By Maria Esteves – August 6, 2012

The 35th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF12) Closing Awards Ceremony was held at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas, New York, Sunday, August 5, 2012, 7:00 pm. AAIFF12 Closing Night New York Premiere of KNOTS, directed by Michael Kang immediately followed. AAIFF12 Closing Night after party commenced at 10:00pm at DUO Lounge, New York.

The award acknowledges the best in Asian American filmmaking and emerging directors. The awards were announced by artist Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai,YellowGurl.com.

Since 1987, AAIFF founded by Asian Cinevision, Inc. (ACV), is a non-profit national media arts organization that annually presents international films of Asian descent. ACV staff and board members include John C. Woo, Martha C.M. Tien, Sophia Giddens, Judy Lei, Greg Chew, and Jackie McCaffrey.

The winners of the AAIFF12 Awards were judged by:

John Anderson - Film Critic, Variety, Newsday, the Wall Street Journal, America magazine

Rose Kuo - Executive Director, Film Society of Lincoln Center

Wing Lee - Art Director/Production Designer, A Great Wall (1986)

Buboo Jakobsson - Emmy-winning writer, filmmaker, documentarian

Ken Leung - Actor, Lost, Shanghai Kiss, Falling for Grace, Year of the Fish

Cindi Rowell - Producer, New Yorker Films

This year's film festival included 12 premieres, 14 features, and 33 shorts as well as filmmaker’s panel discussions, special events, opening night gala, and after parties.

AAIFF12 presenters were Asia Cinevision (ACV) with Asia Society. The proud sponsors included Art Works, AARP, Asian On Film, Asian American Film Lab, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York Times Community Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Macys, MOCA, Wells Fargo, and Woo Creative.

AAIFF12 ceremony included five awards within four categories. The awards were presented to the following winners:

Audience Choice Award, presented by Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai to director Jayshree Janu Kharpade for FIRE IN OUR HEART. AAIFF accepted the award on behalf of director Kharpade.

Excellence in Short Filmmaking Award, presented by Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai to director Liang Chang for MY SPIRITUAL MEDICINE. Actor Takahiro Morooka accepted the award on behalf of director Chang.

Jury Award, presented by Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai to director Vincent Sandoval for SENORITA.

Best Documentary Feature Award, presented by Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai to director Eliaichi Kimaro for A LOT LIKE YOU. AAIFF accepted the award on behalf of director Kimaro.

Best Narrative Feature Award, presented by Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai to director Lily Mariye for MODEL MINORITY.

AAIFF12 Best Narrative Feature Award winner, director Lily
Mariye, MODEL MINORITY, right, and AAIFF award announcer,
Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai.