excited ticket-holders in a bold-faced effort to snatch up a seat, and muzzle my way into the 'open bar" to secure thirst-quenching exotic cocktails on the house!
Last night, at the closing gala, thrilled upscale guests chatted each other up - as they nibbled on mouth-watering chicken wings and gobbled up delectable sweet treats that were simply divine.
Though normally a tea-totler, I jumped in with gay abandon, and tossed back a few potent drinkie-poohs.
By the end of the night, my head was swimming, and I was ready to boogie with all the other filmgoers hot-to-trot and at-the-ready to end this year's celebrated fest with a resounding BANG!
Meanwhile, earlier in the evening, the Fest Directors announced the winners of the coveted LAAPFF awards.
Here is a rundown:
2011 LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS
Documentary Feature:
Grand Jury Award
Documentary
THE HOUSE OF SUH
Directed by IRIS K. SHIM
Produced by GERRY KIM
Special Jury Award
Outstanding Director
IRIS K. SHIM
THE HOUSE OF SUH
Special Jury Award
Outstanding Cinematography
JASON WOODFORD
ONE BIG HAPA FAMILY
Special Jury Award
Outstanding Editing
JEFF CHIBA STEARNS
ONE BIG HAPA FAMILY
Special Jury
Prize for Human Rights
FINDING FACE
Directed by Skye Fitzgerald and Patti Duncan
Narrative Feature:
Grand Jury Award
Narrative Feature
LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES
Directed by Ian Gamazon and Produced by Quynn Ton
Special Jury Award
Outstanding Director
IAN GAMAZON
LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES
Special Jury Award
Outstanding Screenplay
STEPHANE GAUGER
SAIGON ELECTRIC
Special Jury Award
Outstanding Cinematography
GAVIN KELLY
WHERE THE ROAD MEETS THE SUN
Special Jury Award
Best Ensemble Acting
ERIC MABIUS, FERNANDO NORIEGA
WILL YUN LEE & LUKE BRANDON FIELD
WHERE THE ROAD MEETS THE SUN
Special Jury Award
Best First Feature
BANG BANG
Directed by BYRON Q
Special Jury Award
Breakout Performance for New Actor
RYAN GREENE
ONE KINE DAY
Directed by Chuck Mitsui
Short Film:
Festival Golden Reel Award
TEAMWORK
Directed by HONG SEO YUN
Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award
FIRECRACKER
Directed by SOHAM MEHTA
AUDIENCE AWARDS:
NARRATIVE FILM
RAKENROL
Directed by QUARK HENARES
DOCUMENTARY FILM
AMONG B-BOYS
Directed by Christopher Woon
For film fans who missed original first screenings last week, there wlll be an encore performance of a few this weekend at the CGV Theatre Complex.
The schedule is as follows:
SATURDAY MAY 7TH
11:00 AM
ITSY BITSY SHORTS 20...
1:00 PM
WHERE THE ROAD MEETS...
3:30 PM
BANG BANG
6:00 PM
AMONG B-BOYS
8:30 PM
BOY
See 'ya there!
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