By Maria Esteves – August 7, 2015

The 38th Asian American International Film Festival 2015 (AAIFF15) Closing Night Awards Ceremony hosted by executive director John Woo and festival director Judy Lei, Asian Cinevision, honoring the best independent cinema and emerging directors by Asian and Asian American descent was held at the Museum of Moving Images, Queens, New York, Saturday, August 1, 8:30pm. LIVE FROM UB received two awards including Emerging Director LAUREN KNAPP. AAIFF15 jurors included Theresa Navarro, Patrick Wang and John Woo.

The Asian American International Film Festival founded Asian Cinevision, Inc. (ACV) in 1987, is a national media arts organization that annually presents independent cinema by Asian and Asian Americans, panel discussions, special events, screenplay competition readings, gala receptions and after parties. This year’s festival showcased over 50 films from 9 different countries, 2 World Premieres, and 15 New York Premieres.

AAIFF15 Best Short Award winner, director
Steve Maing, THE SURRENDER.

AAIFF15 One To Watch Award winner, director
Adler Yang, IF THERE IS A REASON TO STUDY.

The AAIFF 2015 winners by category are:

Audience Choice Award

FACTORY BOSS, directed by Zhang Wei (Narrative)

LIVE FROM UB, directed by Lauren Knapp (Documentary)

Emerging Director

JUAN MARTIN HSU for La Salada (Narrative)

JULY JUNG for A Girl at my Door (Narrative)

LAUREN KNAPP for Live From UB (Documentary)

Best Short

THE SURRENDER, directed by Stephen Maing

The Surrender from stephen maing on Vimeo.

One To Watch Award

IF THERE IS A REASON TO STUDY, directed by Adler Yang (Shorts, For Youth By Youth)

Screenplay Competition Award

TIMOTHY DRAIN for East of Western